Commission approves grant-backed restoration for 14 West Chicago; discusses repairs at 16 West Chicago
April 16, 2024 | Coldwater, Branch County, Michigan
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The Downtown Historic District Commission approved facade restoration for 14 West Chicago Street and discussed related repairs at 16 West Chicago during its April 15 meeting.
Staff said 16 West Chicago was not selected for facade restoration funding but the owners plan to proceed with repairs; the board will include the 16 West work in internal files (referred to as HCC 24-02). For 14 West, the owners requested and received grant-backed approval to repair and restore the front facade, remove and restore front windows, and paint window trim.
Mr. Wood, representing the owners, outlined plans to repair spalling mortar, use appropriate cleaners for stains, and remove plywood on the front to restore original window frames. For 16 West, he said windows in the rear would be replaced with aluminum units that mimic original profiles while the front would receive repair and protective clear coating rather than full repainting by the grant contractor.
Commissioners raised material durability concerns, with one noting that vinyl can deteriorate and that aluminum may be longer lasting. The owner said aluminum would likely be used on the rear windows and the restoration company would handle front-window restoration for 14 West.
Speaker 2 moved to approve HDC 24-02 for facade restoration at 14 West Chicago Street; Speaker 1 seconded. A voice vote carried the motion. The commission later assigned administrative tracking for related files and noted that some cosmetic painting at 16 West may be handled outside the grant-funded contractor.
The approval covers restoration work on the front facade and specified window restoration for 14 West; the transcript does not specify dollar amounts or precise contractor schedules.
Staff said 16 West Chicago was not selected for facade restoration funding but the owners plan to proceed with repairs; the board will include the 16 West work in internal files (referred to as HCC 24-02). For 14 West, the owners requested and received grant-backed approval to repair and restore the front facade, remove and restore front windows, and paint window trim.
Mr. Wood, representing the owners, outlined plans to repair spalling mortar, use appropriate cleaners for stains, and remove plywood on the front to restore original window frames. For 16 West, he said windows in the rear would be replaced with aluminum units that mimic original profiles while the front would receive repair and protective clear coating rather than full repainting by the grant contractor.
Commissioners raised material durability concerns, with one noting that vinyl can deteriorate and that aluminum may be longer lasting. The owner said aluminum would likely be used on the rear windows and the restoration company would handle front-window restoration for 14 West.
Speaker 2 moved to approve HDC 24-02 for facade restoration at 14 West Chicago Street; Speaker 1 seconded. A voice vote carried the motion. The commission later assigned administrative tracking for related files and noted that some cosmetic painting at 16 West may be handled outside the grant-funded contractor.
The approval covers restoration work on the front facade and specified window restoration for 14 West; the transcript does not specify dollar amounts or precise contractor schedules.
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