Michigan City Historic Preservation Commission approves multiple COAs, tables one facade project
June 22, 2026 | Kingsford Heights, LaPorte County, Indiana
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The Michigan City Historic Preservation Commission met June 22 and approved a batch of Certificates of Appropriateness for repairs and alterations across the city, voting to approve roof replacements, tuckpointing and several window projects but tabling a larger facade rehabilitation for more information.
The commission approved the completion of work at 801 Washington Street (COA 2026-024) to finish window replacements started under a 2016 approval. Applicant Alexander Kustaf said he and co-owner Samuel Diaz sought to "finish the job to have everything consistent" by installing white casement-style windows from the same manufacturer. Indiana Landmarks advised against wholesale vinyl replacement and urged repair or refurbishment where feasible, but commissioners approved the presented plan to complete previously started work.
At 615 Spring Street (COA 2026-026) the commission split its decision. The front bay window, visible on the facade, will be repaired with like materials; commissioners approved that repair. For the north, south and west sides the commission separately approved vinyl insert replacements to preserve the building until fuller restoration is feasible. The applicant told the commission he had quotes and intends to repair the facade window where possible.
The commission approved a multi-part request for 209 York Street (COA 2026-027): a roof replacement, vinyl window inserts conditioned to replicate the historic divided‑light appearance with staff review before ordering, and tuckpointing to be performed with mortar mixes approved by staff. Owner Kenneth Pers stressed the extent of existing deterioration and said reparative work was needed to prevent water infiltration; commissioners repeatedly cited water damage and building preservation as factors in their votes.
Other approvals included:
- COA 2026-028 (124 West 4th Street): a ~1,000 sq. ft. rear addition for the Ritz Club Tavern, approved with a condition that exterior siding/samples and colors be submitted for staff and commission review; the applicant presented materials samples during the meeting.
- COA 2026-030 & 2026-031 (225 East 9th Street): approval of a slightly enlarged concrete patio and a six-foot cedar "dog ear" privacy fence.
- COA 2026-032 (902 Franklin Street): a set of approvals for rebuilds and repairs to parapet walls, addition of two courses of CMU on an alley wall, adding an alley entrance door, repairing parapet caps, removing an unsafe chimney and modifying alley‑facing windows with staff confirmation of the window type.
- COA 2026-033 (913 Washington Street): approval to replace two windows that are visible from the alley, with staff guidance encouraged on materials.
- COA 2026-034 (613 Washington Street): approval for a roof replacement using a membrane and specified flashing details.
- COA 2026-035: commission accepted a staff-level approval for a rear shingle replacement reported by staff.
One application was tabled. COA 2026-029 (815 Franklin Street) — a proposed facade rehabilitation and storefront redesign — was postponed because the applicant had not provided sufficient documentation and no representative was present; Indiana Landmarks had detailed concerns about massing, materials and proposed storefront elements.
Indiana Landmarks' staff repeatedly recommended repairing original windows where possible and advised alternatives to full vinyl sash/frame insert replacements. In its report staff stated, "replacing the windows with vinyl windows is not recommended," language commissioners cited but sometimes weighed against financial constraints and immediate preservation concerns. One commissioner said fiberglass is a preferable alternative to vinyl for longevity, but acknowledged cost constraints when owners seek less expensive options.
The meeting also included a staff announcement about tightened submission timelines and workflow changes: incomplete or unpaid applications will not be placed on agendas the same day and the department is digitizing its permitting and review processes.
By the end of the meeting the commission had approved the listed COAs, instructed several applicants to provide color or material samples to staff before order/installation, and set a follow-up for the tabled 815 Franklin Street item.
Votes at a glance:
COA 2026-024 (801 Washington St.) — approved to complete previously started window replacements (Indiana Landmarks had recommended repair) — outcome: approved.
COA 2026-026 (615 Spring St.) — front bay window: repair approved; sides/rear: vinyl inserts approved with staff oversight — outcome: approved (two separate motions).
COA 2026-027 (209 York St.) — roof, windows (vinyl inserts with historic replicating condition), tuckpointing — outcome: approved.
COA 2026-028 (124 W. 4th St.) — rear 1,000 sq. ft. addition — approved with siding/color sample condition.
COA 2026-029 (815 Franklin St.) — facade/storefront rehab — outcome: tabled for additional materials.
COA 2026-030 (225 E. 9th St.) — patio replacement/enlargement — approved.
COA 2026-031 (225 E. 9th St.) — cedar fence — approved.
COA 2026-032 (902 Franklin St.) — parapet/roof/door/window repairs and rebuilds — approved with conditions.
COA 2026-033 (913 Washington St.) — two windows replaced — approved.
COA 2026-034 (613 Washington St.) — roof replacement — approved.
COA 2026-035 — staff approval accepted by commission.
The commission closed the meeting after a staff reminder on submission deadlines and a note that facade grant programs remain available to qualifying properties.
The commission approved the completion of work at 801 Washington Street (COA 2026-024) to finish window replacements started under a 2016 approval. Applicant Alexander Kustaf said he and co-owner Samuel Diaz sought to "finish the job to have everything consistent" by installing white casement-style windows from the same manufacturer. Indiana Landmarks advised against wholesale vinyl replacement and urged repair or refurbishment where feasible, but commissioners approved the presented plan to complete previously started work.
At 615 Spring Street (COA 2026-026) the commission split its decision. The front bay window, visible on the facade, will be repaired with like materials; commissioners approved that repair. For the north, south and west sides the commission separately approved vinyl insert replacements to preserve the building until fuller restoration is feasible. The applicant told the commission he had quotes and intends to repair the facade window where possible.
The commission approved a multi-part request for 209 York Street (COA 2026-027): a roof replacement, vinyl window inserts conditioned to replicate the historic divided‑light appearance with staff review before ordering, and tuckpointing to be performed with mortar mixes approved by staff. Owner Kenneth Pers stressed the extent of existing deterioration and said reparative work was needed to prevent water infiltration; commissioners repeatedly cited water damage and building preservation as factors in their votes.
Other approvals included:
- COA 2026-028 (124 West 4th Street): a ~1,000 sq. ft. rear addition for the Ritz Club Tavern, approved with a condition that exterior siding/samples and colors be submitted for staff and commission review; the applicant presented materials samples during the meeting.
- COA 2026-030 & 2026-031 (225 East 9th Street): approval of a slightly enlarged concrete patio and a six-foot cedar "dog ear" privacy fence.
- COA 2026-032 (902 Franklin Street): a set of approvals for rebuilds and repairs to parapet walls, addition of two courses of CMU on an alley wall, adding an alley entrance door, repairing parapet caps, removing an unsafe chimney and modifying alley‑facing windows with staff confirmation of the window type.
- COA 2026-033 (913 Washington Street): approval to replace two windows that are visible from the alley, with staff guidance encouraged on materials.
- COA 2026-034 (613 Washington Street): approval for a roof replacement using a membrane and specified flashing details.
- COA 2026-035: commission accepted a staff-level approval for a rear shingle replacement reported by staff.
One application was tabled. COA 2026-029 (815 Franklin Street) — a proposed facade rehabilitation and storefront redesign — was postponed because the applicant had not provided sufficient documentation and no representative was present; Indiana Landmarks had detailed concerns about massing, materials and proposed storefront elements.
Indiana Landmarks' staff repeatedly recommended repairing original windows where possible and advised alternatives to full vinyl sash/frame insert replacements. In its report staff stated, "replacing the windows with vinyl windows is not recommended," language commissioners cited but sometimes weighed against financial constraints and immediate preservation concerns. One commissioner said fiberglass is a preferable alternative to vinyl for longevity, but acknowledged cost constraints when owners seek less expensive options.
The meeting also included a staff announcement about tightened submission timelines and workflow changes: incomplete or unpaid applications will not be placed on agendas the same day and the department is digitizing its permitting and review processes.
By the end of the meeting the commission had approved the listed COAs, instructed several applicants to provide color or material samples to staff before order/installation, and set a follow-up for the tabled 815 Franklin Street item.
Votes at a glance:
COA 2026-024 (801 Washington St.) — approved to complete previously started window replacements (Indiana Landmarks had recommended repair) — outcome: approved.
COA 2026-026 (615 Spring St.) — front bay window: repair approved; sides/rear: vinyl inserts approved with staff oversight — outcome: approved (two separate motions).
COA 2026-027 (209 York St.) — roof, windows (vinyl inserts with historic replicating condition), tuckpointing — outcome: approved.
COA 2026-028 (124 W. 4th St.) — rear 1,000 sq. ft. addition — approved with siding/color sample condition.
COA 2026-029 (815 Franklin St.) — facade/storefront rehab — outcome: tabled for additional materials.
COA 2026-030 (225 E. 9th St.) — patio replacement/enlargement — approved.
COA 2026-031 (225 E. 9th St.) — cedar fence — approved.
COA 2026-032 (902 Franklin St.) — parapet/roof/door/window repairs and rebuilds — approved with conditions.
COA 2026-033 (913 Washington St.) — two windows replaced — approved.
COA 2026-034 (613 Washington St.) — roof replacement — approved.
COA 2026-035 — staff approval accepted by commission.
The commission closed the meeting after a staff reminder on submission deadlines and a note that facade grant programs remain available to qualifying properties.
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