R. R. Branstrom | Daily Press A couple walks along Lake Shore Drive in an area under consideration for classification as a historic district in Escanaba. One of the two houses seen was deemed a “contributing resource” in a report released earlier this year.

ESCANABA — On Dec. 18, the city of Escanaba’s Historic District Commission (HDC) — whose role is to guide the city towards regulation and preservation of areas of significance — held their final meeting of the year. A major point of discussion was the proposed historic district known as the “Ogden Triangle.”

The HDC, as it is defined in the city’s code of ordinances, organizes to “act as a resource for economic development” as a sort of advisory board to the city council. They research ways to preserve districts “which reflect elements of its history, architecture, archaeology, engineering, or culture” so that they may appeal to both prospective residents and tourists. Recognizing these districts enables them to contribute to the “education, pleasure and welfare of the citizens of the City of Escanaba and of the State of Michigan.”

The commission gathers quarterly with the purpose of establishing and promoting historic districts to, in part, improve property values and boost the local economy. Currently, the city of Escanaba has only one designated historic district containing just a single building. The structure at 1615 Ludington Street, completed in 1901 as the Richter Brewery, holds that sole honor. A second district has been proposed, and its suggested boundaries include 180 structures, primarily residential.

“Part of a historic district is that it not only is a display of the buildings — it’s not all about the buildings; it’s about the place,” said Escanaba Planning and Zoning Administrator Tyler Anthony, who serves as Administrative Liaison for the HDC. “It’s about landscape features; it’s about paths and sidewalks and streets. It’s about the whole thing. Because all those factors to contribute to the historic character of a place.”

In August of 2021, Certified Local Government Coordinator Alan Higgins from the Michigan State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) came to Escanaba to help survey the triangular region bounded by 1st Avenue South on the north, South 7th Street to the west, and Lake Shore Drive on the southeast. The area was chosen by city staff because of its mention in the city’s 2016 master plan for its “high concentration of historic structures deserving to be preserved for the community.” It is also highlighted by SHPO itself in a map of areas of consideration for their significance.

Due to delays caused by the pandemic, the summary report of the inventory conducted by Higgins was completed in April of this year by the HDC. The report states, “much of the built environment dates between the 1880s and 1930s, reflecting Escanaba’s principal period of growth and residential development.” Of the 180 properties inventoried, 98 were designated as resources “contributing” to the overall historic character of the area. The 82 “non-contributing” properties were either constructed after the period of significance of had undergone alterations that compromised the original integrity.

Since the report on the Ogden Triangle was done, two contributing resources are no longer. One house was destroyed by fire, and another was “remodeled beyond recognition,” according to Anthony.

Under ordinary circumstances, nothing beyond regular laws and zoning ordinances prevents homeowners from making modifications to their yards and houses. If an area were to become a historic district, there would be some restrictions to what type of work could be done, applying to exteriors only. People living in historic districts would also have the benefit of access to certain resources.

“The reason that we want to do this is there’s a lot of advantages — loans, and grants, and information, and contacts,” said Karen Moore, Escanaba City Council liaison to the HDC. “Lots of people who have an older house like to find the history of their house … so that’s part of it, too.”

Tax incentives from the federal government are offered for certain historic renovations. Regarding the Historic Preservation Tax Incentives Program and Historic Preservation Grants, the U.S. Department of the Interior states that the economic, social, and cultural benefits “are numerous and have enhanced the quality of life for Americans in cities and towns throughout the country. In every place these programs operate, they make communities more livable while preserving our nation’s history for present and future generations.”

Both Moore and Anthony mentioned that some people are hesitant to accept historic districts because they interpret the regulations as being akin to those of homeowners associations (HOAs), which have a poor reputation.

“It doesn’t come with the same baggage that an HOA does,” said Anthony. “An HOA is just … neighbors held to no standards but their own, and they can write their own rules. Historic District Commissions cannot. They have to abide by state standards and local standards, and they are beholden to the court system.”

The summary report of the Ogden Triangle was just a preliminary survey of one area up for consideration. Ultimately, it will be up to the people of Escanaba to make their voices known to the city council. The next step will be the formation of a “historic district study committee” made up of members of the community.

The goal of the study committee — who Anthony said will act as “boots on the ground” for gathering intel — is to determine whether residents of Escanaba support the formation of historic districts within the city.

“They’re going to gather facts. They’re going to have public hearings. They’re going to listen to people and see what they want,” Moore said. “And if it’s a desired goal, then they can recommend that this go forward.”

Moore also emphasized that the Ogden Triangle was just the first area surveyed. “There’s a whole bunch of beautiful houses further south, and there’s a whole bunch of them further west,” she said. “If we decided to do this historical district, we can expand boundaries.”

Historic districts do not need to be contiguous.

Soon, Escanaba’s HDC will seek applications from individuals who wish to join the study committee. Ideally, its members will include representatives from the HDC, the Delta County Historical Society, and the city of Escanaba administration; citizens who reside within the proposed district; and an architect.

“Anybody from the city, if they have any interest in architecture or historic preservation, then we would welcome them,” said Moore.