MI-SHPO's The List: 2008

Tuesday, December 30, 2008

The List - Week of December 21, 2008

So, as might be expected, this is a pretty slow news week. There are, however, a couple things I'd like to point out. Before we get to that I'd like to share some other things with you... Many of us know how sweet Google Earth is (as is street view in Maps). Whether you've used GE or not, check out this before and after of New York City after a recent update.

Next, readers of The List might be aware of my fascination with the intersection of stupidity and crime. I'm amazed at how ill thought out so many plans are. The one that intrigued me the most this week is this one. It seems a couple were living in a rented, fully-furnished house, and when they went to move, they sold the furnishings in a garage sale. Now, if that's not bad enough, the woman was arrested during a traffic stop, and her deft husband soon joined her when he was arrested when he came to bail her out.

Alright, one more... I can't not pass this along. Now, I love a good burger... I love the smell of the grill... it's one of things I like about summer. HOWEVER, I think I have to draw the line at eating a burger and not smelling like one. What am I talking about.. well... it seems the good folks over at the BK felt the need to capture the "the sent of seduction, with a hint of flame-broiled meat." No, I'm not joking. You can get your Flame body spray for $3.99 here.

Aye yi yi...

Anyway, back to what I wanted to point out in this week's list... in the HP section, there is a story in Crain's that discusses new bills aimed at enhancing the potential of historic preservation efforts throughout Michigan. This is huge! We'll have more to say on this next month. Also in the HP section, the story about historical markers in Idlewild is sort of incorrect... well, just the headline. The markers will be placed in Idlewild, there not up yet. Tune in over the coming months to find out when they'll be dedicated.

Well, that's it. Next week's list will be short as well. I'll be cutting it off on the 31st and beginning the new year mid-week. Why? Because I'd like to a year-in-review, and it'll be easier to do it without having to figure out which emails are from December and which are from January.

Have a safe and happy new year,
Todd

HISTORIC PRESERVATION

Armory Arts Village artists fear project is losing focus - Jackson

1887 house still looks the same - Ann Arbor

Volunteers add sparkle to Felt mansion - Laketown Township

Owners of downtown Rowe building seeking federal loan to keep project on track - Flint

New bills would expand potential of historic restoration in Michigan

100 Yr Old Pewabic Tile Company Leading Industry (text) and (audio) - Detroit

Next up for EMU, renovation of Pray-Harrold - Ypsilanti

New historical marker placed in Idlewild

Berridge development, hotel deal keep downtown Flint on track

Detroit's flagship hotel shines again

COOL CITIES, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, AND PLANNING

$85 million project set for downtown - Battle Creek

Will high-tech fuel a regional rebirth near Pfizer site? - Ann Arbor

If we build, we must build smart

The Cities of the Arsenal of Democracy (text) and (audio)

No plans yet for empty General Motors plant sites - Lansing

Washtenaw Land Trust protects 25 more acres in Whitmore Lake

Mission Hill could be the catalyst - Green Oak Township

Rebirth of downtown Muskegon Heights under way

ARCHAEOLOGY, ARCHITECTURE, ARTS & CULTURE, AND ASSORTED ANECDOTES

A Master Bricklayer Preserves His Craft

Harrison Street reconstruction could uncover Indian remains, Bay City officials say

Smartshop Metal Arts Center Offers Classes - Kalamazoo

Hang time: Social club gives old pals a place to spend their days - Detroit

Buy American: Shoppers strive to buy products made in the U.S.

Make Motown greats art, Reeves says - Detroit

AIA Detroit Names Ireland, Zechmeister as Honorary Members

Pulitzer-winning photos in "Capture the Moment" at Saginaw's Castle Museum of Saginaw County History

AIA Detroit Selects Roberts as its Young Architect of the Year

INTERESTING BOOKS AND WEBSITES

http://www.simplymichigan.com/

PLACES NOT CALLED MICHIGAN

Central Brussels makeover planned - Brussels, Belgium

Monday, December 22, 2008

The List - Week of December 21, 2008

Since this is a short week, and there a few things I need to get done, I'm going to keep the commentary to a minimum. There are, however, a few things I want to point out. First, I'd like to bid a fond farewell and best wishes to the Department of History, Arts and Libraries director, Bill Anderson, who is retiring at the end of the year. You can read the Governor's announcement here.

Though not HP-related, I was amazed and excited to read that the US government has authorized the construction of the nation's first commercial spaceport in New Mexico. For a mere $200,000 you can fly 62 miles into space for a suborbital flight lasting about 4 minutes. You can read the article here.

Ok, that's it... Have a happy and safe holiday week, and til we meet again.
Todd

HISTORIC PRESERVATION

Residents settle into downtown Scrap Yard Lofts - Holland

Historic Fort Shelby Hotel to reopen as Doubletree - Detroit

Brighton shopping district works to promote city

Southwest Housing granted $300K to redevelop former cigar factory on Michigan Ave. - Detroit

Historic Downtown Detroit Hotel Landmark Re-Opens with $90 Million Restoration as a Doubletree Guest Suites(R) Hotel

Editorial: The real lesson of Fort Shelby's return - Detroit

Demolition begins along river in Leland

Detroit hotels' modern twist on history

Berridge Hotel renovations complete; Hotel set to open as loft apartment complex - Flint

Workers finish restoring Midway Theater façade in Dearborn

Developer turns old industrial building in Ferndale into creative class center

Lincoln Park preservation group goes viral with video to save buildings

West Grand Blvd's Lee Plaza building shopped to developers - Detroit

Poster depicts garages and vintage cars in one of Saginaw's oldest neighborhoods

RFP deadline for Saline building extended

Restored Midland County church features a stained glass window made in 1888 - Jaspers Township

COOL CITIES, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, AND PLANNING

DDA event allows residents to discover downtown again - Jackson

Price to heal Muskegon Lake: $29M

Acres of barren blocks offer chance to reinvent Detroit

Granholm: New Projects Bring New Jobs to MI

$45 million in new construction projects possible at University of Michigan campus in Ann Arbor

Projects expected to receive tax incentives

Grand Rapids’ proposed streetcar system could be rolling by 2012

University of Michigan expected to purchase Pfizer site in Ann Arbor

Woodward Action looks to help fund next streetscape project

Downtown poised for turnaround year - South Lyon

Grant awarded in place of rail stop - Inkster

Lawmakers approve $279 million Cobo Center expansion - Detroit

MDEQ antes up $2 million toward Parchment project

Fowlerville set for changes

Saving The Industrial Heartland

Frank talks with Soji Adelaja about the poll concerning local governments and their strategies in the current economic times

ARCHAEOLOGY, ARCHITECTURE, ARTS & CULTURE, AND ASSORTED ANECDOTES

Michigan Central Depot opens doors - Detroit

Jane Robinson leaving Armory Arts - Jackson

Mini-grants fund $26,800 in Kalamazoo-area arts projects

MotorCities National Heritage Area Receives Unprecedented MDOT Grant for 300 Interpretive Wayside Exhibits

Could We Build Bridges to a Better Place?

This Old House

Research Travel Grants Program - Michigan Technological University

GREEN NEWS

A sustainable solution to affordable and sustainable housing

Diesel, Made Simply From Coffee Grounds (Ah, the Exhaust Aroma)

Thinning out

Up on the Roof, New Jobs in Solar Power

INTERESTING BOOKS AND WEBSITES

Book chronicles glory days of downtown Detroit

PLACES NOT CALLED MICHIGAN

Piercy Conner’s innovation for Indian apartments makes the unthinkable solar solution sustainable - Kolkata, India

Sustainable residence will provide community spirit as well as 'green' living - Almere, Netherlands

HOK Sport and Buro Happold designed venue opens in Irish capital - Dublin, Ireland

Chill out, you beautiful people, the Versace beach is refrigerated - Dubai

Valuable Wright chair spotted on eBay likely stolen

Chicago Olympic venue switcheroo: Right for the city's bid, but right for its historic parks?’

Utopia by the Sea - Sonoma Valley, CA

In Morocco, a 19th-Century Palace Transformed - Marrakech, Morocco

Building community - Berlin, MA

That old Cape Mod - Cape Cod, MA

Modern metamorphosis - Esher, UK

How the west was renovated - Sydney, AU

Chicago AIA Awards 2008

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

The List - Week of December 7, 2008

Good afternoon!

Well, it's that time. The holiday season is upon us! Time for many of us to takea break from working on our Bildschirmbraeune, and engage in any number of Gammelfleischparties. Wait... Todd, what in the heck are you talking about... what's a Gammerthingy and a bildsquirmywhat... well, see for yourself. German is such a fun language!

Next, instead of sharing some weird news story, I thought I'd share a weird photo or two... Here's the first one. I have two questions... how, and why?

Next up in the best costume contest... Darth Cateous. I usually despise comments at the end of articles (or photos in this case), but the first one made me laugh.

Finally, here's something a little more closer to home. Here's the actual house. l can see why they don't want pets!

Anyway, that's all I've got for today. Have a great week and see ya next time.
Todd

HISTORIC PRESERVATION

Major piece of Muskegon's history joining scrapheap

Companies making news: J.S. Vig Construction Co

Fort Wayne Xmas Event Educates Families - Detroit

Marine City buildings to get fresh exteriors

Leaders work to preserve 'Historic Marshall'

Cathedral District revitalization plan excites Council - Saginaw

Ferndale uses preservation to make its downtown one of Metro Detroit's best

Lawrence Tech to help bring Lincoln Park's Mellus Building back to life

Beal plans to renovate 5 more historic homes in Ypsilanti

COOL CITIES, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, AND PLANNING

Development on Kmart site gets boost from lawmakers - Troy

Hoekstra to hold small business financial resource workshops - Holland

Forum on Region's future eyes redevelopment of brownfields and old downtowns

Measuring the Rouge: A $1.6 billion cleanup, but what did we get?

Saugatuck duneland sale possible

Wyoming officials seek ways to make city more attractive to 20-somethings

Six Grand Rapids Renaissance Zones slated for first leg of tax phase-ins - Grand Rapids

Three Oaks, Avalon team up to build 'workforce housing'

The right stuff? Housing the Millennials - Grand Rapids

Mich. Senate links light-rail to research project

Saugatuck, nature conservancy pursue $25 million to buy 171 acres of Lake Michigan dunes

Jackson may get $1.7 million in HUD money

ARCHAEOLOGY, ARCHITECTURE, ARTS & CULTURE, AND ASSORTED ANECDOTES

Tower oversaw crossing - Jackson

City of Flint to get $525,000 from state to develop Grand Traverse Greenway trail

Learning vacation: Traveler shares experiences out West with Elderhostel program

GREEN NEWS

BPW sends renewable energy proposals to city council - Holland

Holland meat shop owner turns to wind power

INTERESTING BOOKS AND WEBSITES

2008 Michigan Notable Books

PLACES NOT CALLED MICHIGAN

HOK Sport reveal glowing windmill design - Monterrey, Mexico

Wooden college design approved - Waingels College, Wokingham, United Kingdom

Top architects secret mission revealed as Mecca project nears completion - Mecca, Saudia Arabia

Northern Va. Tries New Model To Battle Sprawl

Setting the Record Straight About Ed Stone and Brad Cloepfil - New York, NY

FORT NIAGARA: Site selected for $240K preservation grant

Hyde Park: Grand buildings, grander sense of community

Shipwreck hunters find new jewel in Lake Ontario

If you have comments, feedback, suggestions, or an interesting story, send us an email or post it here.

The views expressed in this blog are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent those of the State Historic Preservation Office, the Michigan Historical Center, the Department of History, Arts and Libraries, or the State of Michigan.

Monday, December 8, 2008

The List - Week of November 28, 2008

So, what's on my mind this week... well, for starters, I read this article about Dell charging people upwards of $150 to downgrade from Vista to XP. The article starts off by mentioning that "consumers just don't like Vista." I don't get it... what's not to like??? I'm also confused by all of these supposed problems with Vista... I know a ton of people who've had absolutely zero problems. Personally, I really like Vista. I'm not promoting one product or the other, but I am wondering if this isn't just good marketing by Apple...

Ok, what else... oh, the nightmares have already begun after reading about the potential remake of Full House. No joke, Uncle Jesse has apparently begun work on the project. I'm also concerned about the credibility of Danny Tanner after watching that "Rollin' with Saget" video with Jamie Kennedy!

Finally, two neighborhoods in Milwaukee are considering printing their own money which would be used only at local stores, thus stimulating the local economy. I've heard of this other towns trying this... I'm not sure how it worked out for them, but wouldn't it be easier to just give neighborhood folks a small discount?

Anyway, that's all I have for this week... there are a ton of preservation stories this week, as well as some good stuff form out of state.

Till next time,
Todd

HISTORIC PRESERVATION

Going retro – Benton Harbor

CCS moving full steam ahead with Argonaut Building redevelopment – Detroit

New deadline for Tiger Stadium preservation plans – Detroit

Plan Deadline Extended For Tiger Stadium – Detroit

Rare opportunity to see historic mansion – Lake Orion

Research Lofts blend history, function – Detroit

Historic homes are city gems – Detroit

Preservationists work to restore Dexter's landmark Gordon Hall

Chelsea plans to redevelop downtown's Longworth building

Fate of Ann Arbor's historic Delta Upsilon home to be decided soon

Work nearly complete on Ypsilanti Freighthouse renovation

Home on Grove St. in Ypsilanti dates back to 1860s

Former Legislator WIll Tackle Another Old Town Redevelopment Project - Lansing

Howell face-lift plan gets early positive response

Tiger Stadium preservationists notch more hits, line up construction funds – Detroit

Troy works to preserve 150-year-old historic stone school

New design for Indian River bridge – Cheboygan

Nominate a Michigan barn for 'Barn of the Year 2009'

38 Commerce reduced to rubble as “Thirty-Eight” prepares to rise – Grand Rapids

Advisory Council on Historic Preservation Inducts New Members, Highlights Housing and Urban Development Preserve America Achievements

Service-Learning & Historic Preservation

Ft. Shelby in Detroit goes from eyesore to elegance

Detroit architect designed factories as well as homes

COOL CITIES, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND PLANNING

Group puts forth plans for West Main Hill area in Kalamazoo Township

Lining up for Harbor Shores – Benton Harbor

Officials weigh options following cleanup of Kalamazoo River near Plainwell

Meeting to outline downtown plan – New Baltimore

Rural feel will be preserved on eight miles of roads in Waterloo

Man Behind the Creative Class Stats Shares Ideas on Detroit

Downtown Clio looks to tidy up storefronts, repair image

Planners aim to strengthen every byway to community highway – Muskegon

GVSU students: Village can be a hip place to live – Spring Lake

ARCHAEOLOGY, ARCHITECTURE, ARTS & CULTURE, AND ASSORTED ANECDOTES

A 'collection of curiosities': the Kalamazoo Valley Museum is home to an eclectic assemblage of historical artifacts

MotorCities National Heritage Area Increases Its 2008 Grant Allocation for Michigan Non-Profit Organizations

Die Interstate, Die

GREEN NEWS

Lansing Expects 400 Percent Increase with New Single Stream Recycling

Trees: an important emblem for urban transformation

'Green' tax credit bill passes House

INTERESTING BOOKS AND WEBSITES

Urban Design for an Urban Century: Placemaking for People
Lance Jay Brown
Wiley, $80.00, 304 pp.

The Genealogy of Cities
Charles P. Graves Jr.
Kent State University Press, $75.00, 400 pp.

Gilded Mansions: Grand Architecture and High Society
Wayne Craven
W.W. Norton, $59.95, 352 pp.

New Classicists: American Architecture
William T. Baker
Images Publishing Dist A/C, $90.00, 336 pp.

Reincarnated McMansion

PLACES NOT CALLED MICHIGAN

Marine archaeologists find remains of slave ship – Turks and Caicos

Berlin split over palace design – Berlin, Germany

Saving a Civil War legacy in Shenandoah Valley

Museum hope for historic RAF base – Flintshire, UK

Massive Prehistoric Fort Emerges From Welsh Woods – Gaer Fawr, Wales

Venice suffers worst flooding in 22 years – Venice, Italy

Preservation and Development, Engaged in a Delicate Dance – New York, NY

Houses of Worship Choosing to Avoid Landmark Status – New York, NY

Plan for 'Sound of Music' hotel blocked in Austria – Salzburg, Austria

Wanted: McMansions to go

Welcome to the new golden age of housing – London, UK

Sydney Opera House designer Joern Utzon dies at 90 – Copenhagen, Denmark

Foster and Hadid to redesign Mecca – Mecca, Saudi Arabia

That's all for this week's edition. If you've received this email from a friend and want to get your own copy, and stay abreast of Michigan's latest historic preservation happenings, email us at preservation@michigan.gov, and put “Add Me!” in the subject line.

If you have comments, feedback, suggestions, or an interesting story, send us an email or post it here.

Friday, December 5, 2008

The List - Week of November 23, 2008

Good afternoon everyone. I hope you all had a safe and happy Thanksgiving... aside, of course, from watching that joke of a football game.

I'm sure a great many of us have a ton of stuff to catch up on after the long weekend, so I'll keep it short today. There are, however, two things I need to point out... For those of you who've yearned to get inside the mind of Shaquille O'Neal, you might want to sign up for his Twitter feed... you can check it out here. There you can learn that Shaq was "standing at the oklahoma city national memorial" at 9:49 AM on November 25th. I mean, this is stuff you need to know!

The other thing I have to discuss today is my disappointment in Ann Arbor. That's right, the whole city is to blame for this one. Now, this has nothing to do with school rivalries or civic matters. No, this is something much more disturbing. After reading this article. I've learned that a band of evil-doers in the mid 1960s cooked up a rather nefarious scheme to keep thousands of workers around the globe demoralized and downtrodden for decades, if not centuries to come.

Anyway, this week's list is kind of short, but there are some interesting things to read up on and some new websites to check out, as well as some interesting out of state stuff.
Til next week,
Todd

HISTORIC PRESERVATION

Plainwell may use old dam to generate electricity

Adrian Public Library improvements continue

Research Lofts blend history, function - Detroit

City opts to preserve wall - Plymouth

Editorial: Give Fort Wayne to U.S. Park Service - Detroit

Historic Palmer Woods Holiday Home Tour - Detroit

Historic Motor Bar returns as hotel hotspot - Detroit

COOL CITIES, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, AND PLANNING

Battle Creek Unlimited Announces Major Downtown Transformation Plan

Kellogg Co. move sparks $86 million redevelopment plan for downtown Battle Creek

Developer clears final hurdle to redevelop Kirsch plant in Sturgis