CALUMET, MI - On Thursday, May 4, Keweenaw National Historical Park, Keweenaw Economic Development Alliance, Village of Calumet, Calumet Downtown Development Authority, Main Street Calumet, Houghton County Land Bank Authority, and Keweenaw National Historical Park Advisory Commission received a Governor’s Award for Historic Preservation for the collaborative Bring Back Calumet initiative. The award was presented by Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) during a ceremony hosted by the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO).
After the closure of the last mining operations nearly 50 years ago, issues of blight and demolition by neglect plagued the Calumet area, which encompasses a National Historic Landmark district. Acknowledging this was not an issue a single person or entity could take on, the Keweenaw Economic Development Alliance brought together a group of stakeholders in 2016 which resulted in the creation of Bring Back Calumet. Successes of this initiative are seen in the ten building rehabilitations completed or underway with three more planned, at least four new businesses opened, at least six historic buildings being acquired and stabilized, and over $8 million of public and private investments made thus far. Keweenaw National Historical Park is an active partner and works collaboratively in this partnership to preserve the nationally significant copper story of this region.
Superintendent Wyndeth Davis attended the ceremony, along with Megan Haselden, Village Manager, Village of Calumet, Leah Polzien of Main Street Calumet and Jeff Ratcliffe of KEDA. “It is humbling to receive this award in the company of such partners," Davis said, “and a privilege to work with the residents of Calumet and others who care about the deep and important history written on the landscape here, about the quality of life in the community, and about the future generations who will benefit from this work." Margaret Mead’s words here speak true, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."
The SHPO provides technical assistance to local communities and property owners to identify, evaluate, designate, interpret and protect Michigan’s historic above- and below-ground resources. They also administer an incentives program that includes state and federal tax credits, and pass-through grants available to certified local governments.
To watch the award ceremony and learn more about the project visit https://www.miplace.org/historic-preservation/programs-and-services/governors-awards-for-historic-preservation/
www.nps.gov/kewe
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service