Process underway to have portions of Michigan Ave. designated as historic

Historic designation is in the making on one of the great avenues on Detroit's West Side.

Stretches of Michigan Avenue from I-96 west to the Detroit-Dearborn city limits have several notable, intact storefronts.

In order to capitalize on historic tax credits that might help prod redevelopment, the Michigan Avenue Business Association is working to have the storefronts designated as historic by the Michigan State Historic Preservation Office. "Tax credits are critical to the redevelopment of the area," says consultant Ernie Zachary of Zachary and Associates. "We've seen it in New Center and the Cass Corridor. The impact of historic tax credits is enormous."

A preliminary SHPO review cited several promising nodes. The Senate Theatre (pictured), The Gen. George S. Patton PLAV on Central just north of Michigan and the row of intact storefronts near the intersection of 22nd were called out, among other properties, as being potentially eligible for the National Register of Historic Places.

MABA is currently seeking funding from a foundation in order to complete research and create an implementation plan. "We will look at site control and come up with strategies for the reuse of sites," says Zachary. "We will ask, 'What can go there?' " The implementation plan will also address parking and streetscape design and will prioritize needs, in terms of both public and private investments.

MABA hopes to capitalize on the influences of the Hispanic community moving north from W. Vernor and the Middle-Eastern one moving east from Dearborn. "There's been an increase in population," says Zachary. "We have some real positive momentum."

Sources: Matt Prochaska, MABA and Ernie Zachary, Zachary and Associates
Writer: Kelli B. Kavanaugh