Ann Arbor honors historic preservationists big and small

Wednesday, June 10, 2009 | Source: Concentrate

Lots of little buildings or little parts of larger buildings were the big winners of the Ann Arbor Historic District Awards.

"It just works out that way sometimes," says Jill Thacher, historic preservation coordinator for the city of Ann Arbor.

Most of the buildings are single-family houses with ages that stretch into triple digits. Even a few fraternity and sorority houses made the list this year, including the Alpha Phi Alpha house and the Phi Delta Phi house at the corner of Madison and Thompson streets in the shadow of the University of Michigan's South Quad.

The circa 1916 Georgian style house has undergone extensive renovations over the years, including installation of a new roof, boiler and columns. However, it still looks the same as it did it was built.

The Preservation Project of the Year went to the restoration of the Reading Room in U-M's Law Quad. That project brought the room's barrel vaulted ceilings back to life with new lighting and other work. It also replaced the floor with a cork floor, like what was originally there.

"The renovation was stunning," Thacher says. "The space was completely under-represented."

Source: Jill Thacher, historic preservation coordinator for the city of Ann Arbor
Writer: Jon Zemke