City's Historic District Commission seeks nominees for preservation awards

Does your neighbor deserve some recognition for the hard work they’ve put into restoring a historic home? Or maybe a local business has put in the extra work required to remain true to a historic building’s original design and intent. Or perhaps you, yourself, is looking for a little kudos for the elbow grease put in to preserving a slice of Mt. Pleasant’s built history.

Now’s the time to seek and share acknowledgement as Mt. Pleasant’s Historic District Commission has opened up the submission window for nominating local building and business owners for the 2019 Historic Preservation Improvement Awards.

"These awards offer individuals an opportunity to recognize and express appreciation to their fellow residents who not only take pride in maintaining their property, but are dedicated to retaining its historic character," says Michelle Sponseller, Downtown Development Director.

The annual awards honor exterior improvements of residential and commercial properties in Mt. Pleasant. There are four categories: Preservation, Restoration, New Construction, and Downtown Historic District Choice.

To be eligible for the Historic Preservation Improvement Awards, nominees must be at least 25 years old and have completed improvements between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2018. Applicants will be evaluated compared to the Secretary of Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties.

The HDC will announce the winners on Monday, May 13 during National Historic Preservation month.

"Over the past three years we have honored three commercial properties which have safeguarded the historical charm of our downtown area and in 2019 we are hoping to receive nominations for residential properties as well," Sponseller says.

"This impressive commitment to preserving the past while offering modern amenities continues to be a draw to our many year-round visitors."

Visit the city’s website for nomination forms. Nominations are due by 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 31.

Got a development news story to share? Email MJ Galbraith here or send him a tweet @mikegalbraith.

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