Page 6 - Wayne Dispatch Pages

Wayne should consider

a Historic District

Although Wayne is small and a
large part of its historic
buildings were torn down in the
1960s during Urban Renewal, there
are still some historic gems left that
should be protected. Designating an
area a Historic District is one of the
few ways to legally protect an area
from destruction, and ensures the
area is preserved for future genera-
tions. goal is to keep an appropriate and
The area along Brush, Clinton historic look from the street, while
and Elizabeth is an example of an allowing freedom in the other areas.
area that could be designated, as it If you live in a historic home, it’s
has the highest percentage of pre- because you like that old look and
1900 homes left in the city. Another character, so the goal is to preserve
great area would be the tree streets, that look along the street for all to
as they have many 19s and 20s bun- enjoy.
galows and cottages, many of which Most modern Historic Districts
are catalog and kit homes. don't require repairing or replacing “The Hoise house, one of Wayne’s lost great houses, torn down in 1966.”
Historic Districts get a bad name things with expensive or original ma- Corporation. A Certified Local Gov- exclusive grant funding opportuni-
from misinformation and overzeal- terials (for example, replacing 100- ernment is a program where the city ties, technical assistance from the
ous commissions of the past, but in year-old wood with 100-year-old must show that it actively plans for, State Historic Preservation Office
creating a historic district today they wood), most allow modern materials protects, and tells the story of impor- (SHPO), and other benefits. Wayne
can be created to work for the mod- that just mimic the look, saving own- tant historic places. In exchange, has already lost so much of its his-
ern world. I'll try to clarify some pros ers money. communities gain special access to tory, it’s time to save what is left.
and cons below. The biggest benefit Homes in historic districts also
is they prevent houses from being increase in property value by 10-
torn down, which can change the feel 30% compared to non-designated
and character of a neighborhood. areas in the same town. The state
They can also regulate infill or new and federal government also offer
houses being built in a neighbor- some tax credits for restoration on
hood, preventing houses that are too designated homes, sometimes cover-
big or out of character with the sur- ing 20% of a project cost. Statewide
rounding buildings. there are 82 recognized Historic Dis-
Historic Districts will regulate the tricts, including in our neighbor
front facade of a house's appearance cities, such as Canton, Livonia and
from the street, this may mean they Plymouth. By adopting a historic dis-
have a say in changing windows, trict, the city as a whole could also
porch railings or siding. They do not benefit, as it’s one of the require-
regulate paint colors, landscaping, ments to become a Certified Local
anything on the interior of a home, Government (CLG) through the
or the back and sides of a home. The Michigan Economic Development

6 · April 2026 · The Wayne Dispatch