By By ERIN VER BERKMOES / Niles Daily Star
NILES - The city of Niles has formed a Historic District Study Commission, with hopes of having the Niles downtown area designated as a National Historic District. The proposed historic district would be Fifth Street to the St. Joseph River and then Sycamore to Broadway.
The group is currently seeking members of the community to help with this project. If anyone has any information about the history of buildings in that area the committee would appreciate if the commission could be contacted.
Information can be delivered to Lisa Croteau at the Downtown Development Authority-Main Street at 210 E. Main St., Niles, or e-mailed to nilesdda@qtm.com.
Gunam added that the primary goal with this project is to preserve the architectural integrity of downtown Niles by enhancing the work that has already been completed on the buildings' facades.
Designating a specific area as historic provides a wide range of benefits to the community. It can provide legal protection for historic resources, increase property and resale values, Gunam said. Along with promoting economic development, tourism revenue can be increased and jobs created.
The Historic District Study Commission is working with the Michigan Historic Preservation office on this project which should take about nine months to one year to complete.