By By ERIN VER BERKMOES / Niles Daily Star
NILES - The buildings in downtown Niles were hidden with large metal slip covers from the Kawneer corporation, but since their removal the historic fronts of the buildings are now featured.
Niles was one of the seven communities recently honored by the Michigan's Department of History, Arts and Libraries for their outstanding historic preservation projects, at the 2005 Governor's Awards for Historic Preservation.
The awards were presented to the recipients in a ceremony in the State Capitol rotunda.
The Niles honorees included the City of Niles Planning Department, the Southwestern Michigan Economic Growth Alliance, the Niles Downtown Development Authority and the Greater Niles Community Development Corporation.
The Governor's Award for Historic Preservation recognizes individuals, developers, corporations, academic institutions and units of government that have undertaken rehabilitation of the historic resources, or archaeological excavations, or implemented sound public policy to promote preservation.
The governor seeks to draw attention to historic resources and the unique potential for economic development as well as to the important role the resources play in defining communities.
The nominations for these awards are made to the governor by the State Historic Preservaton Review Board in consultation with the State Historic Preservation Office, Michigan Historical Center.
Other cities receiving the honor this year are Benton Harbor, Battle Creek, Grand Rapids, Saginaw, Detroit and Chippewa County.