Kalamazoo Times

City of Kalamazoo issued the following announcement on Dec 8.

The City of Kalamazoo is currently looking to fill vacancies on Kalamazoo’s Historic Preservation Commission and Historic District Commission. These boards play important roles in advising the City Commission on matters related to preserving Kalamazoo’s history and maintaining the character of its historic districts.  

Membership requirements vary, but both commissions have three-year terms. Appointments are made by the mayor and reported to the City Commission. Interested applicants can learn more and apply online at www.kalamazoocity.org/boards.

About the Historic Preservation Commission 

The Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) started in 1965. Its goal is to keep Kalamazoo’s history alive by re-using historic buildings and sites. Since it was created, the HPC has published three books, set up tours of historic neighborhoods and downtown buildings, and advised many people on ways to repair and work on historic buildings. The HPC advises the city on historic issues, educates the public, reviews National Register nominations, presents awards, runs historic tours, and writes books. 

Current HPC projects include:

• Old House Owners Workshops (OHOW) - teaching repair techniques to old house owners
• Grave Issues Squad - working on gravestones at Mountain Home Cemetery on West Main
• Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) – beginning plans to present a more complete history of Kalamazoo that includes everyone

Meetings are held monthly on the second Wednesday of the month at 6:00 p.m. and are usually 2-3 hours long. The Historic Preservation Commission needs to fill two seats, which would both start once approved by the mayor and continue until March 31, 2025. Interested applicants may live inside or outside the city of Kalamazoo to be eligible for appointment to this commission. 

About the Historic District Commission

The Historic District Commission (HDC) started in 1973. Their charge is to review outside work on buildings in the local historic districts in Vine, Stuart, West Main Hill, Rose Place, and downtown Haymarket. Any proposed work needs to keep the building’s historic details and comply with the Kalamazoo Historic District Commission Standards for Rehabilitation. Approval of the Historic District Commission is required before permits can be issued. Commissioners receive training at least once a year with separate training for special topics as needed. 

Meetings are held monthly on the third Tuesday of the month at 5:00 p.m. and are usually 2-3 hours long. The Historic District Commission needs to fill one seat, which would start once approved by the mayor and continue until January 1, 2025. Interested applicants must live inside the city of Kalamazoo to be eligible for appointment to this commission.

Original source can be found here.