Sunday, December 31, 2006  

12/21/2006


MLAP nets grants


To lighthouses in area get funds

By EMMY PARSONS

eparsons@record-eagle.com

Record-Eagle/Jan-Michael Stump

The Grand Traverse Lighthouse will receive a $40,000 grant from funds raised for the Michigan Lighthouse Assistance Program through sales of "Save Our Lighthouses," state license plates. The money will be used to repair water damage and foundation problems in the historic structure, located at the tip of the Leelanau Peninsula.

TRAVERSE CITY — Michigan lighthouses, including two in northern Michigan, will receive $233,300 in preservation grants this year from proceeds of a state license plate project that directs money to the Michigan Lighthouse Assistance Program.

Funds from "Save our Lighthouses” will be distributed to eight organizations and local governments around Michigan that provide upkeep for the state's historic lighthouses.

"This is the only source of funds that's specifically used for the lighthouses,” said Brian Conway, a state historical preservation officer. "So it's through this fund that we are able to assist the nonprofit organizations and government entities that are the new stewards for the preservation of the lighthouses.”

The Grand Traverse Light Station and Charlevoix South Pier Lighthouse will receive funding.

A $40,000 grant to the Grand Traverse Lighthouse Museum will be used to repair lighthouse water damage.

"We have a major foundation problem,” said Stefanie Staley, museum executive director. "What has been happening over the last 150 years is that moisture has been coming through the foundation and we now have to run dehumidifiers (continually).”

Repair estimates are at $70,000, Staley said. The grant money will allow workers to stabilize beams that are in danger of pulling away from the building.

"Having those extra $40,000 for this project will keep the building from falling down in the future,” Staley said.

The Charlevoix Historical Society will use its $34,000 grant to waterproof South Pier Lighthouse to fend off deterioration. It's the first of four phases the society hopes to complete over the next several years.

"Basically we want to stabilize the lighthouse, that's what phase one is about,” said Mary Adams, restoration committee chair.

"And then phase two is restoration, as (are) phase three and phase four.”

Several improvements are in store over the full project, including removal of lead-based paint, repair of the original fog horn, and replacements of brass ventilators and electrical equipment.

Since the assistance program began in 2000, more than $985,000 has been distributed to lighthouses around the state.

 

Fish Boil Was A Success

Mission Statement


The mission of the Leelanau Township Chamber of Commerce is: To develop, enhance, sustain, and serve commerce in Leelanau Township.


Adopted December 13, 2005

Subscribe to
Posts [Atom]