Historic Designation Advisory Board

The mission of the Historic Designation Advisory Board (HDAB) is to advise City Council on all matters regarding historic preservation including requests for the designation of local historic districts. The staff of the Advisory Board can further assist residents with specific preservation questions and concerns as well as serve as a general resource to the community.

The Historic Designation Advisory Board has eight members, who are residents of Detroit, and two ex officio members as represented by the Director of the City Planning Commission and the Director of the Planning and Development Department. Two ad hoc members are appointed by City Council in conjunction with studies of particular proposed historic districts.

Board Members

Victoria Byrd-Olivier, Chair

Zene Fogel-Gibson, Vice Chair

Melanie A. Bazil, Secretary

Keith Dye

Louis J. Fisher

Theresa Holder-Hagood

Calvin Jackson

Amy Swift

City Council President

Off

City Council Pro Tem

Off

CONTACTS

HDAB Staff

(313) 224-3487

[email protected]

Historic Designation Advisory Board Coleman A. Young Municipal Center, 2 Woodward Avenue, Suite 218, Detroit, MI 48221

8:30 am - 4:30 pm

View interactive local historic district map

Explore the Map

Historic Designation FAQ

What is a local historic district?

A local historic district is an area of historic, cultural, or architectural significance that has been formally designated as such by City Council. A historic district may contain one building or multiple buildings, or may consist of a single site such as a cemetery. Each district meets one or more of the following criteria:

1. Sites, buildings, structures or archaeological sites where cultural, social, spiritual, economic, political or architectural history of the community, city, state or nation is particularly reflected or exemplified.

2. Sites, buildings, structures, or archaeological sites which are identified with historic personages or with important events in community, city, state or national history.

3. Buildings or structures which embody the distinguishing characteristics of an architectural specimen, inherently valuable as a representation of a period, style or method of construction.

4. Notable work(s) of a master designer or architect whose individual genius influenced his or her age.

Once a local historic district has been established, the city’s Historic District Commission (HDC) will review all building permit applications for exterior alterations to properties within the district. Building interiors are rarely designated. For more information on the HDC review process, please visit their webpage.

What are other types of historic designation?

The National Register of Historic Places is the nation's list of cultural resources worthy of preservation. The National Register (NR) is a program of the National Park Service, an agency of the United States Department of the Interior, and includes all National Historic Landmarks (NHL). Neither NR nor NHL designations affect what private owners can do to their property unless they are utilizing federal historic tax credits or other sources of federal funding. In Michigan, the State Historic Preservation Office, a division of the Michigan State Housing Development Authority, administers the program.

The Michigan Historical Marker Program is administered by the Michigan History Center, a division of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. These historical markers mark various historical sites across the state to educate the public about significant people, places and things in Michigan history.

Although these programs are not administered by the Historic Designation Advisory Board, please feel free to contact us with any questions about the application process. For more information, please click on the following links:

National Register of Historic Places in Michigan

Michigan Historical Marker Program

How do I propose a new local historic district? What is the process?

If you are thinking about proposing a local historic district, we ask that you first please provide a community forum for a brief presentation by HDAB staff.

The historic designation process is initiated when any Detroit resident submits a request to City Council. The procedure for establishing new historic districts is described below:

I. Initial Request

A request is sent to City Council to consider a proposed designation. The request should state the reason the designation is being sought and describe the significance of the proposed district with respect to at least one of the evaluation criteria. It should also precisely describe the location of the proposed district by providing specific street addresses or by describing the proposed district’s boundaries. The request must be in the form of a letter addressed to:

Detroit City Council
c/o Detroit City Clerk
200 Coleman A. Young Municipal Center
Detroit, MI 48226

Please also send a copy of the request to:

Historic Designation Advisory Board
218 Coleman A. Young Municipal Center
Detroit, MI 48226

The City Clerk will then assign a petition number to the request, and forward it to City Council. The petitioner will receive a postcard from the City Clerk, including the petition number, to confirm receipt of the request. A waiting period may then occur, as requests for designation are generally addressed by City Council in the order in which they are received.

II. Study Period

City Council, at its discretion, may adopt a resolution directing the Historic Designation Advisory Board to study the proposed district, as well as appoint two ad hoc members to the Board. The study itself usually takes between four to six months due to ordinance requirements.

III. Preliminary Report

The Historic Designation Advisory Board staff prepares a Preliminary Report, describing the historic and architectural value of the proposed district, and presents it to the Historic Designation Advisory Board at its regular meeting for review. The Historic Designation Advisory Board then schedules a public hearing on the proposed district, which provides an opportunity for all interested parties to express their views. Interested parties are encouraged to attend if possible, or may also express their opinions in writing to the Historic Designation Advisory Board prior to the public hearing.

IV. Final Report

The Historic Designation Advisory Board prepares a Final Report, describing the historic and architectural value of the proposed district, and presents it to City Council. The Final Report will contain a recommendation for or against designation, and, if the recommendation is for designation, it will also contain a draft ordinance for City Council consideration.

V. Ordinance

City Council may then, at its discretion, introduce the ordinance of designation. City Council would then follow the ordinary course for the passage of an ordinance, including a public hearing before the Council. After the ordinance passes, the local historic district will be in effect and become regulated and protected by public review through the Historic District Commission. Detroit contains roughly 140 local historic districts.

When are Historic Designation Advisory Board meetings held?

The Historic Designation Advisory Board typically meets on the second Thursday of each month in the late afternoon (usually 4pm). These meetings are open to the public. They are usually held in the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center, but are sometimes held at locations within or near proposed historic districts. Since meeting times, dates, and locations may vary, please call 313.224.3487 in advance for confirmation.

What are some benefits of local historic districts?

Why seek local historic designation?

For public recognition of architecturally and/or historically significant districts.
To ensure that culturally significant buildings are preserved for future generations to enjoy.
To preserve the architectural unity and physical characteristics of a neighborhood while promoting its improvement.
For possible tax benefits available for rehabilitating buildings.

What are some benefits of local historic districts?

1. Local districts protect the investments of owners and residents of historic properties.

Insensitive or poorly planned development can make an area less attractive to investors and homebuyers, and thus undermine property value. In contrast, historic district designation encourages people to buy and rehabilitate properties because they know their investment is protected over time.

2. Properties within local historic districts appreciate at greater rates than the local market overall as well as faster than similar, non-designated neighborhoods.
Findings on this point are consistent across the country. Moreover, recent analysis shows that historic districts are also less vulnerable to market volatility from interest rate fluctuations and economic downturns.

3. Historic districts are a vehicle for education.
They are a tangible link to the past and a way to bring meaning to history and to people’s lives. They preserve the original character of buildings and streets, while welcoming growth and innovation within those spaces. They are a living, active record of communities and their residents.

4. Protecting local historic districts can enhance business recruitment potential.
Vibrant commercial cores and charming neighborhoods with character attract new business and quality industry. Companies continually relocate to communities that offer their workers a higher quality of life, which successful preservation programs and stable districts enhance.

5. Local districts give communities a voice in their future.
By participating in the designation process, citizens can help direct their communities’ path. Making these decisions together in a structured way―rather than behind closed doors or without public comment―gives everyone involved a sense of empowerment and confidence.

Historic Designation Advisory Board

News & Events

Historic Designation FAQ

Local Historic District Final Reports

Other HDAB Reports

Web Apps

Historic Designation Advisory Board

News & Events

Related Links

Historic Designation FAQ

Local Historic District Final Reports

Other HDAB Reports

Web Apps