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Coldwater commission approves east-facing façade work at 40 South Hanchett Street; work to begin in April
Summary
The Coldwater Historic District Commission approved a proposal to replace windows, repair lintels, scrape and paint brick, and add lighting on the east façade of 40 South Hanchett Street. The project is expected to begin in April and is linked to Main Street facade grant funding.
At its Feb. 12, 2025 meeting, the Coldwater Historic District Commission approved a proposal to restore the east-facing façade of 40 South Hanchett Street, authorizing replacement of windows, repair of lintels, scraping and painting of the brick and the addition of decorative exterior lighting.
The project was presented by Mrs. Delaney on behalf of the property owner, Tibbetts. She described the east elevation as currently “uninviting” and said the work will include full-length replacement windows on the ground floor, new lighting above those windows, repairs to lintels and repainting of the façade. “I would actually label it ugly,” Mrs. Delaney said of the current east façade. The commission approved the proposal by voice vote; a motion to approve was moved and seconded during the meeting. Mrs. Delaney said the work will begin in April.
The applicant estimated the full scope of the exterior work at about $48,000. The architect on the project is Thomas Roberts of Wyandotte; the proposed window frames are metal and will be painted a hunter green rather than the current red accent color. Mrs. Delaney said the upstairs currently contains one completed apartment used in part during the summer theater season, and a second apartment at the rear that is not habitable until further work is done.
During public comments after the vote, a Main Street/DDA representative said this project is one of three in the downtown façade initiative and noted the funding mix: $75,000 awarded from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and a matching contribution of $37,500 from the Downtown Development Authority (DDA). The commenter said the Tibbetts project will be in line for an estimated $35,000 facade award once completed, with roughly two-thirds of that award coming from MEDC funds and one-third from DDA funds. The Main Street representative also asked commissioners to hold June 24 for a Michigan Main Street training session, and said Coldwater is a possible local host for the session.
Commission discussion during the project review focused on window materials and historical appropriateness; staff reported photographic evidence supporting a return to more era-appropriate window designs. The historic architect who has worked on other downtown facades, Thomas Roberts, was identified as the project architect and will continue to advise on restoration work.
Votes at a glance
- Motion to approve the minutes of the commission’s Feb. 12, 2025 regular meeting — approved by voice vote during the meeting (motion carried). - Motion to approve the façade restoration proposal for 40 South Hanchett Street as submitted — approved by voice vote; work expected to begin in April.
The commission did not set additional conditions beyond the work described; staff advised the commission that the project, as presented, returned the façade to a more historically appropriate appearance based on photographic evidence and the architect’s recommendations.
