Council approves resolution backing expansion of Michigan historic tax credits, removes unrelated grant language

The Highland Park City Council approved a resolution Monday in support of Michigan House Bills 4503 and 4504, measures that would expand the state's Historic Preservation Tax Credit program established under Public Act 343 of 2020. The council amended the draft by removing a sentence that staff and council members said appeared to reference an unrelated neighborhood grant application.

Councilwoman Manuka moved to approve the resolution supporting the bills and to remove the line on page three that read, "Now, therefore, be it resolved that the city approves applying for the MSHDA MI neighborhood grant." The motion was seconded and carried on a roll call vote: Councilman Ashafi voted no; Councilwoman Martin yes; Councilwoman Manuka yes; Council Pro Tem Robinson no; Council President Thomas yes. The motion carried.

Earlier in the meeting the council had briefly tabled the resolution because council members said they had not been provided a list of Highland Park properties and historic sites that the tax credit expansion would affect. Council Pro Tem Robinson noted that municipalities across Michigan had received the same request for letters of support and that the purpose of the city's resolution was to endorse expansion of the tax credit to benefit owners of historic properties in Highland Park.

The resolution as approved expresses municipal support for state legislation that would raise the annual credit cap and alter provisions for accessing historic rehabilitation tax credits. The action is a statement of support to the state legislature and does not itself commit city funds. Staff and councilmembers said they would follow up to secure lists of locally designated historic properties and to provide additional detail to council members before any further related city actions.