Kalamazoo historic commission approves ADA ramp at Marlborough Condominiums and two wall signs for Peninsula Building

The Kalamazoo Historic District Commission on April (date not specified) approved two separate certificates of appropriateness: accessibility modifications for the Marlborough Condominium at 471 West South Street and two wall signs for the Peninsula Building at 111 Portage.

Greg Jones, project architect with Abbot Marsh Spice, told the commission the 471 West South Street project replaces an aging, cramped exterior lifting device with a combination of indoor and outdoor ramps and an internal vertical lifting device to serve lower levels. Jones said the work would require removing one exterior door, modifying a window with an internal blank‑out film to avoid exterior changes, and installing railings and small protective posts near the parking area. "The work that we're doing really has a minimal impact on the appearance of the building," Jones said, adding the ramp would sit partly below grade and not block tenant views.

Commission discussion confirmed the existing exterior elevator is visible and that the plan retains the exterior unit "until it is inoperable," with internal lifts intended to perform the elevator's functions for moving people and furnishings between intermediate levels and the sub‑basement. Citing the National Park Service preservation brief on accessibility, a commission member said the proposal met applicable criteria. A commissioner moved to approve a certificate of appropriateness for the work as described, the motion was seconded, and a roll‑call vote recorded yes from Christie, Katie, Dana, Dan, Nelson and James; the certificate was approved unanimously. Luis, the commission coordinator, said staff will provide the certificate and next‑step instructions to the applicant by the end of the week and noted a building permit submission from Elite Construction was expected.

At 111 Portage, Ryan Burns of The Peregrine Company presented plans for two identical aluminum, backlit wall signs — approximately 40 inches tall and about 10 feet long — to be anchored to mortar between existing parapet details so they can be removed later if necessary. Burns said the ground floor has an incoming tenant (not yet announced) and that the team will route electrical conduit over the parapet and paint it to match the building to minimize visibility. A commissioner moved that the proposed signage complies with the Secretary of the Interior Standards; after a second, the commission approved the certificate by roll‑call vote with the same members voting yes.

Staff offered to assist applicants with sign permits and to coordinate steps needed to begin construction. The commission adjourned with those approvals completed.