Everything old is new again as Ludington officials reconsider making East Ludington Avenue a historic district.  Those who follow Ludington's scene know that this was a hot topic just ten years ago, when some members of the local bed & breakfast association backing the concept in front of several receptive planning commissioners early in 2009.  On October 12, 2009, the Ludington City Council created a Historic District Study Committee, which would report back to the council of their findings in one year.  

This mirrored a similar happening in early 1997, when the council also created a Historic District Study Committee.  Before we revisit what happened to both of these efforts, let's look at a recent article in the City of Ludington Daily News (COLDNews) that explained the historic district comeback-- as if it was something new (tap the picture to read the words easier):

This new effort smells rather fishy, but let's reveal some background.  Ray Madsen has only been in the area for a handful of years, though longer than the author of the article, Noah Hausmann.  It is never mentioned that he is on the Ludington Planning Commission, but a previous article by Hausmann of May 16 notes that.  Because there is no zoning changes required, he believes there is no conflict present for him in pushing for this as a private citizen who is also an official.  The process of creating a state district, however, requires a couple of reviews by the local planning body.

It's noted that some of the letters were not received by homeowners, so was this a selective process of notification?  Madsen seems to be pushing the palatable option to join the national register, which would be honorific only, with no rules, studies, or HD boards.  I wasn't able to take the proffered survey.

Madsen says that he's going to spend between $10K and $20K to apply for a 'historic district', but a state historic district must be established by the Ludington City Council, and those must be administered by a board (see MCL 399.203) which means that this board will be able to dictate what can and cannot be done in the district.  He also says the better part of that money will be hiring a consultant to research the history of each property.  Unless older local history has changed over the last ten years, the previous study committee had that already done-- at significant cost (see 2011 Study report). 

Save your money, Ray.  I also cannot find any place in Michigan law that says you can create a "historic district" in Michigan and not have the above requirements in its creation.  A federally designated historic district can be formed and be recognized on the National Register, but the attending people from the state would not have likely made the trip from southern Michigan if that was all being sought.  Expect an incremental approach this time.

Nobody would likely object strongly for being on the National Register, since it costs nothing to maintain it, and there is nobody or no body telling you what to do with your property, yet Madsen still seems to be pushing more than the National Register idea, since he plans on having the state representatives attend again in July, which would suggest he is looking at more than just federal recognition in his discussions.

So let's review the history of the last two tries at making a state "historic district" in Ludington.  In 1997 the study was done in a year, but the pushback was strong, as noted in the April 27, 1998 meeting minutes of the city council, with study committee chair Thom Hawley noting strong opposition to the plan and no recommendation.  

Just after Independence Day in 2013, the council considered the issue once again before them to establish a state historic district.  A lot of respected people put a lot of work in the study and lobbying for the idea, and a lot of district homeowners made their views known.  I can still recall Councilor Rathsack starting off the discussion sounding as if he was going to be for it, but then veered against it.  Every councilor voted against it then, reluctantly, but only because it wasn't wanted by a significant majority of the proposed district.  

Not surprisingly, in both previous efforts, the Ludington Planning Commission germinated the idea to get a historic district for about a half of a year before pushing it to council.  Ray Madsen has chosen that task this time, likely because most of the rest of the Planning Commission don't want to be involved in the chicanery.  History repeats itself, but the losers try harder each successive time.

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Planning commission statements and intent seem unclear.  If this is just for a historical plaque, then that's one thing.  If this is to bring many more tourist that's another.  I remember attending some of the last meetings where residents where mostly very much against the idea.  Not long ago.  

You can always spot a lefty. They want the government involved in everything. The people pushing this idea can't seem to realize that because of the property owners diligence to maintain their properties in a pleasing manner is the real reason why the area appears attractive. They have done this without Big Brother looking over their shoulders. I to think something fishy is going on. I bet this is being pushed by the other progressives trying to control Ludington. Anyone can put up a plaque anytime they want. No permission needed so why have State officials involved. The Michigan Historic Preservation Network  must get their funds from somewhere so who is backing them and what are their real intentions. Of course we all know what a money pit MSDHA is and This is where the State Historic Preservation Office resides.

All I can say is beware of Government and self serving agents coming to a town near you, promoting ideas that are not needed. Also beware of locals that invite these intruders and promote their agenda's.

That seems to describe Ray Madsen.  I think his heart is in the right place, but he always seems to look for recognition while us regular locals are just looking to go about our day.  Being recognized for your accomplishments doesn't really mean anything if you're applying and paying tens of thousands for that recognition alone.  

And this is what he has done before in Ludington.  He was on the original Tree Advisory Board apparently happy in telling us what kind of trees we need to place out in front of our houses on our property, so that the City of Ludington can qualify to be a Tree City and get a plaque and the possibility of grants.  How quaint that in their quest the City has chopped down a lot of healthy trees in Copeyon, Waterfront, and Stearns Parks over the last few years, without replacing them.   Reminds me of the old quotation, which seems to apply to the TAB:

Is Ray a Ludington native or a transplant? It seems that most of the "trouble" Ludington has encountered in recent years has been from the transplants who think they know what's best for everyone else. The native Ludington folks seem to enjoy rolling over and having their bellies rubbed like submissive canines every time one of these immigrants wants to put their imprint on local politics or projects. I would be curious to know how many of these transplants originally discovered Ludington while being tourists and thought that this is the place to settle. Lucky Ludington.

Madsen moved to Ludington from Naples, Florida back around 2012, because he fell in love with Ludington and all it had to offer.  Since that time, it seems he's been trying his hardest to change Ludington, probably so that it reminds him more of what he moved away from. 

It's like the people who marry somebody because they love who they are, and then try to change those annoying imperfections over the course of the marriage.  If I moved to a new city and decided to get politically involved by volunteering for committees and boards, my first concern in every issue would be deference to the long-standing traditions and mores of the greater community.

Well X, that Madsen doesn't surprise me at all as being another negative implant that again doesn't know anything about Ludington history, even recently, and has no plans to study it nor assimilate like a local at all. Same as Danny V. and hundreds of others nowadays.

  Why is it that someone would think that a Historic Plaque will change the world. As XLFD stated there is federal guidelines for Historic Districts , no partial exceptions.  If you want a plaque on your front door get one made. Don't go trying to put one on mine. I don't want you or anyone else on my front porch  or lawn .  just because YOU think Ludington needs a Historic District .  BUY my house and the big taxes then do as you please but until then butt out.  I assume you don't live on the Avenue . Make your neighbor hood a Historic District.  I'm sure there are older homes where you live and the neighbors will be over joyed with your idea of the government controlling how they might want to remodel their home.   In the end , GET A LIFE AND STAY OUT OF MINE.

Well said, Stump!

Right, that's why I'm thinking Ray is being used to market this go-around with state HDs, they used a couple of B&B owners the last time around, and it turned out they were a small minority of that group.  Our CDD wants this state HD and she likely figures it was just a matter of flawed perceptions by the 70+% in the district who didn't want it.

The building at the address I live at was built in the 1800s and dubbed Peter's Hotel before becoming the Commercial Hotel by 1910 and serving the city, especially the workers and passengers of the nearby car ferry, for many decades after that, before it was repurposed as apartments about 50 years ago.  I sure wouldn't want it as part of a historic district, though it has a lot of historical character.

"GET A LIFE AND STAY OUT OF MINE".      Amen!

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