COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – The Coldwater Downtown Development Authority board today will take up the issue of whether or not the old Gillespie Funeral Home building has really been saved from the wrecking ball. The City of Coldwater Historic District Commission last month took action that prevented Southern Michigan Bank and Trust from tearing down the vacant building on Marshall Street.
The building was purchased by SMB&T at auction in July with plans to demolish the structure. City staff made the same recommendation, but the Historic District Commission did not approve the request. The building lies within both the Downtown Development Authority and Historic District Commission districts, so the DDA board is being urged to write a letter of support for the demolition as SMB&T prepares to appeal the matter to the State Historic Preservation Board. A decision from the state would not be handed down until sometime during the first quarter of next year.
The DDA board discussed the matter at its November 18 meeting, but did not have a quorum to vote on the question. Today’s special session is set for 8 a.m. at the Henry L.Brown Muncipal Building.
