COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – The situation involving the former Gillespie Funeral Home at 27 Marshall Street remains in limbo. A clearly divided Coldwater Historic District Commission tied 3-3 on Wednesday night on a motion by Don Shemel to demolish the 1920 building.
Wednesday night’s meeting took place after an administrative law judge in Lansing ordered the Commission to reconsider its decision to deny the demolition of the building. Southern Michigan Bank and Trust bought the building during an auction last July with the purpose of tearing it down. City staff agreed before the Historic District Commission intervened.
The Coldwater Downtown Development Authority board decided in December to support the banks efforts.
Southern Michigan Bank and Trust Chair and Chief Executive Officer John Castle once again said they want turn the property into park space.
The meeting featured a presentation from the engineering firm of Wightman and Associates after they reviewed the vacant building. Their report said the building was not historically significant and that it does not present many opportunities for re-use. Commission Chair Randall Hazelbaker scoffed at the report and called it an opinion.
Commission member Sarah Zimmer, who voted against demolition, said the historic district was shrinking and that “we are losing buildings.” She added, “we are turning into a downtown of parking lots.”
Attorney Brian Lang who was representing the bank says the appeal made to the State Historic Preservation Board in Lansing remains pending. An administrative law judge will review the minutes of Wednesday’s meeting. He added the process will likely take several months.
