Save Historic Queen Anne Homes, Group Says in Petition

FARMINGTON, MI – Supporters of the preservation of four early 1900s Queen Anne houses in downtown Farmington have launched a petition to save them.

The Preservation Farmington group argues the Victorian era houses, which now house businesses, are a key to the community’s civic persona. Located at Grand River and Grove Streets, they are outside of the city’s historic district, but play a key role in setting the tone for the city’s historic downtown, according to the petition on Change.org.

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The four 100-year-old homes could be demolished or moved under the proposed Farmington Downtown Area Plan adopted in September and replaced with apartments, modern retail buildings and a parking structure.

“It’s important to make a distinction: We’re not against redevelopment, especially if it’s going to bring people downtown to live,” the group said on the petition site. “But we object to doing it at the expense of what makes our town unique.”

Instead, Preservation Farmington asks that redevelopment be limited to areas behind them.

The group has called on Farmington city officials to:

• Reject plans that replace the buildings;
• Pursue redevelopment that preserves older and historic architecture; and
• Keep in mind that Farmington’s historic downtown is key to its individuality.

The group argues that keeping the buildings is consistent with the city’s long-range goals, and is keeping with the standards expected as an accredited Main Street community.

“And it preserves the stories that give our residents a sense of place, which comes with knowing they are part of a long line of people who have made the city what it is today,” the group said.

Related

• Commission Exodus After Flap Over Queen Anne Homes

Preservation Farmington will appeal to the Farmington City Council to keep the houses in their current location at a Dec. 21 meeting.

In October, four members of a historical preservation group in Farmington resigned over over the dispute about the future of four the Queen Anne-style homes.