West Main Street Historic District

Project With a Purpose

Per the City's Code of Ordinances (Section 5-18) (PDF), the West Main Street Historic District (WMSHD) was put in place to:

  • Safeguard the heritage of the city by preserving that area of the city that reflects elements of its history, architecture, archaeology, engineering or culture
  • Stabilize and improve property values in the area and surrounding areas
  • Foster civic beauty
  • Strengthen the local economy
  • Promote the district as an ideal place for the education, pleasure, and welfare of Midland citizens

The West Main Street Historic District Commission oversees all applications for the construction, addition, alteration, repair, moving, excavation, or demolition of properties located within the historic district. With the exception of ordinary maintenance as well as minor work (which is assigned to the City of Midland's Chief Building Official), the Commission is responsible for approving each application before a Certificate of Appropriateness for such work is granted (see Certificate of Appropriateness form below).

If a proposed project is deemed a major class of work, the Commission will review the application for work. If it is considered a minor class of work, the Chief Building Inspector or his designee will review the application. To find out the level of review required for your particular project, review a Classes of Work Chart (PDF).

For more information read the full West Main Street Historic District and WMSHD Commission Guidelines (PDF).

What To Do Before Exterior Projects Begin

Before any exterior work is performed on property within the West Main Street Historic District, the project work must be reviewed and approved by the West Main Street Historic District Commission. Project work must be outlined in the Certificate of Appropriateness (PDF) application, which should be filled out completely and dropped off at the City's Planning Department. From there, the certificate will be reviewed by the West Main Street Historic District Commission.

The Commission follows the U.S. Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation and Guidelines for Rehabilitating Historic Buildings and guidelines approved by the State Historic Preservation Office.

Boundaries of the Historic District

The West Main Street Historic District is comprised of the following area:

Lots 3, 4, 5 and 6 of Block 15, all of Block 16, excluding the right-of-way of the Pere Marquette Rail-Trail, all of Block 17, excluding the right-of-way of the Pere Marquette Rail-Trail, and including an area described as: Beginning at a point 57.5 feet southwest of the south corner of Lot 1 of Block 17; thence northeast 57.5 feet; thence northwest 166.58 feet along the southwesterly side of Lots 1, 2 and 3 of Block 17; thence southeasterly to the point of beginning, and all of Blocks 18, 80 and 81, and Lots 1, 2, 7 and 8, and the northeast 70 feet of Lots 3 and 4, Block 82, all a part of the Midland original plat.