Lansing is hiring experts to formally document the historic architecture of Old Town's commercial corridor and the Westside Neighborhood's Espanore subdivision, funded by the city's first state preservation grant in nearly two decades.

The Michigan State Historic Preservation Office awarded the grants as part of a $211,000 pool split among six Michigan communities, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation's Michigan Strategic Fund announced July 22. Lansing received two separate awards through the federal Certified Local Government program, though individual dollar amounts were not disclosed.

One grant will fund a qualified contractor to conduct a historic resource survey of properties in the Espanore subdivision, one of the Westside Neighborhood's original plats. Homes on the 1600 block of South Genesee Drive and near North Genesee Drive and Cawood Street are among those slated for documentation.

The second grant goes to the Old Town Commercial Association to produce updated design standards for the North Lansing Historic Commercial District, covering North Cesar Chavez Avenue and the 1200 block of Turner Road. Those standards will guide future development and facade grant programs in the district.

It is Lansing's first CLG grant since 2007.

Andy Fedewa, principal planner for the city of Lansing, said in the MEDC's July 22 press release that the Espanore survey will "document the neighborhood's architectural and cultural resources, improve understanding of its historic significance, and provide an updated foundation for preservation planning."

James Lenon, executive director of the Old Town Commercial Association, said in the same announcement that the design guidelines will help future investment respect Old Town's historic character while allowing the district to grow.

The documentation work could open doors beyond preservation planning. The CLG program can fund historic resource surveys, National Register of Historic Places nominations, heritage tourism initiatives and rehabilitation of historic properties, according to the Michigan SHPO. A completed survey is often the first formal step toward National Register listing, which makes property owners eligible for historic tax credits.

Several Old Town business owners participated in a Lansing State Journal feature on the effort Aug. 6, including Summer Schriner, who owns Bad Annie's and Grace Boutique; Terry Terry, founder of MessageMakers and the Urban Beat music venue; and Sarah Christiansen, owner of Katalyst gift shop and gallery.

"The best thing about being in Old Town is our community," Christiansen told the Lansing State Journal during the Aug. 6 visit.

Old Town has been part of the Michigan Main Street program since 2006 and won the Great American Main Street Award in 2011.

The next CLG grant application round is expected to open in fall 2026. No public timeline has been announced for contractor selection or completion of either Lansing project.