A View From The ‘Ville
Historic Buildings Are Treasures Worth Preserving I was out the other night, when I stopped in to see Laura Genitti, second generation owner of Genitti’s Hole in the Wall, located in a historic building in the heart of downtown Northville that has become probably the most wellknown events center in town. Laura gave me a tour of the place, which dates back to the 1880s and has housed many different businesses over that time. As she walked me through the building, I couldn’t help thinking about all the people who had been in there over the years. If only the old bricks and stones could speak. The Genitti family has done a wonderful job giving their old building new life. And they aren’t the only ones. Downtown Northville is filled with historic buildings that have been given a new lease on life by visionary owners who recognized the value older structures possess. Our cover story this month, written by Maria Taylor, focuses on some of the most visible examples of this, including
the Water Wheel Centre, The Hangar (formerly the Village Workshop) and The Garage restaurant, which was once a gas station. The long vacant building at 341 E. Main Street. You can find her story on Page 14. cases that have created battles Of course, Maria could over the fates of some of these only focus on a fraction of structures. In one case, with the buildings that have been the former Main Street School, restored. It was tough to narrow preservationists did not prevail it down, because she could and the building was demolished have chosen many others, all to make way for new housing with their own unique stories. that is well under way. Northville’s Historic District Then there is the case of the encompasses 144 acres and long vacant building at 341 E. nearly 350 properties including Main Street. The three-story, residential structures, parks, 12,000-square-foot structure commercial and public buildings that dates back to the 1800s was (churches and schools), factories in jeopardy of being demolished and even utility structures. for a new building. The city’s Preserving old buildings is Historic District Commission never easy, and over the course in 2018 overruled owner Eric of the last couple years there Guidobono’s application for a have been a few high profile demolition permit, however.
Not much has happened since, but Guidobono and partner Ed Funke did apply to the HDC last summer to construct a new foundation for the building, and did pull permits for some interior demo work and asbestos removal. They told city leaders they expect to continue work this coming construction season. This isn’t the course they wanted, or I’m sure the cheapest route. I believe, in the end, however, they will be glad they saved the building and preserved a bit of Northville’s past. Old buildings have a certain magic that just can’t be replicated with new construction. Hopefully a hundred years from now, the building will still be standing and visitors will wonder about all the people who walked within its walls, even if they can’t talk. Kurt Kuban is editor and publisher of The ‘Ville. He welcomes your feedback at kurtkuban@thevillemagazine. com.
Your Voice: Letters to the Editor 4 Past Tense: New chapter for iconic Griswold estate 10 Restored historic buildings bring new life to town 14 Unified basketball squad brings people together 22 Planning meetings will lay out downtown’s future 26
Strike A Chord
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The 'Shoe' Fits
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For The Love Of Food
ON THE COVER: Kahari King, 21, owner of Gnik Digital, gets some work done at Amity Coworking, a shared office space in the historic Water Wheel Centre in downtown Northville. Photo by Bryan Mitchell
Out & About: What’s happening this month 30 It’s Your Business: Urban You 38 Dishin’ With Denise 44
