PUBLIC NOTICE
Public Notice Regarding the National Endowment for the Humanities’ Section 106 Review of the Ford Piquette Plant ADA Compliance Project:
The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) has offered Model-T Automotive Heritage Complex, Inc. (Museum, in Detroit, Michigan a Challenge Infrastructure and Capacity Building grant (CHA-295545). The Challenge project will support the design and construction of ADA-compliant improvements (passenger elevator and restrooms) at the historic Ford Piquette Plant Museum.
NEH is an independent grant-making agency of the United States government dedicated to supporting research, education, preservation, and public programs in the humanities. This public notice is issued as part of NEH’s responsibilities under 36 C.F.R. Part 800, the regulations which implement Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) of 1966, as amended, 54 U.S.C. 306108. NEH, a funding agency, is required by regulation to identify and assess the effects of any proposed actions on historic properties. If any proposed action will have an adverse effect on historic resources, NEH works with the appropriate parties to seek ways to avoid, minimize, or mitigate any adverse effects. Additionally, the Section 106 regulations require NEH to consider the views of the public on preservation issues when making final decisions that affect historic properties.
The Ford Piquette Plant Museum is located at 461 Piquette Ave. Detroit, Michigan 48202. The building was dedicated as a part of the Motorcities National Heritage Area in 1996. It has the following historic designations:
National Register of Historic Places (NHRP #02000041) National Historic Landmark Contributing property to MotorCities National Heritage Area State Historic Site
The proposed scope of work involves:
The restrooms will feature finishes and fixtures that meet the requirements of the Secretary of the Interior, Standards for Preservation and will be designed to blend seamlessly with the historic character of the building. The rest room will be stacked vertically to minimize the need to add new piping, and all such piping will be hidden from view.
The elevator component of the project included the addition of a modern elevator sized to fit in the historic elevator shaft. Demolition will include the excavation of a shallow pit in the base of the shaft and removal of concrete floors (that were added after the historically significant period on the second and third floors). The elevator shaft currently houses the only restrooms in the building (which were also constructed at some time after the historically significant period). These will be removed to provide for the reinstallation of an elevator.
On October 1, 2024, Ryan M. Schumaker, State Historic Preservation Officer, indicated that the project will have no adverse effect. After reviewing Section 106 documentation and SHPO finding, NEH issues a determination of no adverse effects.
As required by Section 106, NEH is providing the public with information about this project, as well as an opportunity to comment on any knowledge of, or concerns with, historic properties in the proposed project area, and issues relating to the project’s potential effects on historic properties. Comments may be submitted to the NEH by e-mail to FPO@neh.gov. The deadline for submitting comments is Friday, November 8, 2024.