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Bliss: Grand Rapids 'actively engaged' on historic district bills

Rosalynn Bliss
Hilary Farrell
/
WGVU

Grand Rapids Mayor Rosalynn Bliss says the city’s advocating at the state level for changes to historic district proposals introduced by west Michigan lawmakers last month.

"We are actively engaged on this issue, trying to make amendments and changes to the bill," Bliss says. "We have a team of lobbyists in Lansing that have been actively pursuing this, and have been working on it in partnership with some city staff. "

The bills introduced jointly in the state House and Senate would change how historic districts operate and are governed in Michigan.

Multiple historic districts and municipalities have since criticized the bills, accusing them of dismantling a district’s authority – among other issues.

Bliss says city leadership also wrote to state Representative and bill co-sponsor Chris Afendoulis of Grand Rapids Township to express concerns.

Proponents of the bills say they’re meant to modernize language and provide districts with more local control.

Hilary is a General Assignment and Enterprise reporter for WGVU Public Media. She joined WGVU in September 2014 after several years of experience as a local news reporter, anchor and photojournalist in Midland, Saginaw and Bay counties. She's also worked as a financial and business reporter and audio field producer.
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