4 State lighthouses receive aid from license plate fund:
LANSING: Four lighthouse organizations were awarded $79,048 in lighthouse preservation grants for 2009 through the Michigan Lighthouse Assistance Program.
The Michigan Lighthouse Assistance Program, administered by the State Historic Preservation Office, is funded by proceeds from the sale of the "Save our Lights" license plates. Lighthouse grants are given to state and local organizations that are maintaining or restoring a lighthouse. Recipients must provide 50 percent of the grant award as matching funds.
$29,666- Charlevoix Historical Society-Charlevoix South Pier Lighthouse.
This lighthouse ownership was transferred from the US Coast Guard to the city of Charlevoix in June 2008. The Charlevoix Historical Society will use its fourth grant to repaint the interior of the lighthouse, including surface preparation and lead paint abatement. Previous MLAP grants assisted with ventilation and exterior rehabilitation and painting.
$16,666- Fox Island Lighthouse Association-South Fox Island Lighthouse.
The South Fox Island Lighthouse is owned by the Michigan Department of Resources. The Fox Island Lighthouse Association will use the MLAP grant to hire a consultant to prepare an historic structures report for the lighthouse building.
$24,000- Gull Rock Lightkeepers-Gull Rock Lighthouse.
The Gull Rock Lightkeepers own the lighthouse. They will hire a consultant to prepare plans, specifications and a cost estimate to rehabilitate the interior of the lighthouse. Previous grants assisted in replacing the roof.
$8,716- Keweenaw Land Trust, Manitou Island Lighthouse.
The Keweenaw Land Trust owns the Manitou Island Light Station. Because of its remote location, docks are needed to get materials to the lighthouse for the ongoing rehabilitation project. The 2009 grant, the lighthouse's third, will help pay for materials to stabilize the historic dock, located three-quarters of a mile from the lighthouse, clearing of a foot trail between the dock and the lighthouse, and purchase and installation of a portable dock that can be anchored to the existing pilings of a former dock once located near the lighthouse.
