Home News Council Seeks Dialogue with VA on Management of Historic Facilities Draft MOA: Allen Park Veterans Affairs Medical Center Transfer

Veterans Affairs July 2001 Draft Memorandum of Agreement for Transfer of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Allen Park, Michigan

MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT
Between the Department of Veterans Affairs
and the Michigan State Historic Preservation Office
submitted to the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation
regarding Transfer of Title of the
Veterans Affairs Medical Center at Allen Park, Michigan

WHEREAS, The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), as mandated by Public Law, plans to turn over to private ownership a property known as the Allen Park VA Medical Center, located in the suburban Allen Park town to the west of downtown Detroit; and

WHEREAS, the Allen Park Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Allen Park, Michigan was determined eligible by the National Park Service for listing on the National Register of Historic Places on January 6, 1981; and

WHEREAS, its significance is derived from its inclusion in the VA's Architectural Set of 50 Medical Centers throughout the nation and many similar examples of the style still exist, including in the state of Michigan at Battle Creek. The Architectural Set is a thematic, multiple property nomination to the National Register. The properties share a common prototype floor plan, campus siting/landscaping, and overall health care design strategy; the exterior facades differ regionally by architectural style. The Allen Park campus was originally constructed in 1938 in the Georgian Colonial Style; and

WHEREAS, the original title executed by Henry Ford in 1937, transferring the land to the then Veterans Administration, stipulated that the land should always be used for the care of veterans. If VA ceases to need it or use it for that purpose, the land should revert back to the Ford family, now represented by Ford Motor Land Development Corporation, in the same condition that it was originally conveyed, without structures or encumbrances; and

WHEREAS, the VA, after consideration of many alternatives, no longer has use for the property and the justification for this decision is demonstrated in numerous studies and documents; and

WHEREAS, the U.S. Congress passed and the President signed on November 1, 2000, a public law mandating the transfer of the entire medical center campus to the Ford Motor Land Development Corporation (FMLDC). It further states that VA will reimburse the FMLDC two million dollars per year for seven years, up to $14 million dollars, for their cost to demolish all structures on the property. The only historic reference prescribed in the law is the requirement to place a flagpole and plaque on the site to acknowledge the one-time presence of the VA in caring for veterans; and

WHEREAS, the transfer of this property will occur absent preservation covenants on the deed of transfer and will likely result in the demolition of all 8 contributing historic structures on the site (buildings #1, #6, #7, #8, #10, #12, #13, and #14) and a flagpole; and

WHEREAS, because property use during the last 50 years has been intense, with significant construction and ground disturbing activities throughout most of the site, there is little likelihood that archaeological resources exist; and

WHEREAS, VA has documented the property and all significant historic buildings through photographic and written record; and

WHEREAS, VA recognizes public interest in the future of the property and has considered comments, suggestions, and proposals from the local group, an Allen Park Historical Society; and

WHEREAS, the historical society supports the future plans for the property and does not object to the demolition of all historic buildings, only requesting an opportunity to salvage important historic architectural building elements; and

WHEREAS, the local community supports the return of the property to the FMLDC, and the anticipated economic and political advantages; and

WHEREAS, VA has determined that the project plans for demolition all historic buildings will adversely effect the eligible historic district at Allen Park; and

WHEREAS, VA has consulted with the Michigan State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO) in accordance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (16 U.S.C. 470f) and its implementing regulations, "Protection of Historic and Cultural Properties" (36 CFR Part 800); and

NOW, THEREFORE, VA, FMLDC, and the Michigan SHPO agree that, upon acceptance of this MOA by the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (Council), and prior to transfer of the property from the Department of Veterans Affairs to the FMLDC, VA shall ensure that the following stipulations are implemented in order to take into account effects on the historic district:

Stipulations

The VA will ensure that the following measures are carried out:

1. VA will have the historic buildings and the overall site recorded so that there will be a permanent record of the history and appearance. This will be done to the standards of The Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS), Level Two, as the original construction drawings exist in original and microfilm forms. The Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS) (National Park Service, Department of the Interior, Washington, D.C. 20243, 202-343-9606) will be contacted to arrange submission procedures. All documentation must be accepted by HABS for submission to the Library of Congress, and the SHPO and VA notified of its acceptance, prior to the demolition or removal of the buildings. Copies of this documentation will be provided to the SHPO.
   
   
2. Ensure permanent storage at the Detroit VA Medical Center Library of all existing historic documents relating to the site, including all modern and historic photographs, site plans, construction drawings (paper and/or microfiche), pamphlets, brochures, and written historic accounts. An exhibit, to include some of these items, on the VA's longstanding presence at Allen Park will be placed on public display within the hospital.
   
   
3. The Michigan State Historic Preservation Office will receive the following items:
   
   1. The entire original set of 5,399 microfilm aperture cards, which contain copies of all the original site plans and construction drawings for the Allen Park VAMC site.
   2. A full copy of the HABS documentation.
   3. Copies of a representative sample of the best historic photographs and any other documents that will enhance the historic record of the site.
      
      
4. The Secretary's Advisory Group will take into consideration the comments of the Michigan SHPO with regard to the design, wording, and placement of the commemorative flagpole and plaque, as specified in the Congressional legislation.
   
   
5. Allow the Allen Park Historical Society and any other interested official preservation groups an opportunity to tour the buildings and remove any and all architecturally significant fixtures and elements they deem worthy of saving for their own curation or future use. This may include chandeliers, fire-pull boxes, architectural ornamentation, etc. Removal will be arranged within 30 days of this agreement by the interested parties at a time mutually agreeable to them and to VA; removal of items be at their expense. A VA representative will accompany them; all parties must wear protective safety clothing, such as hard hats.
   
   
6. If an archeological discovery is made during building demolition, in consultation with the Michigan SHPO, VA and FMLDC will ensure that a plan is developed to recover and document information that would otherwise be lost.
   
   
7. Notify the Keeper of the National Register of Historic Places, National Park Service, to have the property removed from the list of VA-owned properties eligible for listing.

Execution of this Agreement by VA and the SHPO, its subsequent acceptance by the Council, and implementation of its terms, evidence that, in accordance with 36 CFR Part 800, VA has afforded the SHPO and the Council an opportunity to comment on VA's transfer of title to the property, and VA has taken into account the effects on the VA Medical Center at Allen Park, Michigan, which is eligible for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places.

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS:

_____________________________________________
Director, Allen Park VA Medical Center
Date:_______________

_____________________________________________
VHA Chief Facilities Management Officer
Date:_______________

MICHIGAN STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICE:

_____________________________________________
State Historic Preservation Officer
Date:_______________

ACCEPTED: ADVISORY COUNCIL ON HISTORIC PRESERVATION:

By: _____________________________________________ Date:_______________

CONCUR: Ford Motors Land Development Corporation:

By: _____________________________________________ Date:_______________

CONCUR: The Allen Park Historical Society (Optional):

By: _____________________________________________ Date:_______________

Posted October 5, 2001

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