By Mark Sanchez(June 14, 2007) - The $5.9 million rehabilitation of one of Muskegon’s oldest structures is among six projects statewide recognized for historic preservation.HDC Construction Co. in Novi transformed the 102-year-old Muskegon Boiler Works Building near downtown into what’s now known as Art Works of Muskegon. The project recently received the Governor’s Award for Historic Preservation.Art Works, on East Eighth Street across from Muskegon Lake, includes 26 loft apartments and offers 3,000 square feet of space to local for artists to work and exhibit their creations.Working with Muskegon Construction Co. and Hooker DeJong Architects and Engineers in Muskegon, HDC Construction “demonstrated real vision and commitment to rehabilitating one of Muskegon’s important industrial sites,” the Michigan Office of Historic Preservation stated.”They recognized a need in Muskegon for creative artist live/work spaces and saw the potential in the gritty former factory building. They have returned an important historic resource to productive use that is spurring additional reinvestment in Muskegon’s downtown area.”The state estimates the project had an overall economic impact of $13.2 million and created 153 jobs. Created in 2003, the Governor’s Award for Historic Preservation recognizes individuals, developers, corporations, academic institutions and local governments for rehabilitating historic structure and implementing policies that promote preservation.Historic preservation tax-credit projects in 2006 stimulated more than $165 million in private investment in projects across the state, resulting in a direct and indirect economic impact of $353 million, according to the Office of Historic Preservation.”You work to preserve the valuable historic resources that are an integral part of our past, present and future makes our cities more vibrant and our neighborhoods more comfortable,” Gov. Jennifer Granholm wrote in letters to 2007 award recipients.Built in 1905, the brick building originally housed Muskegon Boiler Works, a company formed in 1865 and previously known as Turnbull Boiler Works, which produced boilers and repaired machinery for Muskegon’s lumber industry. The company continued operations until 1998.HDC Construction bought the property in 2005.© 2007 BDW© 2007 Michigan Live. All Rights Reserved.