DDA Approves Historic Home For Fire In Movie
CHARLEVOIX -- It’s been sitting in the heart of a Northern Michigan city for longer than a century. Now a fiery demolition for a historic home is just weeks away.
City officials in Charlevoix have given the go-ahead to a Michigan Production Company to film an action scene at the home, which will leave it in ashes. Grooters Production started filming “The Frontier Boys” two years ago in Charlevoix. The producer was born and raised in the area; even attended Charlevoix High School.
While the city isn’t getting paid by the production company, it has brought a much needed winter time economic boost to shops, restaurants, and hotels.
Downtown Development Authority Executive Director, Keith Carey says “I think it’s very exciting for the community. I think Charlevoix residents have always thought they lived in a beautiful community."
Residents aren’t taking a backseat to the movie. They’ve appeared in crowd scenes filmed at Charlevoix High School. However, it’s the scene filmmakers haven’t shot that’s stirring up controversy. Filmmakers have asked city officials if they can use a 125-year old home as part of an action scene, but they would burn it down.
Carey says "It’s part of a neighborhood with a great deal of character. The DDA purchased it in 1995 it was not in pristine condition at the time. Initially the idea was to demolish it and expand parking."
City officials claim they did everything they could to preserve the building. The city itself didn’t have money in the budget to renovate, but they thought a local preservation group could find a way to save the home. The sluggish economy again prevented the group from remodeling. The final attempt involved selling the home for $1 to anyone that was willing to move the home to another location. Carey claims no one came forward. Now, he believes using the home for a movie is a win, win. The city needs it knocked down for parking, the fire department will use the blaze as training.
Carey says "Most fire departments end up outside cities and villages and in the country where they don't have to worry about obstacles. Urban training scenarios like this, provide unique training for our fire department.”
Before the building can be demolished, city officials must have an asbestos inspection. That’s taking place this week. They’re hopeful permits will be issued by the March 23rd filming date already planned.
