Garrett Neese/Daily Mining Gazette The exterior of historic Hancock City Hall is in need of restoration.

HANCOCK — Hancock will apply for a state grant to restore the historic city hall’s exterior.

Wednesday, the council approved applying for a $100,000 Resilient Lakeshore Heritage Grant.

The grant was the final thing Downtown Development Authority coordinator Deb Mann was working on before her death, city manager Mary Babcock said. The council held a one-minute moment of silence for Mann at Wednesday’s meeting.

“We worked hard last Wednesday and Thursday to get this in to (the State Historic Preservation Office) to make sure it was included,” Babcock said.

The grant will help the city make sandstone repairs, have the trim repainted and create a museum of historic artifacts downstairs.

“The sandstone on the building is not in good shape right now, and I think it’s time that we pay attention to it,” she said.

Hancock’s city hall dates back to 1899. The first floor originally held the city’s fire hall.

The city would contribute about another $14,000, Babcock said. The repairs had been included in the city’s capital improvement plan.

“I think it’s important to preserve the building,” said Councilor Lisa McKenzie.