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MARQUETTE -- If you take a walk in downtown Marquette, it's easy to see the town's rich history through its buildings.  With some structures dating back to the 1890s, it's no surprise that the city wants to become recognized for its preservation efforts.

Wednesday, the Downtown Development Authority held a special work session to discuss becoming a National Registered Historical District.  In order to receive the honor, the city would have to submit a statement to the State Historic Preservation Office describing how the area fits historically and architecturally.

"They would also have to put together a listing of all the individual buildings.  They will evaluate each one of the buildings, whether they are historically or architecturally eligible and do a little bit of research on each one of the buildings, put together a map, etc.,"  explains Michigan Historic Preservation Network Field Representative Nan Taylor.

While it's a lot of work, city officials feel it is worthwhile.

"Certainly it is an honorary designation.  So from a marketing and promotion perspective, it will help, I think, with tourism," describes Downtown Development Authority Executive Director Mona Lang.

And it looks as though Marquette's chances of getting the designation are good.

"This particular district has got a great deal of the historic integrity and the architectural integrity still left to the buildings.  They don't want to see, for example, a number of newer buildings anywhere or buildings that have been insensitively altered or demolished," Taylor says.

The DDA plans to discuss the process of being a national registered district at Tuesday's work session.  After that, it should be added to the development plan.