Historic Cody house in Pittsfield Township becomes movie set next week

The historic Cody house in Pittsfield Township is being used for filming this week.

David Wak | For AnnArbor.com

The fate of the historic Cody house in Pittsfield Township has been the subject of much discussion over the last year, mostly centering on whether it makes financial sense to move and preserve it - and possibly turn it into a historical museum.

But next week, the house will serve an entirely different purpose as a movie set for "Cedar Rapids," starring John C. Reilly, Anne Heche, and Ed Helms ("The Office"). Wednesday, Nov. 11 through Friday, Nov. 13, director Miguel Arteta - who also filmed "Youth In Revolt" in Ann Arbor last year - will be there with a crew from the company Northland Productions to shoot some scenes.

The movie was originally set to be filmed in Iowa, but moved production to Michigan after Iowa suspended its film tax incentive in mid-September. Scenes also were shot in downtown Ann Arbor this week.

Pittsfield Township Supervisor Mandy Grewal said it's the first major film production in the township - but she hopes it will be only be the beginning for filmmakers coming to Pittsfield.

"We're very excited it happened here," Grewal said.

Grewal said the production company approached the township Oct. 27 to discuss using the property, but there were a few snags at first. She said the company wanted the township to completely shut down Textile Road for the filming, but the township wouldn't agree because of the large volume of traffic on the road.

In the end, they compromised - only the westbound lane is being closed from 5 p.m. to 7 a.m. from next Wednesday through Saturday night. At the very latest, she said filming will wrap up by noon on Sunday, Nov. 14.Grewal said she also checked with local residents first to see how they felt about the filming and partial road shutdown, and the feedback was positive overall.

Pittsfield Deputy Police Director Gordy Schick said the township will provide three police officers as security for the film crew during the three nights of shooting. The township will be compensated for the costs of the officers, Grewal said.

The historic Greek Revival house is located on Textile Road near State Street. It was built in the 19th century by the Cody family, Pittsfield Township pioneers and cousins of wild west showman Buffalo Bill Cody. Historical records show the more famous Cody visited the house on occasion.

But the house is located on private land, and the owners have asked the township to either buy the house and move it or it will be demolished. The township's previous board voted 4-2 to move the house to the Pittsfield Preserve for $63,000, but the incoming board reversed the decision after taking office last fall.

Grewal said historic preservation is important to the township, but the board needed to find a less expensive way to relocate it. She said she's meeting with the township historical commission on Jan. 15 to discuss a solution.

David Wak is a freelance writer for AnnArbor.com. Reach the news desk at news@annarbor.com or 734-623-2530.