Community revitalization projects to bring new housing options to Upper Peninsula communities

• Four community development projects will bring needed housing, new vibrancy to downtowns in Upper Peninsula • Supported communities include Iron Mountain, Houghton and Munising

LANSING, Mich. – Projects that will bring needed housing and support growth and economic recovery in three communities in the Upper Peninsula have received support from the Michigan Strategic Fund, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation has announced. The projects are expected to generate a total capital investment of $1.6 million, bringing new vitality and economic activity to the communities of Iron Mountain, Houghton and Munising.

“These projects demonstrate our continued focus on supporting community projects that fill critical needs, such as housing, and also continue to build a foundation for long-term economic resiliency statewide,” said MEDC Senior Vice President of Community Development Michele Wildman. “By contributing to traditional downtown districts and revitalizing underutilized properties, these projects are helping to reaffirm Iron Mountain, Houghton and Munising as attractive places to live, work and play.”

Eden Property Collection LLC plans to convert an underutilized, obsolete second floor of a historic mixed-use building that once served as the town fire hall into seven residential apartments in downtown Iron Mountain. When completed, the Sandstone Studios project will consist of one and two-bedroom market-rate units and a rooftop terrace that will offer common outdoor space and sustainable green elements to the residents. The project is expected to generate a total capital investment of more than $1 million and will supply much-needed housing, as well as bring new vibrancy and increased economic activity to the downtown. MSF approved a Michigan Community Revitalization Program performance-based grant of $414,950 in support of the project. The city of Iron Mountain is providing a 10-year Commercial Rehabilitation Act tax exemption valued at $140,000.

“There is an acute need for new housing options in the area due to growth of the area’s employment base,” said Dickinson Area Economic Development Alliance Director Lois Ellis. “The renovation of this historic property will not only address the housing shortage, but will also serve as a catalyst for additional private investment in the future.”

The city of Houghton has received $442,374 in Community Development Block Grant funds for the Rental Rehab at 510 and 515 Shelden Avenue project. The project will activate new residential space in two historic, mixed-use buildings in the heart of downtown. One includes the transformation of the entire vacant second floor in the building at 515 Shelden into five residential units. The other building is a portion of the historic Lode Theater at 510 Shelden, where two new residential units will be created in the vacant portion of the building.

The total project will activate 4,335 square feet of residential space downtown and will focus on preserving historic or traditional downtown features. At least four of the units will be occupied by low- to moderate-income households for one year. The project is expected to generate a total private investment of $231,647 and will provide much-needed housing in downtown Houghton, while also restoring historic buildings and returning vacant space into active use. The city of Houghton will make an anticipated contribution of four overnight parking permits for the low- to moderate-income households, with an expected value of $1,780.

Houghton is also receiving $253,075 in CDBG funds for interior improvements needed for the Rental Rehab at Lower Houghton 308-310 Shelden Avenue in downtown Houghton. The project will activate new residential space on the rear lower level of an existing mixed-use building. When completed, the vacant space will include four new residential units. The remainder of the building currently contains two commercial spaces. Three of the four apartments will be reserved for low- to moderate-income households. The project is expected to result in private investment of $197,900 and will further meet the demand for residential space in downtown Houghton. The city is expected to contribute three overnight parking permits for the low- to moderate-income households, valued at $1,335.

“The city is excited to be part of this program. With these two developers making significant investments into their downtown buildings and working with MEDC every step of the way, we have another reason to be hopeful about the future,” said Houghton City Manager Eric Waara. “With these projects, Houghton will have two-plus buildings that were underutilized for decades which now will be reactivated to increase the availability of quality housing in our downtown and add to the great stock we have. Their vision and creativity in finding these opportunities and being able to seize on them with MEDC’s assistance will bring more residents to downtown, strengthen our local economy and add to the level of activity that makes our downtown buzz already.”

The city of Munising received $192,500 in CDBG funds for interior improvements needed for the Harley Apartments Rental Rehab project at 102 East Munising in Munising. The project will activate new residential space on the second floor of an existing historic, mixed-use building in the heart of downtown. When completed, the currently vacant and uninhabitable building with include three new one-bedroom apartments on the second floor, with retail space on the first floor. Two of the apartments will be reserved for low- to moderate-income households for five years. The project will activate 1,750 square feet of residential space and will focus on preserving historic or traditional downtown features where possible.

The project is expected to generate $87,711 in private investment and will bring much-needed housing to downtown Munising, especially needed for service workers in the tourism industry. In addition, the project will activate a vacant, historic building and add density to the downtown. The City of Munising is expected to contribute approximately $5,000 toward the exterior improvements to the building.

“The CDBG grant will not help improve a commercial building in the heart of Munising’s downtown district, but this has given us the ability to rehabilitate old units that were in disrepair and will give low- and moderate-income residents the opportunity to live in the core of our downtown,” said Munising Downtown Development Authority Executive Director Kathy Reynolds.

About Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation is the state’s marketing arm and lead advocate for business development, job awareness and community development with the focus on growing Michigan’s economy. For more information on the MEDC and our initiatives, visit www.MichiganBusiness.org. For Pure Michigan® tourism information, your trip begins at www.michigan.org. Join the conversation on: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn, and Twitter.