More Housing, Space for Small Business coming to Detroit and Alma

The rehabilitation of vacant properties will add housing, commercial space, and increased density to Detroit’s North End and downtown Alma

LANSING, Mich. – Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced redevelopment projects receiving support from the Revitalization and Placemaking (RAP) program, which will see the rehabilitation of vacant and functionally obsolete buildings in Detroit’s North End and downtown Alma. Together, the projects will create 19 residential units and generate a total capital investment of over $6.2 million in the state. 

The RAP program provides access to gap financing for place-based infrastructure development, real estate rehabilitation and development, and public space improvements.  

“Today’s projects in Detroit and Alma will revitalize abandoned buildings into new housing and space for small businesses,” said Governor Whitmer. “The RAP program helps us make our big cities and small towns better, more affordable places to live, work, and do business. These investments show how we’re improving quality of life for Michiganders by replacing old, abandoned buildings with new ones that give more Michiganders an affordable place to live or start or grow their own business. Let’s keep working together to lower costs for buyers and renters and reinvest in our communities.” 

“On behalf of the MEDC, we are pleased to work with communities across Michigan and invest in their resilience through the RAP program as part of our ‘Make It in Michigan’ economic strategy’s placemaking efforts,” said Michele Wildman, MEDC Chief Place Officer. “We look forward to seeing how these projects bring new life to vacant buildings while improving Detroit and downtown Alma for their communities and residents.” 

 

Hundred-year-old building in Detroit’s North End to be revitalized into new residential housing and commercial space 

In Detroit’s North End, a vacant and blighted hundred-year-old building located at 9301 Oakland Avenue will be redeveloped into 10 residential units and 5,200 square feet of commercial space, enhancing walkability and connectivity to the neighboring commercial corridor.  

The project, which is supported by $507,713 in RAP grant funding, is expected to generate a total capital investment of $3,202,007. 

Developer Stafford House, Inc. has served the North End community through the rehabilitation and sale of several single-family homes. They are leveraging local and state resources for the project, including: a PA 210 Tax Abatement valued at $249,959 from the City of Detroit; a $75,000 grant through the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation’s Motor City Match Program; and a $91,000 grant through the City of Detroit Housing & Revitalization Department’s ASA Accessibility Program. Wayne County is also supporting the development with an environmental grant valued at $14,840, and the project secured a Michigan State Housing Development Authority Missing Middle grant valued at $800,000. 

“This development will eliminate neighborhood blight and address the shortage of affordable housing,” said Lendon Crosby, chairman and president of Stafford House. “Our project will offer workforce development and technology training in the commercial space that will create a pipeline for manufacturing jobs. The rich history of Oakland Ave. will also be preserved by the renovation of this historic building. This beacon of light will begin a resurgence of commercial services and amenities coming to Oakland Ave.” 

“After sitting empty for a decade, this development is now delivering new affordable residential units at 60%-70% AMI,” said Kaci Jackson, senior manager of Development Services at the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation. “When developers commit to true affordability, we work to identify every available financing tool to support their vision. The DEGC is proud to have leveraged City and State partnerships to transform this property into affordable housing and new retail opportunities for residents in the North End.” 

"I am pleased to congratulate Ms. Patricia Dockery, a fourth-generation Detroiter, and the Stafford House team," said Rep. Tonya Myers Phillips (D-Detroit). "The Stafford House expansion is an exciting and important project in the journey to fully restore historic Oakland Avenue in Detroit’s North End Community."

 

Downtown Alma rehabilitation project to create nine new housing units, adding vibrancy to the community 

In Alma, the project will rehabilitate 311 E. Superior Street, a long-vacant, 12,111 sq.-ft. building to create much-needed housing in the community while reactivating a vacant commercial storefront. This project, supported by a $1,162,000 RAP grant, will create nine new housing units and generate a total capital investment of over $3 million, adding vibrancy and density to the community’s downtown.  

The project will also include updates to the exterior façade, and restoration to the original masonry, along with new signage. The building is in a National Register of Historic Places district. Upon construction completion, the building will bring new residents and added density to an area that serves as a hub of activity in downtown Alma. 

“This grant is a great opportunity to help provide much needed housing, as well as preserve a historic part of downtown,” said State Rep. Jerry Neyer (R-Shepherd). 

This latest project builds on placemaking initiatives in Alma supported by the MEDC, including the Highland Lofts project supported by the Michigan Strategic Fund (MSF) board in February 2023. This redevelopment of a historic building, supported by a $1.5 million Michigan Community Revitalization Program (MCRP) grant, will also add critical housing to downtown Alma. The city of Alma is also engaged in the MEDC’s Redevelopment Ready Communities program, which supports communities across the state as they work to attract and retain businesses. 

Property manager Gemini Capital Management currently manages over 100 different rental properties throughout Isabella and Gratiot counties, including the Alma Brewery Apartments and 313 Development on N. State Street, which received MSF support in 2021 through a $900,000 MCRP grant.  

“I am pleased to continue our tradition of rehabilitating historic properties throughout Gratiot County and am especially excited to complete another project in Alma that will enhance downtown’s vibrancy by adding much-needed housing and commercial space,” said Ryan Smith of Gemini Capital Management. “This project wouldn’t be possible without the incredible support from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, the City of Alma and the Gratiot County Brownfield Authority. Strategic investments and public-private partnerships like this one are vital to improving our community and ensuring its long-term success.” 

 

 

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.