Governor Whitmer Builds on Record-Breaking Housing Momentum, Announces Housing Developments in Gaylord, Houghton

Support through the Revitalization and Placemaking program will rehabilitate vacant space to create 17 total housing units and commercial space

LANSING, Mich. – Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced two Northern Michigan redevelopment projects receiving support from the bipartisan Revitalization and Placemaking (RAP) program, which will see the rehabilitation of vacant buildings in Gaylord and Houghton to create commercial space and 17 total housing units. Together, the projects will generate a total capital investment of over $7.35 million, while also creating residential density and vibrancy in their downtown areas.

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

“Support for these projects in Gaylord and Houghton will turn vacant buildings into vibrant commercial space and housing, growing our economy and helping more families ‘make it’ here in northern Michigan,” said Governor Whitmer. “Across Michigan, the RAP program helps us grow our economy, support people, invest in places, and win projects. Let’s keep working together to recruit top tier talent, drive down the cost of housing, and make every region of our state more vibrant.”

“Governor Whitmer and I are committed to growing access to affordable housing and helping every Michigander find an affordable place to live in a vibrant community,” said Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II. “The Revitalization and Placemaking program turns abandoned or vacant buildings into housing and commercial space, growing our economy and helping more families and businesses be their best selves right here in Michigan. Let’s keep working together to get things done.”

“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 residents and vibrancy to downtown Gaylord and Houghton.”

In Downtown Gaylord, developers Go North Properties, LLC will redevelop an existing and vacant three-story, 22,584-square-foot office building at 127 West Main Street into eight new residential units and approximately 5,519 square feet of commercial space.

The project is being supported by a $935,875 RAP grant, which will transform a prominent building in Downtown Gaylord into much-needed housing and modern commercial space. Go North Properties has over 20 years of experience in real estate development and management, including the James Quick House and Phoenix Building in Gaylord.

“Go North Properties is excited and proud to partner with the City and the MEDC in redeveloping a landmark downtown property - the Harold Elgas Clock Tower,” said developer Gary Scott. “Harold Elgas and the Gaylord State Bank were part of a dedicated group of local citizens determined to reestablish and rebrand Gaylord in the late 1950s and 60s as a recreational destination. Go North Properties is dedicated to play a part in the new downtown housing initiative to help support the growing economic needs of Gaylord.”

“This redevelopment project at 127 West Main Street represents exactly the kind of thoughtful, mixed-use development we need in downtown Gaylord,” said Assistant City Manager Erika Peters. “The MEDC's significant support through the RAP program demonstrates their understanding that smaller, rural communities in Northern Michigan need strategic investment to remain vibrant and growing. By transforming underutilized office space into eight new residential units and modern commercial space, we're not just renovating a building – we're breathing new life into our downtown core. The combination of MEDC support, along with our city's tax abatement program and brownfield grant, shows how multi-level partnerships can make transformative projects possible in communities like ours. This is exactly the type of investment Northern Michigan needs to continue thriving.”

In Houghton, developer L and Z Rental Inc. will rehabilitate a vacant, blighted, four-story building into nine apartments, along with two commercial spaces. Supported by a $1.5 million RAP grant, this project will promote walkability, transform a blighted structure into a community asset and create much-needed housing in the downtown area.

The 12,120-square-foot historic building was constructed in 1910 and has been vacant since 2013. A partial roof collapse in 2016 derailed a previous attempt to rehabilitate the property, leaving this prominent building at the end of Houghton’s main historic downtown corridor empty.

L and Z Rental Inc. is a partnership between Ruixuan Zhang and Wuze Li, a married couple who currently co-own a popular and successful sushi restaurant in downtown Houghton. The development team is working closely with the local economic development organization, Keweenaw Economic Development Alliance and an engineering firm, Traverse Engineering, to provide pre-development consulting and construction management of the project.

“Revitalizing the historic building in Houghton has been our long-held vision, and we are thrilled to see it come to life,” said developer Ruixuan Zhang. “This project will not only provide high-quality housing in downtown but also allow us to expand our restaurant, contributing to a more vibrant downtown community. We are deeply grateful for the unwavering support from all our partners. The collective efforts of UP State Bank, KEDA, the Houghton County Brownfield Authority, Invest UP, MEDC, and the city have been instrumental in making this project a reality. We sincerely appreciate the dedication and collaboration that have made this transformative development possible.”

The rehabilitation of the historic building adjacent to the iconic Portage Lake Lift Bridge is a top priority for the city of Houghton and will provide a lasting impact on the downtown area.

“The City of Houghton is incredibly excited to see this project moving forward to the next stage,” said Houghton City Manager Eric Waara. “The project will bring one of our iconic downtown buildings, which has been through a lot in the last decade, back to life. The addition of the residential units will further increase our downtown’s vitality with more people living there and the new commercial space will see one of our restaurants able to expand into new space. It has been great to see how so many partners can come together on a project like this for the good of the community. That collective support for the developer’s investment by UP State Bank, KEDA, the Houghton County Brownfield Authority, Invest UP, MEDC, and the city is what made it happen.”

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.