State Grant Money To Support Housing Project In Sault Ste. Marie

Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced Tuesday that state is supporting a project that will provide new affordable housing in Sault Ste. Marie.

McClellan Realty, LLC plans to rehabilitate a vacant, highly visible and historic building in downtown Sault Ste. Marie. When completed, the mixed-use project will consist of two retail spaces on the first floor with additional commercial rental and storage space in the rear. The second floor will contain nine market rate residential apartments. The project is expected to generate a total capital investment of $5.7 million and create three full-time and 11 full-time equivalent positions, supported by a $1.5 million Michigan Community Revitalization Program performance-based grant.

The project will bring much needed housing to downtown Sault Ste. Marie, a high priority for the city. It will also reactivate a prominent historic building that contributes to the Sault Ste. Marie Commercial Historic District, recognized by the National Park Service and the Michigan State Historic Preservation Office. In addition, the project will add density and bring new economic activity to the community, as well as serve as a catalyst for additional revitalization.

The City of Sault Ste. Marie Brownfield Redevelopment Authority has received a $1 million brownfield grant from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy, and the city previously approved the local portion of the brownfield work plan, valued at $51,931 over seven years. The city of Sault Ste. Marie is engaged with MEDC’s RRC program.

“EGLE is pleased to play a role helping put this property back into productive use in Sault Ste. Marie,” said Carrie Geyer, brownfield section manager at EGLE. “Jobs, revenue and much needed housing will be a terrific asset to the community. More than half of EGLE’s annual budget is distributed to cities, towns and villages throughout Michigan to create opportunities like this one, a win-win for the environment and the local economy.”