Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced redevelopment projects receiving support from the bipartisan Revitalization and Placemaking (RAP) program and Michigan Community Revitalization Program (MCRP), creating new opportunities for housing and commercial space across the state.
Mixed-use redevelopments will contribute housing and commercial space to the downtown areas of Calumet and Grand Haven, together generating a total capital investment of over $5.9 million in the state while activating vacant properties and increasing community vibrancy.
“Today’s announcement will help make Michigan communities even better places to live, work, and invest in,” said Governor Whitmer. “Programs like RAP help create vibrant neighborhoods that attract and retain talented workers, add new housing opportunities, open the door for new businesses, and more. Let’s keep working together to help our communities thrive.”
“The MEDC supports community revitalization efforts across the state as part of our ‘Make It in Michigan’ economic development strategy,” said David Meninga, SVP of Community Development Programs & Execution at the MEDC. “These projects in Calumet and Grand Haven will add housing and commercial spaces, strengthening local economies, attracting investment, and enhancing quality of life for residents.”
In the Village of Calumet, two historic, longstanding vacant buildings located at 425 and 427 5th Street will be redeveloped into seven residential apartments and three commercial spaces, providing attainable workforce housing downtown. The project is anticipated to list the apartments between 50%-100% of Area Median Income, with one accessible apartment on the first floor.
The project will be supported by a $1.1 million RAP grant to assist with the historic rehabilitation of the long-blighted building and bring a total anticipated capital investment of $3,677,527. Stabilization and restoration efforts began in 2011 led by the Calumet DDA and Houghton County Land Bank with grant support from the Keweenaw National Historic Park, Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, and State Historic Preservation Office. The Calumet DDA is supporting the project through a $20,205 DDA grant, and the Houghton County Land Bank has recently spent over $120,000 on building stabilization in addition to a substantial amount of volunteer hours to prep the building for redevelopment.
The project is led by emerging developer Nathan McParlan, owner of MCP Properties, LLC. McParlan is a Houghton resident and local small business operator who recently completed his first Michigan Community Revitalization Program (MCRP)-supported project, The Copper Scoop.
“I’m excited to see this project get started,” said developer Nathan McParlan. “It will transform the 4th block of 5th Street. Thank you to MSHDA and the MEDC as well as KEDA for partnering with us in this complex project.”
“This is another major step forward for downtown Calumet,” said Village President Rob Tarvis. “Bringing these historic buildings back to life with new housing and commercial space strengthens our downtown, adds to the momentum we’re seeing throughout the community, and preserves an important part of Calumet’s character for the next generation. We greatly appreciate MEDC’s investment and its continued partnership in Calumet’s revitalization.”
“This project represents years of persistence and partnership to save two important historic buildings and bring them back into productive use,” said Jeff Ratcliffe, executive director of the Keweenaw Economic Development Alliance. “MEDC’s $1.1 million RAP investment is the critical piece that will turn that effort into new housing, commercial space and renewed activity in the heart of downtown Calumet.”
“I’m grateful to the Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s Revitalization and Placemaking program as it continues to invest in our U.P. communities,” said State Sen. Ed McBroom (R-Vulcan). “This project in Downtown Calumet will revitalize formerly vacant properties to add housing and commercial space for our residents. I look forward to seeing the impact of this new development in the U.P.”
The Village of Calumet is engaged with the MEDC’s Redevelopment Ready Communities (RRC) program, which supports communities to drive economic growth and create more vibrant districts.
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