Williamston officials are working with the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA)
to get a grant that would help revitalize the historic National Block
Hotel. One option for the hotel includes creating a mixed-use space
with retail on the first floor and office and residential housing on
the second and third floors.
According to excerpts from the article:
With
the building in foreclosure and a deal to purchase the hotel falling
through, council members are re-evaluating their options or risk losing
the historic site.
Community specialist for
MSHDA, Tom Durkee, was invited to speak about the Signature Building
Acquisition grant program, which could potentially save the building.
Built in the 1870s, the hotel located at 109 E. Grand River hasn't operated for nearly 90 years.
During
that time retail stores occupied the space, but for the past six years
it has been dead to the public. Businesses vacate the building because
repairing the problems is too costly, said councilmember Ken Zichi.
Council members see it as a black eye for the city and a site is not appealing to visitors.
"For
people to come into town there is often a lot of talk about the city
being business friendly and a welcome community," said councilmember
Carmen Siciliano.
"It's one more thing that's deterring us from that goal."
With
the hopes of changing the attitude, Durkee discussed the key programs
items and briefly explained how his unit the Community Assistance Team
(CATeam) can assist the city in repairing the building so it can be
used for creating jobs.
The city would
receive the Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) which is used for
public infrastructure, planning/market and signature building
acquisition and grants up to $400,000 from the MSHDA.
"The
ultimate goal is actually based on the City's desire to pursue a grant
if they choose to do so," said Durkee, who is currently doing a grant
with the city for public infrastructure in conjunction with a grocery
store expansion.
Read the entire article here.