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Two building projects in Calumet will receive big boosts from the state.
Grants from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s Michigan Strategic Fund will help pay for renovations of the historic structures.
Fire Tower Property Group, LLC plans to redevelop the two-story building at 104 Fifth Street, and will use the building as their headquarters. The Michigan Strategic Fund grant will cover $307,176 of the expected $644,826 cost. 104 Fifth Street suffered smoke and water damage during the 2021 fire that destroyed several adjacent buildings. Fire Tower Property Group Manager Joe Miller said it would have been cheaper to tear down the building and relocate to office space outside downtown, but the state money will enable them to preserve the historic structure, and keep it on the tax rolls.
The village of Calumet is contributing a $10,000 grant to upgrade water service to the building, which was built around 1902 by Edward Ulseth, as headquarters for his construction company.
Learn more about the building here.
A block away, Vianis Realty, LLC will get state help to rehabilitate 201 Fifth Street into a mixed-use development. The grant will cover $574,648 of the expected $1,212,181 cost. Vianis plans to include three residential units, and two commercial spaces in the building which dates back to the 1870s, and was originally known as the Baer Brothers Meat Market.
Local support for the project includes a $5,000 Calumet DDA investment in improvements to the building. The village is providing six parking spaces in a nearby public parking lot with a $7,200 value over 10 years.
Learn more about the building here.
