The Kirkish Building project earns a 1.5 million dollar revitalization and placemaking grant from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. Last week Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced two RAP grant awards will support projects in Gaylord and Houghton to create commercial space and solve housing challenges.
L and Z Rental Inc. plans to rehabilitate the blighted structure and create nine new housing units inside the four-story building, with commercial space on the first floor. The building was constructed in 1910 and has been vacant since 2013. In 2016 a project to remedy a partial roof collapse was derailed. Ruixuan Zhang and Wuze Li, who own Sky Sushi, are behind the development plans and have worked closely with the city of Houghton, Keweenaw Economic Development Alliance, and Traverse Engineering to prepare the project.
Zhang says revitalizing a historic building in Houghton has been a long-held vision, and the couple is excited to provide high-quality housing and build upon the downtown’s vibrant community. Zhang extended gratitude to UP state bank KEDA, the Houghton County Brownfield Authority, Invest UP MEDC, and the city of Houghton for guidance in bringing the idea of the project to reality. Houghton City manager Eric Waara said this project will bring a structure that has been vacant for over a decade back to life.
Find more information here.
Comments