ESCANABA, MI— A downtown Escanaba revitalization project is getting money from the Build MI Community Grant Initiative.
Spaulding Real Estate, LLC plans to convert vacant space above Cat-Man-Do’s at 1223 Ludington Street into three, one-bedroom apartments.
The project will create a total anticipated capital investment of $496,411, due in part to support from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation through $248,206 in Build MI Community grant funds.
Officials say the project will help increase housing in Escanaba’s downtown area with mid-market rental units and support local businesses through increased workforce housing and residential foot traffic.
“Lack of housing continues to be the leading deterrent for many of our critical economic development opportunities,” said Ed Legault, executive director of the Delta County Economic Development Alliance. “The MEDC’s support of a project to create three market rate apartments in Downtown Escanaba shows their commitment to help solve the housing issues in our area. The Cat-Man-Do’s project will help other developers move forward with similar opportunities.”
"This is a fantastic project for the downtown, bringing housing close to community businesses and night life,” said Craig Woerpel, executive director of the Escanaba Downtown Development Authority. “Cat-Man-Do's offers great food at an iconic bar with outdoor seating and street activities like Muscle on Main car show and Wheelin' Sportsmen fundraiser. Adding housing makes Curt Spaulding a leader in helping to revitalize the downtown. It is great to see the MEDC support this project."
