Gov. Whitmer Announces Funding to Revitalize Buildings Statewide, Adding Vibrancy and Housing to Communities

In the City of Detroit, a vacant, two-story commercial building will be redeveloped into a mixed-use asset for the community. The project, located in the city’s Grand River corridor, revitalizing two commercial spaces on the ground floor and converting the second floor into two affordable residential units.  

Supported by a $186,842 RAP grant, the project is expected to bring a total capital investment of $536,993 and will contribute to the city’s goals for increasing housing and retail. 

This is the first commercial development for developer Shawn Green of 18268 & 18270 Grand River LLC. Green is a licensed realtor with nearly 20 years of experience, owner of Smart Construction & Development and is a member of several Detroit-based developer organizations. 

“I'm a proud native Detroiter and honored to be a part of the city's revitalization, especially in my community the Grandmont-Rosedale Neighborhood, where my family and I have lived for the past eighteen years,” said Shawn Green, CEO of Smart Construction & Development. “My real estate journey began in 2006, and it has been a rewarding experience with ups and downs that taught me many invaluable lessons. It is my hope that my wife Sauda and I can inspire young men and women of our community to aspire and pursue their dreams as we move forward with faith, perseverance and purpose.” 

The project has received local support through a $25,000 small business grant from Detroit Means Business (DMB) Business Assistance program for pre-construction and project management activities at the site. 

“DEGC is pleased to play a role in this project through the Detroit Means Business Grant Program. We prioritize supporting development by emerging developers that facilitate deeply affordable housing and the reactivation of retail spaces in neighborhoods. In fact, the developer will be occupying one of the retail spaces for his business. This is a small project that will have a huge impact in Northwest Detroit,” said David Laurence Howell, Vice President of Development Services for the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation.   

In 2018, Detroit joined the MEDC’s Redevelopment Ready Communities program, which assists local municipalities around the state in establishing a sound foundation for redevelopment and investment to occur in their communities. 

In the City of Dowagiac, a mostly vacant, functionally obsolete three-story building will be redeveloped to create 10 new apartments and reconfigure the commercial space occupied by the Wounded Minnow Saloon. This project will fully activate the upper floors of the Wounded Minnow Building, which is the largest historic property in the main downtown corridor of Dowagiac.  

Supported by $1,431,574 in RAP grant funding, the redevelopment project will bring a total anticipated capital investment of $3,559,241. Developers The Rienks Group have completed similar downtown redevelopment projects, including the rehabilitation of a blighted building in Niles, which also received RAP grant funding through a subgrant allocation. 

“We are thrilled to revitalize this iconic property in historic downtown Dowagiac, transforming the long-vacant floors into attainable housing and reinforcing the city’s vision for a thriving community,” said Peter Rienks, president of The Rienks Group. “This project not only preserves the character of Dowagiac's downtown but also adds 10 new housing units, fostering increased foot traffic and economic vitality while supporting the Wounded Minnow Saloon, a cherished community anchor.” 

As the city aims to attract reinvestment in its downtown, it hopes the project will serve as a catalyst for the creation of additional housing and redevelopment. 

“The 'Wounded Minnow Building' has been a cornerstone of the City of Dowagiac since the Elks built it in 1912. Its redevelopment will breathe new life into unused portions of this beautiful property and bring additional housing to our vibrant downtown,” said Dowagiac Mayor Don Lyons. “One of Dowagiac's highest priorities is to seek out and encourage private investment in our downtown area like the investment The Rienks Group is making in this building. We appreciate the MEDC's commitment to supporting community redevelopment. Paired with tax increment financing, the MEDC's support will help build momentum for our efforts to attract reinvestment into Dowagiac as we continue to create tomorrow.” 

This project will complement the allocation of RAP 2.0 subgrant funding to support the streetscape improvements three blocks south of the Wounded Minnow Building. It will also complement a recent Community Development Block Grant rental rehabilitation project, which added three affordable housing units; the market-rate units in this project will help meet goals for mixed-income housing downtown. 

In the Village of Calumet, two long-vacant historic buildings will be redeveloped into a 17-bed boutique hotel and upscale restaurant, representing the largest private investment in downtown Calumet in recent history.  

Development of the new hotel is being supported by a $1.5 million RAP grant and will bring a total anticipated capital investment of $5,665,965 to the area. Additionally, the project will create 12 new jobs, averaging $19 per hour, and impact local businesses with increased foot traffic in the downtown area. 

Developer Rhonda Maas has extensive experience with historic building restorations in Denver and has recently relocated to the Keweenaw Peninsula, where she has already invested in restoring a historic home in Calumet into a short-term rental. 

“Years ago, when I would visit family in the Keweenaw, I would think – wouldn’t it be great to restore one of these beautiful old buildings?” said Rhonda Maas, owner and president of Building Restoration Specialties. “When this project started, I wanted to select a neglected building in Calumet to save and rebuild. My goal was to create an anchor project that would showcase the ability to revive a neglected structure using the skills of the craftsmen of that era.” 

“As Village Manager, I am proud to see the Hotel Calumet project move forward. Transforming two long-blighted properties into a boutique hotel with a restaurant and lounge below will not only welcome visitors but also create a vibrant gathering place for our residents,” said Village Manager Megan Haselden. “With the support of the MEDC, this investment brings new energy to our downtown and signals the kind of revitalization that will shape Calumet’s future.” 

“The redevelopment of these historic buildings in the heart of Calumet represents both an investment in our past and a commitment to our future,” said Jeff Ratcliffe, executive director of the Keweenaw Economic Development Alliance. “Thanks to the support of the MEDC, this project will preserve our community’s historic character while creating new opportunities for business growth, job creation, and a vibrant downtown experience that will benefit residents and visitors alike.” 

The Village of Calumet will hold a groundbreaking event on Friday, Sept. 12 for the Hotel Calumet project. 

Since its launch in 2022, the Revitalization and Placemaking program has supported 238 total projects in communities across the state.  

Michigan Community Revitalization Program award supports new housing in Manistique 

In the City of Manistique, a former funeral home will be renovated to create five new residential units and three commercial storage spaces on the lower level, addressing the local housing shortage and increasing density in a highly valued downtown location. 

This redevelopment is being supported by a $995,000 MCRP performance-based grant and will bring a total anticipated capital investment of $2,211,997 to the area. 

Cathy and Mark Rohde are first-time developers with longstanding family ties to the Manistique community and are committed to helping further develop the city’s downtown.

“I am so thankful to MEDC for the grant award to convert the old funeral home into five apartments, which will help alleviate some of the housing shortage in Manistique,” said developer Cathy Rohde. “Without their help and guidance, this project would not have come to fruition. I am also grateful to Victoria George at STC and Corey Barr and the City of Manistique for their help and support.”

“The City of Manistique is pleased to see this project moving forward,” said City Manager Corey Barr. “It represents a strong partnership between the developers, contractor, and the MEDC to bring much-needed housing with ADA accessibility to both the City and Schoolcraft County. The City is proud to support this development through a local OPRA tax abatement incentive.”

“We are incredibly thankful to Cathy and Mark Rohde for their investment in our community,” said Victoria George, executive director of Schoolcraft Tourism & Commerce. “The are revitalizing an obsolete building and will be creating five much-needed housing rental units by converting the old funeral home. This project will help address a critical housing need in our area, and we are grateful for the support they are receiving through the MEDC’s Michigan Community Revitalization Program grant. Their commitment is helping to strengthen and grow our community.”

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