Houghton Sets Public Hearing for a Commercial Rehabilitation District at 109 Sheldon Avenue

Houghton has set a public hearing date for a commercial rehabilitation district for a property on Sheldon Avenue. The city was recently approached by the owners of the former Kirkish Furniture building, at 109 Sheldon Avenue, about moving forward on a rehabilitation project for the building. Houghton has not received an official application from the owners but sought to move forward with scheduling the public hearing to help jump start the process. 

“They are looking at doing a major rehabilitation to that building. I’m pretty sure that they’ll get MEDC involved as well. And they are also asking to enact one of those tools we talked about a few months ago. Which would be a commercial rehabilitation district. So right now this is just going to set the public hearing.” – Eric Waara, City Manager, City of Houghton

Commercial Rehabilitation districts in Michigan are defined as a building or group of contiguous commercial properties 15 years or older, with the primary purpose of operating a commercial business enterprise or multifamily residential use. In 2005 the state amended commercial rehabilitation district legislation so redeveloping communities have an easier tool kit to work with. Before a CRD exemption can be granted a municipality must pass a specific resolution for the property. Houghton will hold a public hearing in the Commercial Rehabilitation District for 109 Sheldon Avenue on April 24th.

Learn more about Commercial Rehabilitation Districts in Michigan here and here.