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Apartments, new restaurant part of renovation plans at historic building in downtown Kalamazoo

An historic building in downtown Kalamazoo will soon undergo renovations to make way for 11 apartments above the city’s oldest restaurant.

The renovations are being led by 266 Michigan Ave. Kalamazoo LLC, which boasts the East Michigan address of the property being renovated in its name, according to a news release from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.

The property is home to Kalamazoo’s family-owned Coney Island, which has been in business on site since 1915. When renovations are completed, the property will also be home to 11 residential units on the upper floors. There will also be other upgrades to the building to include an elevator and an enhanced façade at the rear of the property, the release states.

Renovation plans also include space for a second restaurant on the first floor, the release states. That space was most recently occupied by Ouzos, a Greek restaurant that was owned by the Adams family which has owned and operated the Coney Island since 1932. Michael Adams told MLive in an interview earlier this year that the restaurant space was sold to the LLC with the remainder of the building.

The Coney Island will continue to operate on site.

“The Hall Block at 266 East Michigan is the last remaining large historic building with three stories of vacant space in the Haymarket historic district,” said Kalamazoo Sustainable Development Coordinator Jamie McCarthy in a statement. “We greatly appreciate this investment by the developer and the Michigan Strategic Fund which will contribute to making downtown an amazing place to live, work, and visit.”

McCarthy said the renovation is a collaboration between the Brownfield Redevelopment Authority, Kalamazoo Downtown Partnership and Downtown Economic Growth Authority.

The project is expected to generate a total capital investment of $3.5 million and create five jobs, resulting in a $420,000 Michigan Community Revitalization Program performance-based grant.

“The project will transform an underutilized building into a vibrant, attractive property, bringing much-needed housing near several major employers. The project is also expected to draw additional visitors to the downtown area and serve as a catalyst for additional economic activity,” the release states.

Inquiries regarding the type of apartments that will occupy the building were made to both the MEDC as well as attorney Steven Rypma, who is listed as the resident agent with 266 Michigan Ave. Kalamazoo LLC. Neither party responded prior to deadline.

The City of Kalamazoo Brownfield Redevelopment Authority has received MSF approval of a brownfield work plan that will include $31,946 in state tax capture reimbursement for the remediation of brownfield conditions at the site. The Downtown Economic Growth Authority is also approving 20-year tax increment financing valued at $163,974, according to the MEDC.

Posted By: mlive.com on June 16, 2021.  For more information, please click here to read the source article.

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