DDA applies for grant to help with The Delft Theater renovations

Plans are moving forward to renovate the Delft Theater in Marquette.

The Downtown Development authority is applying for a Community Development Block Grant through the Michigan Economic Development Corporation to help with the theater’s redevelopment project.

The Marquette City Commission approved the grant application at its meeting Tuesday night.

“The project is moving along, it’s not in the bag yet so to speak, but we think we’re pretty positive about it,” Marquette City Commissioner Don  Ryan said.  “It looks like it’s something that can be completed sometime in the near future.”

Commissioner Ryan sees The Delft Theater renovations as another reason for people to visit downtown Marquette.

“(Downtown Marquette) is a great place to be,” he said.  “Obviously we have some great restaurants, there will be another great restaurant, and it will be unique in its own way, and I think this (The Delft renovation) just helps make downtown more viable, and that’s a good thing.”

Developers Tom Vear and Jennifer Ray would still have to invest some of their own funds into the renovating the building.

The grant is worth $481,000.