City approves grant to revive downtown building
MARQUETTE — Yet another part of downtown Marquette is about to get a facelift.
The Marquette City Commission voted Monday to approve a Community Development Block Grant. It’s a $570,000 grant provided by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and the Michigan State Housing Development Authority.
The money will be used to renovate 215 South Front Street, formerly known as the Backroom. The store has been vacant since 2012 and is now a blight.
“We’re really looking forward to the renovations, we’re looking forward to putting this building back to use, and we’re really excited about it,” said Mona Lang, the Executive Director for the Downtown Development Authority, “It’s about investment, it’s about new businesses, it’s about new jobs, it’s about new residents. I mean, we’re going to have three new residential units! So, it’s a great opportunity.”
Construction will start some time at the end of the summer. The Commissioners discussed the fact that a wine bar had showed interest in moving in.