City manager continues talks with developers; hazardous material study approved
By Barb Pert Templeton
At an April 3 commission meeting Marine City Manager Michael Reaves presented a detailed report to officials about the old city office building located at 300 Broadway.
The building, which dates to 1884, plus the property it’s on, are currently within the city’s historic district.
Reaves begin by stating that he’s had several ongoing discussions with multiple commercial brokers who have experience with historic buildings and redevelopment or mixed development projects.
“They have the ability to attract attention from across the nation and across the world,” Reaves said noting he wasn’t confining things to just St. Clair County or even Michigan.
So far, several broker/realtors, two developers and an architect have done walk-throughs at the property and shared their thoughts with Reaves.
One individual suggested having mixed use for the building that could include loft living, light commercial maybe a coffee shop or daycare center and a public use section too. On the property adjacent to the building this developer suggested cluster townhouse homes that would match the style of the existing structure and give him a return on his investment in the building.
“This is one person’s idea, he didn’t commit to the project or anything,” Reaves said.
He’s also working with multiple parties to look into grant possibilities through the State of Michigan to see what they could line up as an incentive package for the building.
Under issues that have to be addressed first Reaves include the appearance of contamination inside the building and said a study needs to be done to rule that out. Reaves sought four quotes to do a study on the issue and got two bids back, one for $4,100 and the other was for $3,750 but would include up to 100 samples at $25 each. The higher priced quote did not include samples.
“So basically, for $4,000, I can have the building tested and the samples returned and then we can have a determination as to what the issues may be with the building,” Reaves said, noting that by law the city would have to address those issues before the facility could be sold.
As an example, Reaves said let’s say it’s asbestos, lead paint or plaster, the samples are taken and if confirmation is completed the city has to look at costs to remove those items.
“We’ll finally put that to rest, it’s been a rumor or a myth, let’s do some testing and I can get some pricing on remediation,” Reaves said.
As for possible demolition of the building, the city manager told officials he got several quotes should that be considered in the future.
Manager seeks direction on project
At this time, Reaves said he was looking for direction/approval from the commission on several things:
· The first was to hire the testing firm at a cost of $4,000.
· The second was to allow him to continue to interview and locate potential brokers and commercial realtors that have experience in redeveloping historic properties.
· Third was to ascertain the value of the building and the property.
The historic building at 300 Broadway in Marine City is in disrepair and the city need to decide what to do with it.
“There’s been a lot of numbers associated with the building and the property for many years, I’d like to get something on paper so before we go back to agree to a broker or agree to anything we have some numbers we can work with,” he said.
The number he’s currently laser focused on is the figure, $11.3 million dollars, which they city has been told is what’s needed to bring the building up to standards. Reaves noted that the building has a roof issue, a failing heating system and additional issues with keeping the heat on during the winter months that affect the operation of the fire suppression system.
“The ultimate goal here is as minimal money as I can, in order to keep the building as it is, at its current state without incurring more damage and in addition work this process through,” Reaves said.
Mayor Pro Tem Lisa Hendrick asked Reaves if any of the interested parties mentioned the fact that the building is located in the city’s historic district.
Reaves said some have mentioned it and there is a way to deal with it. For example, the city could decertify the land from being a park and ask the state to withdraw the historic site rating it currently carries in order to sell it.
“I haven’t got into that yet because I don’t think we’re at that point,” Reaves said. “I want to make sure I’m methodically checking off options and checking with the right people and seeing what I can do.”
“I told you I want to drive this from a mixed-use development, keeping the bulidng and having the best of both worlds until absolutely they tell me that’s not an option,” he added.
Reaves said he had a lengthy conversation with the developers redoing the Traverse City State Hospital in northern Michigan. It’s a historical site that’s undergoing a massive renovation to include condos, businesses and senior living, all laid out in phases.
“I learned quite a bit from them and they’ve been very helpful,” Reaves said. “It’s a big reach, I won’t get it done right away, I’m working on it every day, but I think we can walk and chew gum at the same time, let’s get this stuff going, try to get developers to walk through the building, getting a broker on the line, get it published out so people know about the opportunity.”
“I’m extremely happy that we are actually doing something, it’s bothered me for awhile that we’ve talked and talked and nothing ever came of it,” Commissioner Jacob Bryson said.
Bryson then made a motion to approve the spending of $4,000 for the hazardous material building study and to also allow the city manager to contact any third parties, brokers, etc. so options can be provided to the commission to see what the next steps might be.
The commission was unanimous in it’ approval of Bryson’s motion. Mayor Jennifer Vandenbossche was absent from the April 3 meeting due to illness.
Reaves said he hopes his next report to the board will provide them with the study results and a recommendation on a broker.
