A pair of Upper Peninsula redevelopment projects will receive support from the Michigan Revitalization and Placemaking program, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced this week, bringing housing and commercial space to two communities. Mixed-use redevelopments will contribute housing and commercial space to the downtown areas of Hancock and Manistique in the U.P., as well as Marshall, in southwest Michigan, generating a capital investment of over $7.6 million, Whitmer’s office said in a press release.
“Support for these projects in Hancock, Manistique, and Marshall highlights Michigan as the best place to grow and thrive,” Whitmer said. “Our growing economy and ‘Make it in Michigan’ strategy that invests in people, revitalizes places, and wins projects is paying off.”
The RAP program provides access to gap financing for place-based infrastructure development and real estate rehabilitation and development.
In Hancock, at the base of the Keweenaw Peninsula, the Weider Block building in the heart of the Quincy Street Historic District will be rehabilitated into a mixed-use development, including a brewery and tasting room and four apartments on the second floor, the release said. The project includes restoration of the interior and exterior of the vacant building.
In Manistique, along U.S. on the north shore of Lake Michigan, a vacant two-story building downtown at 109 River St. will be rehabilitated into a community hub featuring commercial and residential space. The project includes three new apartments — a two-bedroom unit on the first floor and two one-bedroom units on the second floor — as well as 1,255 square feet of commercial storefront space.
In Marshall, two adjacent three-story properties will be redeveloped to create eight new residential apartments and three new commercial spaces, while also preserving one activated commercial space.
“The MEDC is proud to support the growth and resilience of communities across our two peninsulas as part of the state’s ‘Make It in Michigan’ economic development strategy,” said Michele Wildman, the MEDC’s senior vice president of community planning and development readiness. “These projects in Hancock, Manistique, and Marshall will add housing, commercial space, and residential amenities, increasing economic activity in their communities.”
What’s happening in Hancock?
The Weider Block building in the heart of the Quincy Street Historic District will be rehabilitated into a mixed-use development, including a brewery and tasting room and four apartments on the second floor, the release said. The project includes restoration of the interior and exterior of the vacant building.
The project received a $1.2 million RAP grant. The city is supporting the project with a Downtown Development Authority Facade grant of $15,000. The project total is $2.5 million.
“The restoration of the historic Weider Block building at 115 Quincy St. in downtown Hancock will bring new life into our growing downtown, adding additional housing as well as a welcoming third space for the community in the taproom of Staghorn Brewing Company,” developer Jonathon Nagel said.
The project is among other recent placemaking efforts in Hancock supported by the MEDC, including a $4.5 million performance-based Michigan Community Revitalization Program Direct Loan for the Skyline Commons project.
Approved in October 2025, that project will create 27 new residential apartments and provide broader community impact.
“The redevelopment of 115 Quincy St. is a significant investment in Hancock’s downtown,” City Manager Mary Babcock said. “This project aligns with our community’s priorities of expanding housing and revitalizing downtown projects. The addition of housing and Staghorn Brewing Company will play a key role in strengthening the downtown economy and enhancing community.”
Where is Hancock?
Hancock is located along the Portage Canal, across from Houghton. U.S. 41 passes through the city en route to Copper Harbor, and M-26 and M-203 both travel through town as well.
Hancock is the north end of the Portage Canal Lift Bridge, and is the location of the historic Quincy Mine. Mont Ripley is at the east end of the city while F.J. McLain State Park is on Lake Superior to the west at the end of M-203.
The city formerly was home to Finlandia University, which closed in 2023.
What’s happening in Manistique?
A vacant two-story building downtown at 109 River St. will be rehabilitated into a community hub featuring commercial and residential space. The project includes three new apartments — a two-bedroom unit on the first floor and two one-bedroom units on the second floor — as well as 1,255 square feet of commercial storefront space.
Modes of Motion LLC is developing the project, the release said.
“This project has been a long time coming for a building that sat vacant and underutilized for decades,” according to a statement attributed to developers Eric Meftah and Emily Navarra-Meftah. “When we moved to Manistique six years ago, we never set out to become developers — we simply hoped to open a small business. But when we came across 109 River St., we saw possibilities where others saw decay.
“The path hasn’t been easy, but we stayed focused on doing it the right way, with mindful alignment of the MEDC RAP grant and the City of Manistique’s master plan — prioritizing uses that could create lasting impact. At its core, this project is about unlocking underused space to create housing and commercial opportunity that strengthens the community, supports local jobs, and builds momentum for the future,” the pair said.
The $1.3 million project is being supported by a $585,820 RAP grant, the creation of an Obsolete Property Rehabilitation Act District, a $22,000 city grant and InvestUP’s Build UP program, which is providing $460,000 in collateral support in partnership with Peoples State Bank.
“This is what can be accomplished through great communications of multiple government (State and Local) entities in collaboration with the public (property owners and developers with a vision),” City Manager Corey Barr said. “It has been an honor to work with the owner/developers on this project to bring back a building of 100 plus years in age to much needed front store utilization along with rental space. This not only restores a vacant building, but it is another key in our downtown revitalization.”
This project builds on other recent MEDC assistance for housing in Manistique, including the renovation of a former funeral home to create five new residential units with assistance from a $900,000 Michigan Community Revitalization Program grant in September 2025.
Where is Manistique?
Manistique is on the north shore of Lake Michigan, along U.S. 2 in the Upper Peninsula. M-94 connects to U.S. 2 and heads north to Shingleton, just east of Munising.
The city is just east of Indian Lake and Indian Lake State Park and Kitch-Iti-Kipi and Palms Book State Park.
The city is home to U.P. Paper, as well as the “siphon” bridge over the Manistique River, an historic water tower and a lighthouse.
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: State announces financial support for U.P. redevelopment projects
Reporting by Dan Basso, USA TODAY NETWORK / Lansing State Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
