LANSING — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Dec. 2 joined the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) to announce a redevelopment project receiving support from the Revitalization and Placemaking (RAP) program, which will activate the functionally obsolete second floor of the landmark City Park Grill in downtown Petoskey to create five affordable workforce housing units.
”Today’s project in Petoskey will build more housing for workers and make the city a better, more affordable place to live,” Whitmer said. “Thanks to bipartisan funding for the RAP program, we are continuing our comprehensive economic development strategy to help anyone ‘Make It in Michigan’ by focusing on investing in people, building up places, and winning projects.”
This project, supported by a $566,170 RAP grant, will generate an anticipated total capital investment of $2,179,000, adding vibrancy and density to the community’s downtown, officials said. In addition, the project will include the installation of solar panels on the roof and an automatic fire suppression system throughout the first and second floor.
”On behalf of the MEDC, we are pleased to work with communities across Michigan and invest in their resilience through the RAP program as part of our ‘Make It in Michigan’ economic strategy’s placemaking efforts,” said Michele Wildman, MEDC Chief Place Officer. “We look forward to seeing how this project brings additional vibrancy to downtown Petoskey and improve its community and residents.”
The project will revitalize 2,921 sq.-ft. of the building’s formerly vacant second floor, meeting the growing demand for housing in Emmet County and attracting and retaining workforce talent in the region.
”The City of Petoskey is proud to partner with Wineguys Holdings to revive a blighted, underutilized upper floor of a historic Downtown restaurant into five workforce housing units,” said City Manager Shane Horn. “This local, community-minded investment team understands the challenges of housing affordability in our region and is committed to being part of the solution. We applaud the MEDC in activating Revitalization and Placemaking program funds for this project as the redevelopment of this property will have a broad and profoundly positive impact on our Downtown and community as a whole.”