At the Nov. 21 Chelsea Downtown Development Authority (DDA) meeting, the board unanimously approved an interlocal agreement to use local Tax Increment Revenues for the Rockwell Building brownfield redevelopment project.
With several members missing, the DDA approved the agreement that will assist in the clean-up of the facility and 0.33 acres of land at 301 North East St. that the developers plan to turn into apartments.
The $8-million investment is expected to result in a taxable value of about $2.02 million at completion.
The developer hopes to begin construction in April 2020 and expects to complete the project in about two years, perhaps as soon as 18 months.
The DDA approved a $50,000 payment for the Mack Building and City Manager John Hanifan said True North, the developers that are planning to redevelop the Federal Screw property, are doing their due diligence on the property.
In addition, he said the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners Ways and Means Committee approved a Commercial Revitalization Act Zone for the property. The Commercial Rehabilitation Act, PA 210 of 2005, as amended, affords a tax incentive for the rehabilitation of commercial property for the primary purpose and use of a commercial business or multi-family residential facility.
Hanifan also updated the DDA on the M-52 paving project saying the majority of the painting was done but contractors will need to stripe-in the parking spaces and the crosswalks, which is weather dependent. He also said there was a section of the road on either side of the railroad tracks that needs to be repaved but the asphalt plants were closed for the season, so it probably will not be completed until the spring.
Expect to find a mailbox for Letters to Santa in the front of Palmer Commons and in the future, there will be a Chelsea-themed picnic table art project in the public gathering space as well.
Chelsea Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Monica Monsma announced that the chamber had answered 15,000 phone calls, had 600 visitors to the chamber offices and gave out 300 business referrals.
She also reminded everyone about the upcoming Hometown Holiday festivities that will take place Dec. 6-8.
