Ground floor apartments may be permitted in downtown

Over the past few years the number of upper level apartments above downtown Alma storefronts has increased substantially with several more currently under construction.

Now, however, developers may soon be allowed to build apartments on the lower level of buildings in the central business district with a few restrictions.

The city commission approved

an introductory resolution last week that would amend the zoning ordinance to allow small residential units to be constructed on the ground floor in the back-half of downtown businesses under a special use permit.

Each apartment must have a minimum of 700 square feet of living space and will be limited to a single family or occupant.

The city commission will vote on final approval of the change during its meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 25, according to interim City Manager Aeric Ripley.

The ordinance revision was recommended unanimously by the city’s planning commission following a public hearing during its December meeting.

One major downtown redevelopment project currently in the planning stages already includes two lower level apartments.

The proposed $3.4 million project also features the complete renovation of the buildings at 120, 118 and 116 E. Superior Street, which are owned by local attorneys Nancy Gallagher and Zack Everitt.

In addition to the two ground floor apartments it will also have commercial space on the lower level and 12 second story apartments.

Currently, Gallagher and Everitt’s law firm is located at 120 E. Superior St., while the Highland Blush leases the building 118 E. Superior. The third, at 116 E. Superior, has been vacant since the Cardboard Addiction sports memorabilia shop closed three years ago.

The properties have already been declared “functionally obsolete” and approved as a brownfield redevelopment site by the city commission and Gratiot County Brownfield Redevelopment Authority.

The two-story buildings were constructed between 1890 and 1917 and total about 20,700 square feet. Renovations will include new utilities, doors, windows, flooring and roofing. Also the structure’s concrete and masonry will be improved.

The current taxable value of the three properties is $138,000. The estimated taxable value after work is completed is $810,000.