Chalmers Square, a redevelopment of three historic buildings on East Jefferson, broke ground recently. The $7 million investment will renovate three vacant structures into 47 residential units and 17,000 square feet of commercial retail space. The project also involves the conversion of a former liquor store on the northeast corner of Jefferson and Newport into a full-service market.
The size and scope of the project are significant, says Josh Elling, the executive director of the Jefferson East Business Assoc., the non-profit tasked with strengthening the district. "We've been working on this project for 10 years, it's a big deal," he says.
"This validates JEBA's approach to working with private developers and public agencies to help transform formerly vacant structures on Jefferson into economic generators and to increase density along the Jefferson corridor."
Chalmers Square is being developed by Detroit-based Shelborne Development, the firm that is also involved with
St. Aubin Square and the
Book House. The project has benefited from brownfield tax credits and support from the Michigan State Housing Development Authority and the Detroit office of the Local Initiatives Support Corp.
The addresses of the three buildings are 1025 Newport and 14401 and 11436 E. Jefferson. Elling expects construction to be completed in the third quarter of 2011.
Source: Josh Elling, JEBA
Writer: Kelli B. Kavanaugh
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