Politics & Government
Hearing to Determine Fate of Historical Grain Elevator
Rochester City Council will hear arguments about saving the elevator or moving it for condo complex.
ROCHESTER, MI — A 136-year-old grain elevator, on the National Register of Historic Places, may need to be upped and moved if developers of a condominium project get approval from City Council on Oct. 24. The council will hold a public hearing to gauge community response to the proposal. The hearing is part of the regularly-scheduled council meeting, which begins at 7 p.m. in the Council Chambers at Rochester City Hall, 400 Sixth St.The city’s Planning Commission approved the site plan for the project Oct. 4. Council approval is needed because the proposed site lies in a special projects district, also known as a Potential Intensive Change Area.
The condos, proposed by Grandview Construction and Ferlito Construction:
• will range in price from the mid-$400,000s to $1 million.
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• will be geared to those 55 and up, but buyers will not be required to meet any age requirement.
• will be a four-story project in three buildings, with the ground floors dedicated to parking.
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• will include floor plans with two to four bedrooms and total area of 1,700 to 2,200 square feet.
Salome, of Grandview Construction, told the Oakland Press that the condos are generating a lot of interest, as there is a demand for upscale housing with “walkability” to the downtown area.
He said the condos should boost the downtown retail businesses and restaurants.
Rochester city officials are looking at a number of options to preserve the condominium development is approved. Nik Banda, deputy city manager and director of economic and community development, told the Oakland Press the elevator could be moved into a municipal parking lot across the street. The city is also looking for alternative locations. Another option is to deconstruct the elevator and store it until a suitable home can be found. Banda said the city is working with historical groups that want to see the elevator preserved.
He does not yet have an estimate on a moving cost, but said the city and historical groups will need to conduct a fundraising drive for the project.He said the developers have offered to donate the historical building to the city and bear part of the cost of moving the elevator, which is owned by Lawrence Smith.
Photo via Shutterstock.
