City economic-development staff and contractor partners told the Owosso City Council they are using state and federal grant dollars to address blight and support redevelopment projects, including a funded repair plan for a building on Exchange Street and work to clear hazardous structures.

Justin Horvath of the Shiawassee Economic Development Partnership said the SEDP, as contracted land-bank staff, has dedicated about $180,000 in grant dollars to support work on the Exchange Street property; three bids for that work were submitted and were to be opened later in the week. Horvath said those funds are grant returns from the state land-bank program, not direct city general-fund expenditures.

City Manager and SEDP staff also discussed a large vacant Bradley Street parcel (the former Vanguard site). Horvath said a prospective developer has expressed interest in a residential redevelopment and that the city can pursue a baseline environmental assessment through a site-assessment grant to de-risk the site to entice the developer. "If we can develop this in the next number of years into contributing residential property, that's gonna be good for us," Horvath said.

Council members and staff also updated the public on a Cedar Street property ordered closed by the building official after two independent engineering reviews found the structure hazardous to occupy. City Manager said the owner has been cooperative and had sought second opinions; both reviews concluded the building is unsafe and the owner is pursuing demolition. Staff said the road adjacent to that property will remain closed while the building remains standing and that staff will continue to work with the land bank and potential grant programs to mitigate costs.

The reports included additional land-bank activity: the city and SEDP are using grant funds to demolish a public-hazard structure behind a Robins Loft property and to apply state blight-elimination funds to other projects. Horvath thanked the city and said the grant-based programs return funds from Lansing for local work.

Council members and staff encouraged continued coordination among SEDP, the land bank and the city to prioritize projects that reduce blight and attract private investment. Officials said certain redevelopment projects could still be market-rate unless financial incentives for affordable units are offered.

No formal council action was required at the meeting; staff and SEDP were asked to continue bid evaluations, proceed with the site-assessment grant work where appropriate, and report back on contracting outcomes.