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Council approves 12-year tax abatement to redevelop historic Shook Hotel at 301 N. Hamilton
Summary
Metro Multi Property Management won council approval for an Obsolete Property Rehabilitation Act certificate to renovate the long‑vacant Shook Hotel into a first‑floor bar and grill and upper‑floor apartments; developer and Saginaw Future described a roughly $3.5 million project and projected job and tax benefits.
The Saginaw City Council approved an Obsolete Property Rehabilitation Act (OPRA) certificate for 301 North Hamilton Street, known locally as the Shook Hotel, clearing the way for the building’s renovation into a first‑floor bar and grill and multi‑family residential units on the second and third floors. The council took the action during its regular meeting after a public hearing and presentations from the developer and economic‑development partners.
The developer, represented by Kyle (project manager, Metro Multi Construction and Remodeling), told the council the century‑old building has been vacant for years and that a 12‑year OPRA tax incentive is necessary to make restoration financially feasible. Kyle said the project would preserve the building’s character while bringing new tenants and economic activity to downtown Saginaw.
Steve Hensley, community economic development director with Saginaw Future, spoke in support and said Metro Multi projects a construction cost of about $3.5 million and expects the abatement to enable rehabilitation that otherwise would not proceed. Hensley described the building as a local landmark and said Saginaw Future is coordinating activation of qualifying resources to support the redevelopment.
The council’s approval authorizes the OPRA certificate, which freezes the property’s taxable value at its pre‑rehab level for the duration of the exemption to offset renovation costs. Council documents and presenters emphasized that the city’s tax revenue is expected to increase substantially once the 12‑year abatement expires and the property is assessed at market value.
The action was recorded on the meeting agenda under resolutions. The formal motion and mover/second were not named on the public transcript; the resolution was adopted (vote tally not specified in the transcript).
The approval follows the city’s established practice of using state incentives to catalyze redevelopment of blighted or vacant historic properties. Council members and supporters framed the OPRA certificate as an investment intended to return higher long‑term tax revenue and new downtown activity.
The developer and Saginaw Future said the project would create construction jobs during rehabilitation and increase downtown foot traffic once occupied. Specific timelines for construction, final tenant commitments and expected dates for tax reassessment were not provided in the hearing.
The council will advance the project through any required follow‑up approvals. The developer and Saginaw Future thanked the council for its consideration prior to the vote.
