Gratiot County approves brownfield plan for 311 East Superior in Alma
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Summary
The Gratiot County Board adopted Resolution 24‑328 approving a brownfield redevelopment plan for 311 East Superior in Alma, clearing the way for demolition and a privately funded $3M-plus conversion into nine apartments and street‑front commercial space with tax‑increment reimbursement under the Brownfield program.
The Gratiot County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday adopted Resolution 24‑328 approving a brownfield redevelopment plan for 311 East Superior Street in Alma.
Jim Wheeler, who said he manages the county’s Brownfield Authority, told commissioners the downtown building project would create nine apartments (three on the ground floor and six above) and commercial space at the street front. Wheeler described the developer’s total investment as “a little over $3,000,000” and explained the brownfield tool: because the developer pays project costs up front, the program allows tax capture over time to reimburse an approved amount to the project owner.
Wheeler said the redevelopment addresses downtown obsolescence and supports housing goals in local master plans. During the public hearing commissioners and the presenter discussed unit mix (one‑ and two‑bedroom units) and estimated rents; Wheeler said rents would roughly equate to about $0.117 per square foot — giving an example near $900 for an 800‑square‑foot unit.
Commissioners moved to adopt Resolution 24‑328 by roll call; the measure passed. The resolution approves the Brownfield plan as presented and authorizes the county’s administrative steps to implement the agreement under the statutory brownfield reimbursement framework.
Next steps identified at the meeting include final developer documentation and the standard state review for reimbursable grants; commissioners discussed that the brownfield program is a reimbursement mechanism and that the developer must front costs before receiving state‑approved reimbursements.
