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Council approves OPRA abatement for Kevcor redevelopment at 410 Marshall
Summary
The Coldwater City Council approved an Obsolete Property Rehabilitation Act (OPRA) certificate for Kevcor Enterprises to redevelop the former Felpausch/Family Fare building at 410 Marshall into a specialty grocery, bar/restaurant and entertainment venue, with an estimated $3 million investment and about 40 retained jobs.
The Coldwater City Council voted April 27 to adopt a resolution approving an Obsolete Property Rehabilitation Act certificate for Kevcor Enterprises' plan to redevelop the vacant 410 Marshall building.
Assessor Samantha Albright described the proposal as the final step in the OPRA process: the roughly 40,000-square-foot property would undergo about $3 million in improvements, retain about 40 permanent jobs and create about 10 temporary construction positions. Kevcor's representatives said the project would house a specialty grocery emphasizing farm-to-table meats, a bar and restaurant, and an entertainment component.
Developer Daryl Hog said the owners, Kevin and Corey Wishmeier, intend the site to be a neighborhood destination rather than a competitor to big-box stores. "We don't intend to compete against the big box stores," Hog said, adding the plan includes specialty meats and local suppliers and that the team hopes to program outdoor events such as food trucks and small festivals.
Public commenter Rachel Owen told the council she lives on Marshall Street and supported the project as a neighborhood asset that would reduce the need to drive across town for groceries and provide family-friendly entertainment.
Councilmembers moved and supported adoption of resolution 2639; by voice vote the motion carried.
The certificate would allow a reduction in the property owner's millage rate for the duration of the certificate (the applicant requested the statutory maximum 12 years), a standard tax-abatement structure under OPRA designed to encourage reinvestment in obsolete properties. City staff said construction was hoped to begin June 1 with an anticipated completion by the end of October. Specific details on exact store operators, final leases and any liquor-license approvals will be handled by the developer and, where required, by state licensing authorities.
The council closed the public hearing after receiving the presentation and public comment and authorized staff to file the certificate as approved.
