Council approves brownfield plan to convert downtown 'Feed Building' into 18 housing units

The Port Huron City Council on May 11 approved a brownfield redevelopment plan for the Feed Building at 1635 Hopler Street, clearing the way for an estimated $6.88 million rehabilitation that proponents say will yield 18 housing units downtown.

Connor Zuk, a brownfield consultant with Tritara, told the council the redevelopment would leverage roughly $1.48 million in tax-increment financing (TIF) over a 19-year period to support cleanup and adaptive reuse of the obsolete structure. "It's a redevelopment or rehabilitation of the feed building," Zuk said, summarizing the plan and offering to answer questions from council members.

Bruce Seymour, chair of the Brownfield Redevelopment Authority, said the authority reviewed the proposal on April 16 and voted to forward it to the council with a recommendation for approval. "We like this plan," Seymour said, calling it an opportunity to convert an underused building into housing and to support walkability near downtown parks.

Council members emphasized the project's alignment with local economic development efforts and noted that the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) had participated in financing discussions. On a roll call the council recorded unanimous 'yes' votes from Council Member Herza, Council Member Lamb, Council Member Moser, Council Member Payton, Council Member Peton, Council Member Archabal and Mayor Ashford. The motion carried.

The council's approval authorizes the brownfield plan to move forward; the developer and local authorities will complete subsequent steps required for implementation, including any grant or tax-capture arrangements. The council did not specify a construction start date during the meeting.

The feed-building plan was one of four public hearings convened that evening; members of the public who spoke in favor said adaptive reuse of vacant buildings is a key tool for adding housing and supporting downtown business districts.