September 2008
The Muskegon Heights City Council tentatively agreed to hire Muskegon-based Concept Design Studio to oversee architectural and engineering work needed to repair the city-owned Strand Building.
Concept Design Studio would be paid $8,000 for their services, according to the recommendation approved by the council during Monday's committee of the whole meeting. The council will officially vote on the measure at their Sept. 22 council meeting.
Roof repairs are expected to begin this fall. During the past year the city has received approximately $200,000 in state grants that have been designated specifically for the Strand roof repairs. Most of those grants have required that the city contribute matching dollars.
The Strand building has sat vacant for many years at 22 E. Broadway. The 1920s-era theater building has fallen into disrepair over the years and is now owned by the city.
But, city officials believe repairing the Strand roof is a wise investment. City officials believe a renovated Strand building could become the cornerstone of the city's downtown redevelopment plan.
In recent years, the city has considered several options, including razing the building or selling the property to a private developer. The council earlier this year decided to maintain ownership and try to save the building. During the past year, the city has fixed the building's dilapidated roof.
City officials have expressed an interest in someday leasing the building for a combination of retail and office space, as a theater and using the second floor as an apartment building. City officials have indicated that they would like to maintain some control of the theater portion, but would be willing to work with an investor who could own or oversee the use of the other portion of the building.
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