A local business owner bought the building, which will help downtown development.
Read more: Local, Community, Business
ESCANABA -- The top two floors of the Delta Building on Ludington Street in Escanaba haven't been occupied in more than 60 years. But that's about to change.
When local business owner, Matt Sviland, was first approached about buying the former brewery, he wasn't interested. But one tour inside changed his mind.
"My first impression on going into the building was that it's perfect for a loft-apartment type situation," said Sviland. "It has huge vaulted ceilings, the walls are massive and they're brick, and the floors are concrete."
Sviland is excited about converting the turn of the 20th century structure into 16 luxury rental units, which will have some unique features.
"We will have in-floor heat, which we want to have powered with geothermal energy," he says. "Fortunately, the property has an 800 foot artesian well on the property, which is half the battle in any geothermal situation."
The building will be environmentally friendly and a magnet for downtown business.
"It's the perfect project; it's going to bring people to live downtown, as well as the first floor will provide retail opportunities for people to open businesses," says Roger Good, executive director of Escanaba's Downtown Development Authority (DDA). Plus, the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) may help with funding.
"MSHDA will assist in funding through their façade initiative program for just this building," says Good. "Usually they want two or more buildings in the downtown. But they were really impressed with this project and the building. The building sold itself."
Sviland also is trying to get the building on the National Register of Historic Places, which would help financially with tax breaks. He hopes to complete the project by mid 2010.
