ESCANABA -- The Delta Building in downtown Escanaba has been vacant since the 1940s.  But the former brewery is getting a second lease on life.  It'll be turned into the Lofts on Ludington.

"The main thing is that it's a labor of love," explains owner, Matt Sviland.  "I've always wanted to do some kind of a development like this.  And this building provided the perfect background to do it on."

Construction is already ten percent completed to create fifteen loft-style apartments.

"But then your living room and dining room is a great room, basically," Sviland said.  "And it's wide open.  That leaves it so that the occupant can decorate the room and divide it up however they want to do it."

It's the first project in Michigan’s history that'll utilize New Markets Tax Credits, which support economic and community developments.  But the project also helps create jobs.

"Well, there's plenty in the construction trades who are looking for work," explains builder, David Pascoe.  "Normally about this time of the year, we start getting a little busier than we are in the winter months.  Right now I have six people besides myself, and I’m anticipating hiring three to four more shortly."

The structure is also listed on the National Register of Historical Places.

The front of this building is going to be pushed back to make indoor parking for fourteen cars.  Next, there's going to be a covered walkway to connect it to the apartment complex.  Completion on this portion is expected sometime in November.