HANCOCK - During their regular meeting Wednesday, the Hancock City Council members took action to get an additional $595,000 for rental rehabilitation of downtown apartment units.
City Manager Glenn Anderson said representatives from the Michigan State Housing Development Authority told him more money is available for projects downtown, including 116 Quincy St., owned by developer Mike Lahti. That building was gutted by fire in July 2009, and sat empty for more than two years.
"MSHDA has told us there is money available," he said.
The funding is for a total of 17 units at $35,000 per unit, Anderson said. One of the other buildings being considered for rental units is the former Gartners department store on Quincy Street.
Council members approved the amendment to the existing MSHDA grant agreement to get the extra $595,000.
In other business, council members:
approved an implementation plan for Housing and Urban Development Section 3 plan, which requires the hiring of low and very-low income workers for some HUD-funded projects in the city. Council members John Haeussler and John Slivon abstained from the vote due to uncertainty about the language of the implementation plan.
heard from Anderson the Downtown Development Authority meetings of July 2 and Aug. 6 are cancelled. The next meeting is set for Sept. 10.
heard from Anderson monitoring of Lake Superior beaches by the Western Upper Peninsula Health Department has begun.
declined to accept tax foreclosure properties at 922 and 935 Summit St.
heard from Anderson Merit Network Inc. is installing fiber optic cable to the Regional Education Media Center at the Copper Country Intermediate School District building on Hecla Street, and to the Hancock Public School library on Campus Drive.