During its heyday decades ago, the Trading Post stood as a community fixture along M-28 in Onota, drawing locals and tourists alike with its restaurant-style kitchen and bustling lunch counter. Guests were captivated by an array of attractions, including large jars housing Lamprey specimens preserved in formaldehyde.
Long abandoned and dilapidated, the Trading Post – along with a separate home built by the former owners and also in disrepair following a fire – was recently demolished by the Alger County Land Bank Authority. Removing blight and stabilizing historic buildings across the county are part of the Alger County Land Bank Authority’s community revitalization efforts.
Alger County Treasurer Pam Johnson and her dedicated team have made strides this year in transforming blighted properties into community assets. Through strategic partnerships and community engagement, these projects are not only revitalizing blighted properties and communities -- including Munising, Onota Township and Chatham -- but also fostering a renewed sense of community pride and hope among residents.
"Focusing on the most trafficked and blighted areas, like those visible to tourists entering or leaving Munising, is key," she said. "Collaboration is key. We work closely with the township, city council, and various authorities. Everyone has a part to play, and when we work together, we can accomplish great things."
Current projects include the demolition of the Trading Post and the upcoming stabilization of the old Fire Hall in Munising, as well as the cleanup and revitalization at the J & F Brisson Sawmill property in Chatham.
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Terry PihlainenA building being demolished at the Trading Post site.Thanks to the concerted efforts of local officials and a substantial $90,911 grant from the State Land Bank Authority of Michigan, Chatham is on the brink of transforming this once-thriving industrial hub into a viable commercial property once again.
This is the third land blight project that the Alger land bank authority has tackled this year, funded by nearly $800,000 in grants from the State Land Bank Authority of Michigan. Allocations so far include $151,225 for the demolition of Onota Township’s old Trading Post property, $59,912.70 for the adjacent property, $443,325 for the stabilization of Munising’s old Fire Hall, and $45,527.84 for administrative expenses to ensure compliance with environmental regulations.
Working closely with community stakeholders, including Terry Pihlainen, an Onota Township supervisor, Johnson and the land bank have focused on removing blighted structures like the Trading Post on M-28, west of Munising.
"Pam is incredible. She's an unsung hero who does so much for the county. I just love working with her, and we've formed a good collaboration," said Pihlainen. "We're working on quite a few projects this year. The land bank has been instrumental in helping us tackle these structures."
Pihlainen believes these efforts will significantly benefit the community by improving the local landscape and fostering a sense of pride among residents.
"Removing these eyesores and revitalizing the properties not only makes our township more attractive but also opens up opportunities for new development and business," he said. "It's a positive step forward for Onota and the entire county, bringing in potential economic growth and enhancing the quality of life for our residents."
Munising: Reviving the historic Fire Hall
On the main thoroughfare through Munising, the old Munising Fire Hall, a structure steeped in history and tradition, will be stabilized and repurposed.
Built in 1938 by Franklin Roosevelt's Works Progress Administration, this architectural gem embodied an era of growth and resilience. However, like many historical landmarks, the fire station faced the relentless march of time, succumbing to wear and neglect.
With a budget of nearly $500,000, the project aims to ensure its structural integrity for generations to come. The rehabilitation efforts will include essential repairs such as a new roof, windows, and doors, breathing new life into the aging structure.
Recounting his own personal journey with the fire hall, Bromley Hall, owner of Hall Contracting, outlines a timeline spanning more than two decades.
Hall, the former owner of Hub's Super Valu, played a pivotal role in the fire hall's narrative when he sold his grocery store building to the Munising Community Credit Union in 2001. This transaction set the stage for Hall Contracting's involvement -- the company was contracted to build the new credit union, now home to Ember’s Credit Union.
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LoopNetThe city's old fire hall is poised for redevelopment.In a strategic move to address the pressing needs of the fire department, Hall Contracting orchestrated a land swap involving adjacent property left unused by the credit union, acquiring it as an investment. Recognizing the limitations of the existing fire hall, which had become increasingly inadequate for the evolving demands of the fire service, they envisioned a transformative solution.
Through negotiations and a land swap with the city, the Halls facilitated the construction of a new diversified building that would accommodate both a new fire hall and a state police outlet on the acquired property.
This decision would not only allow for the preservation and adaptive reuse of the historic fire hall but also paved the way for the new modern, state-of-the-art facility that better serves the needs of both firefighters and the city at large.
"The fire hall holds a special place for me. It's where I began my journey, serving as a firefighter for close to 20 years," Hall said.
Initially, plans for the old fire hall envisioned its conversion into a strip mall with a McDonald's franchise. However, changing circumstances led the developers to opt for building in Calumet instead.
Other plans to convert the building into a blend of residential and commercial spaces, have stalled. However, there is renewed hope for redevelopment with the acquisition of a restoration grant.
Chatham: Reclaiming the J & F Brisson Sawmill
Johnson and the land bank are also targeting the J & F Brisson Sawmill property in Chatham, a historic six-acre site adjacent to the beloved Mamma Cows ice cream shop. Thanks to a $90,911 grant from the State Land Bank Authority, Chatham is on the brink of transforming this once-thriving industrial hub into a viable commercial property once again.
"The Brisson Sawmill has been a part of Chatham's landscape," said Dan Johnson, a local historical buff. "It was a hub of activity and employment until it ceased operations in the early 1990s." The sawmill, established in 1948, experienced two major fires, one in 1951 and another in 1983.
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Dan JohnsonThe collapsed foundation of the J & F Brisson Sawmill in Chatham.Chatham was founded in 1896 when the Munising Railway Corporation constructed a railway from Munising to Little Lake, intersecting with the existing Rock River Road. This strategic location near Slap Neck Creek made it an ideal spot for a new village. "Chatham really got jump-started at the same time as Munising," said Dan Johnson.
By 1900, the Cleveland Cliffs Iron Company purchased the Munising Railway Corporation and began advertising land sales, offering 40 acres for $40 a year over five years. This sparked substantial growth, with the population of Rock River Township reaching 1,600 by 1928, largely due to Finnish immigrants.
Joe Brisson, a significant figure in Chatham's history, arrived in the late 1920s to early 1930s. He purchased the local pub property from Dan Johnson's grandfather Toivo Kallio, who had built a pool hall in 1926 following a devastating fire in 1925.
Brisson and his wife Frieda opened the Sandwich Shop and expanded its beverage offerings after Prohibition ended in 1933, which later became the Chatham Pub. Brisson was a well-known entrepreneur, operating not only the pub but also a hardware store and a sawmill.
His sawmill, established in 1948, experienced two major fires, one in 1951 and another in 1983. "The first thing I can ever remember in my entire life was that mill burning, it was like Armageddon," Johnson said.
Brisson was also an innovator, always experimenting with new ideas and technologies. One of his notable inventions was the "Impossible Saw," which was an offshoot of the main sawmill.
"Joe was always mucking around and trying to improve stuff," Johnson said. Brisson passed away in 1970, and his sawmill continued to operate under the management of his employees until it ceased operations around 1990.
The land bank authority's project began with a comprehensive survey of the property, followed by a phase-one environmental assessment. Once cleanup is completed, the authority aims to put the property up for sale to interested buyers.
"It's a fast track, but we're motivated. Once April 1st came, things started falling into place,” Johnson said.
The local community is optimistic about the project’s potential impact.
"I grew up out here and remember it as a sawmill. It's sat vacant since the last fire. It would be really nice to see that utilized once again," said Dan Rushford, president of the village of Chatham.
The Chatham land blight project also has the backing of Teri Grout, Rock River Township supervisor in the village of Chatham.
"Having something new and exciting there, a new business or a new trailhead, just means that the community will be much more attractive," Grout said.
The transformation of the sawmill site and the addition of the new trailhead is anticipated to bring numerous advantages to the local community, from job creation to increased tourism.
As the land bank continues its mission, the transformation of Alger County's landscape and the improvement of its residents' quality of life are undeniable. More adventures are sure to come as Johnson continues to work on additional blight projects in Alger County, ensuring that each new initiative brings fresh hope and progress to the community.
Jennifer Champagne is an accomplished entertainment + visual effects writer with a passion for storytelling. When she’s not crafting articles on industry giants, you’ll find her enjoying life with her family and their three crazy golden retriever floofs at home in middle earth.