Mason Adds Two More Lofts to $700,000, 23 Loft Trend

Mason has become a model community in renovating the upper floors of downtown retail space and turning the spaces into residential lofts. This month, two new lofts opened above Ware’s Pharmacy.

According to excerpts from the article:

Steve Ware never thought he'd become a landlord.

Then Ware, owner of Ware's Pharmacy at the corner of Maple and Jefferson streets, got a look at the new lofts above the Maple Street Mall across the streets built through the rental rehabilitation program funded by the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA).

Ware said he was "amazed" at what could be done with the space.

"That got me kind of excited about it," said Ware, who decided to get involved in the loft program.

His two new lofts, located above the pharmacy, now are open for rental.

City Administrator Marty Colburn said at the Oct. 6 Mason City Council meeting that the city is being used as a "template" for other communities interested in the loft program.

"It helps preserve your downtown and the historic component of it," he said.

Colburn said the city has received three Community Development Block Grants totaling $700,000 in six years from MSHDA. He said Mason now has 23 housing units from the program.

Read the entire article here.