Spring everywhere signals renewal and the growth of new out of the old. In Crystal Falls, it's no different.
A restoration effort has led to a new development opportunity in the small Upper Peninsula city. Crystal View Place, located at 400 Superior Avenue, is a combination of retail and residential space, created from the vacant Crystal Manor Nursing Home.
"The first floor of the structure is for retail space and then there will be 25 apartment units made up of one and two bedrooms," says Julie Melchiori of the
Iron County Economic Development Corporation.
The project has been underway for about four years after the EDC began working with
The Hovey Companies to re-develop the former nursing home site, which had been a hotel from the late 1800s through 1965, when it housed nursing home residents until 2005.
The property is currently accepting applications for an expected July 2010 opening.
The project began in 2006 after the City of Crystal Falls started looking for a developer to take on the building for housing. Melchiori contacted Tim Hovey, who helped make it into a reality with a cooperative effort between his company, the city,
MSHDA,
USDA Rural Development, local businessman Ken Santi, the DDA and the Iron County Brownfield Authority.
"This is a partnership that would not have happened if it wasn't for all of the cooperative efforts with all involved," says Melchiori.
The development was named following a contest in the Crystal Falls-Forest Park schools district. The winning name was by Lindsay Jaeger, who won a $100 scholarship for her efforts.
Writer: Sam Eggleston
Source: Julie Melchiori, Iron County EDC
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