COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) - It appears it’s back to square one for the redevelopment of the Kerr Hardware block properties in downtown Coldwater. The Coldwater Downtown Development Authority is currently seeking proposals for the project on the site that consists of four 3-story buildings were built between 1887 and 1949. The most recent previous developer was Jennifer Wingard, who once had designs for locating a restaurant to anchor the first floor with upstairs apartments. The DDA said Friday the redevelopment of the buildings is a priority given their highly visible location on US-12 and being adjacent to the Tibbits Opera House. 

In considering proposals, the DDA intends to select the one which will preserve the buildings' historical nature and have a broad economic impact on Downtown Coldwater. The DDA says it would still like to see the buildings re-purposed as a mixed-use development , commercial on the first floor and residential above, but remains open to offering a different project scope so long as the first floor remains dedicated to commercial uses such as retail or restaurant.