COLDWATER, MI – (WTVB) – The City of Coldwater announced Tuesday they are offering incentives to developers who will open a downtown brewpub or restaurant at 71 and 73 West Chicago Street.
In exchange for redeveloping the two story building, the City says in a press release it has lined up incentives which include a lease with option to buy at a below-market price, a tax abatement plan, rebates for façade improvements, and free rent for the first year.
A Request for Qualifications (RFQ) is now available for those who are interested in redeveloping the building and want to submit a project concept.
Coldwater City Manager Keith Baker says “the City has received a lot of feedback relating to downtown and much of it points in the same direction: our formal planning efforts set out the goal of improving downtown; our market data shows that we can support a brewpub and need more diverse dining options; and our residents continue to ask for more restaurants or a brewery much closer to home. The City and the DDA have worked together on an attractive incentive package, and we look forward to finding a project that will be a good fit in our community”.
The Richard A. Kerr Trust through its trustee at Century Bank and Trust donated the Clark and J.W. Sweet building to the city in 2018. It used to be the home of Ba Ba Black Sheep and Emmy’s Salon but is currently vacant.
