COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – As part of the process of turning the site of the former Franklin Elementary School into a 40-unit single story senior housing complex, the Coldwater City Council passed a resolution on Monday night which authorizes the submission of a grant application for $826,000 to the Michigan Department of Environment Great Lakes and Energy.
The Coldwater Community School District has agreed to sell the property to St. Mary Development Corporation and Coldwater Senior Villas Dividend Housing Association LLC.
City Manager Keith Baker said in his report for Monday’s meeting the property at 95 South Fremont was identified as a brownfield due to contaminants which included the presence of mercury which qualified it for possible assistance from the state.
Since the developer is not eligible to submit an applicant for the State’s brownfield program, local government units must apply for the grants.
J.P. Buckingham is the environmental consultant working on behalf of the developer. He said they should find out later this summer if they will get the funds.
Buckingham says EGLE has pre-approved the application and are now awaiting the paper work.
Baker says the city would serve as the fiduciary for the grant funds and administer the pass through of funds from the State of Michigan to the developer. Coldwater’s Planning Commission has approved a zoning change and site plan for the project.
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