COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – The City of Coldwater has announced on its website that a development partner is being sought for the rehabilitation of the former Lefty’s Lounge building at 10 South Monroe and the opening of a downtown restaurant or retail store.
According to the nine page announcement, Developer Requests for Qualifications will be accepted by Economic Development Assistant Audrey Tappenden through November 18, 2019, with evaluations starting the following week.
Lefty’s closed in the summer of 2016. City officials say the two-story building needs maintenance and repairs throughout.
The tax foreclosed property was purchased by the city for $23,000 from the State of Michigan this summer. The state’s treasury department annually makes tax foreclosed properties available to local municipal governments prior to public auction.
The post went on to say the City’s preferred development for this site would call for the rehabilitation of the first floor for retail and/or restaurant use, rehabilitating the second floor into residential units, upgrading the façade as well as maintaining and/or restoring its historic character, the creation of new jobs, and a minimum investment of $100,000.
Broadway Grille owner Scott Ladd and Five Star Pizza owner Carl Thornton have expressed an interest in the building. Coldwater Mayor Tom Kramer said during last Monday’s City Council meeting the building has been shown to two other potential businesses.
City Council members Michael Beckwith, Travis Machan, and James Knaack were appointed to a committee by Kramer to look into proposals on the property and to make a recommendation to the full Council.
