COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – The Coldwater City Council approved a revised development agreement on Monday, granting local entrepreneurs Cody Hawkes and Sydney Downey roughly six more weeks to begin construction on their specialty ice cream shop.
The project, located at the former Lefty’s Lounge at 10 South Monroe Street, had fallen into default after the owners failed to meet a 24-month deadline established when they purchased the city-owned building in January 2024, Hawkes says the delays have been due to the inability to obtain a state funded grant for the project.
Under the new terms, work must officially commence by July 1, 2026, or the couple must deed the gutted property back to the city in exchange for a refund.
Hawkes, a Jonesville dentist, informed the council that while they remain committed to the project—which includes the first-floor ice cream business and two upstairs apartments
City Manager Keith Baker advocated for the extension, emphasizing that the amended agreement protects municipal interests by setting strict new performance timelines for completion.
If successful, the redevelopment will transform a long-vacant downtown space into a new destination for sweets and housing.
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