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The City of Algonac is poised to receive $200,000 in COVID-19 stimulus funds administered by St. Clair County to support early redevelopment steps on the former Algonac Elementary School site.
Last week, the City Council, through County Commissioner Dave Vandenbosche, received funding from the county’s larger ARPA coffers (each commissioner was allocated $1 million last year for use within their school districts) to fund school reconstruction. agreed to accept American Rescue Plan Act funds to
Vandenbosche, who represents District 7, which includes the southern tip of the county, said Thursday that he expects subrecipient documents related to the agreement to be submitted to the county commission next month.
“It’s a dilapidated building, but they have great ideas to develop it. A lot of people invested in it,” he said. “I’d like to see what they come up with. But this building hasn’t been used for a long time.”
The funds will pay for architectural services, asbestos survey and removal, engineering services, furniture and fixtures, selective demolition and school renovations, according to a summary sent to City Council members by Algonac City Manager Dennis Gerstenberg. It’s planned.
The city purchased the property late last year after it had been vacant for several years, and an ideation session was held with local residents and community stakeholders earlier this month. The group says it doesn’t want to demolish the site and wants to partner with a private developer to reuse the remainder of the 69,000-square-foot building at 1216 Street, leaving the school’s gymnasium and cafeteria for community use. was widely agreed upon. . clare boulevard
During last Tuesday’s meeting, Gerstenberg told council members he planned to meet with architects this week.
She said building officials had also visited the school again and had received an asbestos survey from the last owner, as well as information about a leak in the roof.
“Dave and I have been talking about it for a few months,” Gerstenberg joked. “We know that ARPA money was available. The county couldn’t decide what to do with it. And they recently decided to give each commissioner $1 million, so once the money was available, As soon as I found out, I called him and said, “I’ll give you $200,000.”
Councilor Dawn Davey said she was grateful for the allocation, adding: “This is going to be a huge hit as we start this issue. So I’m very happy.”
Councilor Michael Benbas said it was a “good start” to the restoration of the entire site.
Contact Jackie Smith at (810) 989-6270 or jssmith@gannett.com.
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