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Long-vacant building in Downtown Chelsea to be redeveloped into apartments

Building was opened in 1909

Renovation of historic building will bring new housing, vibrancy to downtown Chelsea (WDIV)

A historic building in Downtown Chelsea that has been vacant for years is getting a new lease on life.

Chelsea Rockwell, a development company and the namesake of the building, has been awarded a $1.5 million grant from the Michigan Community Revitalization Program to redevelop the three-story building into 51 market-rate apartments.

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The Chelsea Rockwell building was built in 1909, and operated as a stove manufacturing warehouse and was used over the decades for other industrial uses. It has sat vacant for years.

The project is expected to generate a total capital investment of $8.8 million, according to a press release. Additional funding has been awarded to the city, and Washtenaw County for the development.

“The city of Chelsea is excited to learn about the $1.5 million MCRP Performance-based Grant Award awarded to the Chelsea Rockwell project,” said Chelsea City Manager Roy Atkinson. “This project will renovate a long-time vacant former industrial building into 51 residential rental units, activate over 43,000 square feet of space in downtown Chelsea and result in a total capital investment of over $8.8 million. The city and the community are looking forward to this project!”


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Ken Haddad has been with Local 4/ClickOnDetroit since 2013. He helps lead news coverage and content across broadcast and digital platforms. He's from the Metro Detroit area, and loves covering important news (and sports) in his hometown.