MARQUETTE, MI – It’s been over 30 years since the former Holy Family Orphanage has been inhabited.
Today, that all changes as a groundbreaking ceremony was held to transform the former orphanage into The Grandview Marquette.

“The goal of the project is to provide 56 affordable housing units in downtown Marqette, a very walk-able location for 56 families,” said Amy Lerlie, Executive Director of Community Action Alger-Marquette. “One, two and three bedroom apartments close to amenities but affordable.”

Renter rates are projected between $275 a unit and up to $800 for a three bedroom unit. 14 units will be held specially for formerly homeless persons and families. Some of those in attendance lined up to tour the building and see the progress firsthand.

“You know, the biggest challenge was actually getting all of the approvals, all the dollars and the tax credits and getting all of those steps done beforehand,” said Barry Polzin, Chief Architect of Grandview Marquette. “At this point, now that the hard clean-up is done, it’s really just a normal construction project from here on out.”

With construction of the Grandview Marquette, new life is being brought to the local job market.

“We’ve got a lot of people working locally on this and they’re preserving the historical integrity of the building,” said Rep. Scott Dianda, (D) Michigan House Representative. “That’s such a wonderful thing, to be able to see something that was created so long ago is getting that new life into it.”

Part of the construction process will include the restoration of the building’s original chapel. Completion of the Grandview Marquette is expected for late summer of 2017.

Link to original article: UPMatters