LANSING, Mich. – In a bold move to rejuvenate one of Lapeer County’s historic landmarks, Governor Gretchen Whitmer has announced that the former Lapeer Opera House will undergo a significant redevelopment. This effort is part of the bipartisan Revitalization and Placemaking (RAP) program.
The redevelopment plan for the building located at 350 N. Court Street in Downtown Lapeer includes the creation of 10 residential apartments and the preservation of four existing ground-floor commercial spaces. Additionally, a new commercial events space will be established on the third floor, capitalizing on the vibrant commercial activity and weddings held at the nearby historic Lapeer County Courthouse. The apartments will cater to residents earning between 50-60% of the Area Median Income, with four units under the Michigan State Housing Development Authority’s (MSHDA) affordability monitoring.
Governor Whitmer expressed her enthusiasm, stating, “This new placemaking project will revitalize the former Lapeer Opera House, creating new housing opportunity and making this community a more vibrant place to live. Programs like RAP help us attract and retain talented workers, lower costs, create and attract new businesses, and make Michigan the best place to live, work, and play.”
According to David Meninga, Senior Vice President of Community Development Programs & Execution at the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), “This project will bring new life to a longstanding historic building in Downtown Lapeer, adding critical housing, support for commercial businesses, and events space for the community.”
The project is fueled by a $2.2 million grant from the RAP program, contributing to a total estimated investment of $5,745,905. Support also comes from the City of Lapeer, which is upgrading a water main at a cost of approximately $70,000 and providing MSHDA Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) support valued at about $700,000. The City of Lapeer Downtown Development Authority is assisting through a tax sharing agreement valued at approximately $240,910.
The development is spearheaded by Thomas LaMagna, who has a robust background in multi-family and commercial projects. LaMagna shared his appreciation for the collaborative efforts, saying, “I am impressed by and grateful for the collaborative efforts of the MEDC and MSHDA in bringing resources together to support revitalization in Lapeer. Bringing new life to Lapeer’s old Opera House is about more than redeveloping a building; it’s about preserving a piece of the community’s history while creating lasting benefits for the city and its residents.”
MSHDA CEO and Executive Director Amy Hovey emphasized the importance of such projects, stating, “Rehabilitating historic buildings like the former Lapeer Opera House creates opportunities to meet today’s housing needs while preserving what makes a downtown special.”
James Alt, executive director of the Lapeer Main Street Downtown Development Authority, praised the project, noting, “The word ‘transformational’ is often used in downtown development, but this project truly deserves that description. This is a tremendous investment in the future of Historic Downtown Lapeer while preserving an important piece of our community’s past.”
The redevelopment aligns with the goals of the City of Lapeer, which holds certification in the MEDC’s Redevelopment Ready Communities program and is a Master-Level Michigan Main Street Community. The former Opera House, noteworthy for hosting a speech by Susan B. Anthony in 1879, is slated to feature in a History Walk supported by a 2025 Main Street Vibrancy grant.
Read More Here
Comments are closed.