The Klein Tools land lies along Chicago Street in downtown Jonesville. Courtesy | City of Jonesville
The City of Jonesville is almost done negotiating a purchase and development agreement with DH Roberts Construction to convert the vacant Klein Tools building into retail stores and apartments.
The city hopes to finish the agreement within the next two months, but the reconstruction is expected to take several years, according to Jonesville City Manager Jeffrey Gray. He said the project is estimated to cost $7 million.
“Project timing will depend on the market, but is anticipated between three and six years. The retail development would be the first phase, followed by the apartments,” he said.
Gray said the city is looking to bring more retail and residential real estate to the area.
“The City Council and Downtown Development Authority have a goal of bringing the building into productive use and adding more tax base to the downtown,” Gray said.
According to Gray, the redevelopment plan will preserve the industrial look of the retail portion of the building while adding modern residential spaces.
“DH Roberts Construction plans to keep the front third of the building that is closest to Chicago Street and whitebox it for tenants that would occupy it for retail, food service, etc.,” Gray said. “The back part of the building would be demolished and market-rate two and three-bedroom apartments would be built there. The plan would bring complementary retail and much-needed housing to the downtown. It is an ideal redevelopment.”
Whiteboxing the spaces, a stage of construction including exterior walls, windows, doors, roofing, and basic electrical wiring, would allow tenants more freedom to customize the space with a contractor.
President of DH Roberts Construction Victor Face said that adding residential spaces will encourage economic growth in the city.
“We feel that living space will be a big factor in allowing the surrounding businesses to grow by allowing more employees to live close to work in Jonesville,” Face said.
According to the city’s request for proposals, the building was used by Vaco Products to manufacture hand tools from 1945 to 1986. Klein Tools purchased the building in 1986 and continued the same production until 2008.
The building boasts many other historical uses before tool manufacturing.
According to the request, the parcel which now includes the Klein building had many other uses dating back to 1884, including the Jonesville Woolen Mill, a steam printing business, and a hay rack factory.
The city’s request for proposals also said that the Klein building, which overlooks the St. Joseph River, has many factors that make it an ideal focus for the economic stimulation of the city. It is approximately 68,500 square feet, and has frontage on Chicago Street, making it a highly trafficked location in downtown, according to the request for proposals.
Gray said the development plans are still subject to change with market conditions, but the city is eager to start work.
“The city is very excited to be working with DH Roberts Construction in Jonesville to bring the building back to life,” Gray said.
