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Construction starts on historic Temple Building in Old Town

Posted at 7:59 PM, Jan 29, 2021
and last updated 2021-01-29 19:59:57-05

LANSING, Mich. — After being deserted for over a decade, the Temple Building on East Cesar Chavez Avenue in Old Town is being renovated.

The Temple Building was built in 1906 as a church, but was more recently known as the Temple Club where musicians performed from 2001-2006.

“This site has been a hole in what is a very vibrant entertainment district in Old Town,” said Marilyn Crowly, the vice president of investment at Michigan Community Capital. in 2019, Michigan Community Capital, a nonprofit public charity, purchased the property to use as its headquarters.

Seven local economic and development organizations are partnering with Crowly to oversee the $10.5 million project.

Kaisha Young, Fox 47 News, 2021
Kaisha Young, Fox 47 News, 2021

The renovated Temple Building will be a five story mixed use facility. The first floor will be 3,000 square feet of shared office space. The remaining four floors will house 31 residential apartments.

“A community really thrives when it has more residents. Those residents spend their dollars at the merchants in the area, which continues to build the ecosystem that sustains itself.” said Ben Dowd, the president of the Old Town Commercial Association.

A parking lot will be added to the rear of the building and a small retail storefront will also be attached to the building. Historic elements like the original stained glass and arched windows will remain in tact.

“I think it’s going to be a really beautiful combination of preserving a historic building while also bringing it into a modern use,” said Crowly.

Construction is expected to conclude in early 2022.

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Tianna Jenkins

12:23 PM, Jan 12, 2021

Your Neighborhood Reporter

Tianna Jenkins

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