NEGAUNEE – A $5,000 grant could breathe new life into a historic building in downtown Negaunee that was in danger of being torn down.

The grant will be used to develop conceptual plans to garner community support and construction financing for the rehabilitation of the Sundberg Building, according to a press release from the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

The Lake Superior Community Partnership Foundation was awarded the grant by the NTHP and the Michigan Historic Preservation Network from the Michigan Preservation Services Fund.

Jim and Ann Kantola requested the Lake Superior Community Partnership Foundation assist them in obtaining the grant for the preservation of the Sundberg Building.

Other projects undertaken by the Kantolas include the Union Station Depot, Jackson Pit, Negaunee Bank Building and Negaunee City Center,

“The Lake Superior Community Partnership Foundation is an organization based on collaboration and finding solutions to problems that not only benefit the community, but also preserve our mining heritage,” Jim Kantola said. “We are excited to be working with them on this first step to revitalizing a historically significant property,”

The grant requires a $5,000 match from the Kantolas.

The original three story structure, built in 1890-91, housed three retail stores on the ground floor with office and apartment space in the upper floors.

Over the years it has been used as a post office, theatre, auditorium and, most recently, a furniture warehouse in the 1980’s and 90’s. The building has been vacant since the early 2000’s.

In March 2010, part of the Sundberg building’s roof and a portion of its west wall collapsed, leaving the building’s structural integrity questionable enough to cause the city of Negaunee to fence off the sidewalk in front of the structure.

In May 2015 Kantola sent a letter to the Negaunee City Council announcing his intent to demolish the building, but said he has since changed his mind.

“In 2015, Ann and I did send a letter to the City stating our plans to demolish the building. Shortly after sending the letter, we reached out to five demolition contractors and received one bid for $197,000,” Kantola said. “As the demolition cost was significantly more than originally anticipated, we took a more comprehensive look at the structure and it’s potential and decided it would be a much wiser and better use of the funds to make the investment into saving this historically significant, architectural gem rather than destroying it.”

According to the press release, specific funding, as well as other in-kind contributions, will be used to get community feedback and ideas as to how the property should be reused. The funds will also be used to hire an architect to develop a conceptual adaptive reuse plan.

There will be a community forum from 7 to 8 p.m. Jan. 20 at the Union Station Depot to receive input on potential uses for the building.

National Trust Preservation grant awards can range from from $2,500 to $5,000 and have provided more than $15 million since 2003, according to the release.

The funds are awarded to nonprofit organizations and public agencies to support wide-ranging activities, including consultant services for rehabilitating buildings, technical assistance for tourism that promotes historic resources, and the development of materials for education and outreach campaigns.

Lisa Bowers can be reached at 906-486-4401. Her email address is lbowers@miningjournal.net.