The Anderson Building in downtown Ishpeming is among a handful of buildings in Marquette County which will be rehabilitated using state money starting this summer. (Journal file photo)

MARQUETTE — An infusion of state cash is heading toward Marquette County to assist in maintaining and upgrading existing structures, several of which are of historical significance.

The funding, $534,000, comes from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s Revitalization and Placemaking program, which seeks to support community enhancement efforts.

“This is really infrastructure rehabilitation, public space improvement …” said Hanna Westra, outreach and development specialist with the Lake Superior Community Partnership, which is administering the grant. “These are investments in these communities.”

The communities involved include the cities of Marquette, Negaunee and Ishpeming, she said. The buildings are:

– The Anderson Building (203 S. Main St., Ishpeming)

– Queen City Running (130 W. Baraga Ave., Marquette)

– Method Real Estate Partners (201 N. Front St., Marquette)

– Degraeve Properties (442 Iron St., Negaunee)

– Samara Floral (415 Iron St., Negaunee)

The Anderson Building in downtown Ishpeming night be considered typical. The 12,000-square foot late Victorian structure was constructed by a wealthy Swedish family in 1891, the same year as Ishpeming’s city hall.

The three-story building is located on the corner of Main Street and Pearl and has been home to many businesses over the years, including the Brown Derby and Nardi’s.

The second floor was often home to doctors, dentists or lawyers.

When it was originally built, the first floor was used for retail, with two store fronts on Main Street and a smaller store front on Pearl Street. The second floor was eight small offices. The third floor was the most popular and it was built as a large hall or lodge room.

It’s exterior is notable for its tower and sandstone exterior.

“The Anderson … Building is a community-defining building in downtown Ishpeming that provides incredible untapped potential for new housing and commercial space in the West End,” said Marquette County Land Bank Authority Executive Director, Antonio Adan. “We’re thrilled to be among the list of approved projects to receive RAP grant funding which will enable us to collectively put more than $500,000 into improving this mixed-use project.”

Westra said the projects will be funded at a 50 percent rate from the state grant with each building’s owner responsible for 50 percent. While all of the projects are expected to launch this summer, individual completion dates are dependent on the scope of the work and other, related influences.

“These projects represent the incredible collaboration happening across our region and I’m honored that the LSCP could coordinate a robust subgrant program that spanned three different downtowns in Marquette County,” said Christopher Germain, CEO of the Lake Superior Community Partnership. “This funding allows us to reimagine what’s possible for our downtowns, public spaces, and community gathering places. Efforts such as these demonstrate our commitment to supporting vibrant communities that retain and attract talent and investment.”