MARQUETTE – Marquette’s Holy Family Orphanage is being considered for the National Register of Historic Places.

The State Historic Preservation Review Board approved the orphanage’s nomination at its May meeting.

“This is quite an achievement for the Holy Family Orphanage and for the entire Marquette community,” Sen. Tom Casperson, R-Escanaba, said in a recent news release. “Having served the western (Upper Peninsula) for more than 50 years, the orphanage is deserving of this prestigious distinction of being listed on the National Register of Historic Places. With this development, I am hopeful that the building can be rehabilitated and put to good use soon.”

Home Renewal Systems LLC of downstate Farmington Hills is looking to redevelop the orphanage into affordable housing for veterans and low- to moderate-income families.

Developers plan to finance a portion of the $15-million project with low-income housing and historic rehabilitation tax credits.

“There’s overwhelming support at every step we’ve taken,” said Barry Polzin, a local architect involved with the project. “At this point it’s waiting on MSHDA (Michigan State Housing Development Authority) to decide if it’s worthy of the low income tax credits.”

Polzin said MSHDA is expected to announce the low income tax credit decision July 1.

Developers are waiting for the National Park Service to officially add the orphanage to the National Register, which will then allow for submittal of the Part 2 application for the historic tax credits.

Polzin said the park service will likely notify developers of the orphanage’s addition to the register sometime in August.

Home Renewal Systems is looking to redevelop the orphanage into a 56-unit complex featuring one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments, with about 14 units to be set aside for veterans.

Monthly rates were expected to range between $240 and $825.

The current annual tax revenue to the city for the property is about $402.

The Marquette City Commission in March approved an ordinance allowing for a 45-year Payment in Lieu of Taxes for developers to begin 2017, the year developers hope to open the complex for business.

The apartment complex is expected to generate $10,621 during the first year of operation.

Ryan Jarvi can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 242.