Sturgis awarded grant for structure demolition

Sturgis residents will see improvements near the downtown district with help from a $50,000 blight-elimination grant awarded by the Michigan Land Bank Fast Track Authority.
Three deteriorating residential structures that had become a public-safety issue are targeted for demolition using the funds. The buildings were selected from key areas located within walking distance to community assets and the Sturgis Downtown District.
In October 2015, the land bank received a $1 million grant from the Michigan State Housing Development Authority to continue efforts to demolish vacant and abandoned structures and promote public safety.
County land banks and local units of government with eligible projects across the state were invited to apply for this round of funding by early February. Grant awards for individual projects were capped at $250,000.
Statewide, 41 applications were submitted requesting more than $3.4 million.