Work is about to begin on the first new building expected to anchor Dexter's second Main Street.
Schulz Development plans to raze a vacant 19th Century structure later this month so it can begin work on the Mill Creek Terrace in June. The building, 150 Jeffords, is adjacent to Mill Creek and one block south of Main Street on the west side of downtown.
"The views from the third floor overlooking Mill Creek are gorgeous," says Joe Schulz, president of Schulz Development.
The Ann Arbor-based company plans to create a three-story, 27,000-square-foot mixed-use building. It will have space for ground floor retail and options for residential and office space on the second and third floor. This is significant because it creates space --for sale or lease-- in a downtown where there isn't much office space to be had.
"This is a very good opportunity for us because the office/condo market is very good right now," Schulz says.
The building is all new construction but it's designed in the traditional downtown storefront style. The builder will use a special brick that is as thick as masonry block but looks like brick on the exterior and interior walls.
"What we basically are trying to do is create a new building that looks old," Schulz says.
Work is expected to wrap up next summer. It will be the first new building for Jeffords, which village planners are trying to turn into another dense urban area with lots of storefronts, office space and residences like Main Street.
Source: Joe Schulz, president of Schulz Development
Writer: Jon Zemke
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