The Maurer family has a some noticeable plans for the building that houses the Mix and What is That? art gallery in downtown Ypsilanti.

The Ypsilanti-based developers bought the structure at 128-130 W Michigan Ave. in 2007. Then it was a vacant foreclosure with a lot of problems, ranging from a leaky roof to condemned apartments.

"There were a few challenges," says Eric Maurer, who co-owns and develops a number of rental properties in Ypsilanti with his wife Karen.

They rehabbed the 2-story building into six lofts and some ground floor retail space that filled up relatively quickly. However, the rusted and weather-worn steel paneling and other façade improvements of yore remained unaddressed, until this year.

The Maurers plan to spend $123,500 to repair the brick façade of the early 20th Century building and add some fresh paint. They also plan to replacing the windows with Low-E glass. The end result should be a refreshed Art Deco look that will look completely different.

"I really want to make it a show stopper," Maurer says. "It's a pretty important corner to downtown."

The Maurers are applying for matching façade-improvement funds from state of Michigan. Construction is expected to begin this spring or summer and wrap up before next winter sets in.

Source: Eric Maurer, co-owner of 128-130 W Michigan Ave
Writer: Jon Zemke