Ypsilanti’s What is That? building preps for new facade

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 AveWriter: Jon Zemke