Two vacant buildings in REO Town are in the midst of transforming into vibrant mixed-use spaces for local businesses, additional office space and residential units.
Demolition began in late July to make way for the reconstruction of 1101 and 1103 S. Washington Ave. Sleepwalker Spirits and Ale could open on the ground floor of one building by December 2017, while second floor renovations are expected to be complete by September. Renovations are also underway in the adjacent building for the future home of the Wheel House Pottery Studio—owned and operated by local artist and teacher Daniel Nunez—as well as two upstairs apartments.
"It's been my privilege to teach Lansing how to play with mud for over a decade," says Nunez. "While I loved being a ceramics instructor for high schools, non-profits, and parks and recreation, I have always dreamed of opening my own studio."
Super Fancy Too, LLC, will invest $100,000 to redevelop the property that will house the brewery and restaurant at 1101. Nunez's development company, REO Life, will invest about $472,855 to rehabilitate 1103 for mixed use commercial.
When open, Sleepwalker is expected to create 12 full-time jobs. The REO Life project will create two full-time jobs, with completion expected in September 2018.
Both developers applied for Obsolete Property Rehabilitation Act Certificates to abate a portion of the future tax increases that will result from building improvements.
Source: Victoria Meadows, Marketing, Communications and Talent Director, LEAP
Writer/Editor: Ann Kammerer, News Editor
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