The Jonesville DDA and the City of Jonesville collectively own three parcels in the Downtown. The primary parcel includes a vacant 68,500 square foot former manufacturing building, depicted as Parcel I, below. Parcel II is a small parcel, formerly used for parking. Parcel IV was acquired by the DDA and City in anticipation that additional parking would be needed to accommodate the redevelopment.
Parcel III was privately sold and is not owned by the City/DDA.
The property presents a unique development opportunity. The property has frontage on the St. Joseph River. It also fronts Chicago Street (US-12), which had an average of 11,866 vehicles travelling past the site every day in 2020.
The building is a 68,500 square foot former factory. The original building was built in 1945, with several additions over the years. It was occupied by Vaco products from 1945 until 1986 and by Klein Tools from 1986 until 2008. Both companies manufactured hand tools. The City and the DDA purchased the building in 2010.
There is extensive data on the website regarding environmental conditions on the property, including a Due Care Compliance Plan that was completed in 2019 through a grant from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE). The Plan includes additional subsurface tests, as well as indoor air sample results. The City has previously worked closely with EGLE staff for environmental evaluations; EGLE has advised that they will consider grant and loan proposals for qualifying developments.