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The building on the southeast corner of Court and Hamilton, which houses Jake's Old City Grill, is one of three on the block in the plans for a residential development project that is in the works.

SAGINAW, MI — A multi-million-dollar development project, atop the former site of Fort Saginaw in Saginaw's Old Town business district, is being pursued by the family who now owns all four buildings along the south side of Court Street between Hamilton and Niagara.

Jon D. Hall, the founder of commercial bar equipment company Glastender Inc. based in Kochville Township, created Hall Commercial Properties LLC with his five children in 2008.

In 2009, the company purchased the properties at 100 S. Hamilton (Jake's Old City Grill) and two vacant buildings to the east, at 311 and 315 Court Street. The former location of Ewald's Bar, at 301 Court Street, was purchased by the company on May 31.

Kevin Camese, a development consultant to the Hall family, said the properties are now being assessed with an eye toward development.

"The Hall family is very excited to research options available to develop the vacant space before the conditions in the historic structures are too severe to proceed," Camese said. "Some of the obvious development options are residential and commercial, but completing a feasibility study is necessary before a firm direction or cost can be determined."

The company has requested city leaders consider granting an Obsolete Property Rehabilitation Act District for the string of properties, which could freeze the taxable value for a period of up to 12 years.

Though some commercial development is an option, Camese said there would be enough room in the three buildings closest to Court for somewhere between 12 and 24 residential units.

"Residential would be an obvious solution here," he said. "We're working to determine if this would be a destination and smart spot for commercial or would it be a smarter choice to have people living there."

The future of the more than 100-year-old brick building on Court and Niagara, which has housed Ewald's Bar for more than 60 years, is less certain. Camese said the wall between 301 Court and the other buildings needs to be addressed, for the structural integrity of the other buildings.

"The acquisition of Ewald's was one of convenient and of immediate necessity," he said. "We just seized that opportunity to one, protect the structural integrity of the building. This leaves us with more options, to use that for dedicated parking or for more space for development."

According to the report being presented to Saginaw City Council at its June 17 meeting, the plan calls for condominiums on the second and third floors of the corner building that houses Jake's and on all three floors of the two buildings behind.

Jake's Old City Grill, located on the first floor of 100 S. Hamilton, would not be impacted by the planned residential development.

The Ewald's building, according to that report, would be developed for parking.

Agenda and meeting packet for June 17, 2013, Saginaw City Council meeting

Ewald's Bar

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But the history of 301 Court Street is much older.

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Camese said he expects the cost to rehabilitate and renovate the buildings, combined with the property purchases themselves, will make the development a multi-million-dollar undertaking for the Hall family.

The family believes the "timing seems right" for the project, because of other development projects in the area, and is happy to be part of revitalization of the Old Town district, and Saginaw in general.

"The future of our city lies within its rich history," said Kim Norris, one of Hall's five children. "We love the charm of Old Town. Now we want to make something very cool out of these historic buildings."

Camese said he hopes to have results from a market study and opinions for structural engineers soon and predicts specific decisions about the buildings' development will be coming within 90 days.

Saginaw City Council will consider at its meeting June 17 whether or not to set a public hearing on the requested OPRA tax district, which would take place at the July 1 meeting.

The hope is to complete building renovations by spring 2014, Camese said.

Paul Barrera, owner of Jakes Old City Grill and former owner of the properties slatted for development, said he hopes the plans spur other investments in Old Town.

"The vision of a vibrant live-work-play district in Old Town has been mine for over a decade, Barrera said. "To see this vision being carried forward by the Hall family is a proud moment for this city."