Nicole Hayden

Times Herald

The newest loft project spearheaded by the Witt family continues to move forward.

On Wednesday, the state announced that the MidTown Lofts projects at 411 Grand River Ave. in Port Huron will be receiving a $83,126 Michigan Community Revitalization Program grant from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.

The $515,000 project will feature three lofts on the second floor and commercial space on the first floor.

Two of the lofts will have two bedrooms, while the third will have one bedroom. All will be roughly 900 square feet, said Michelle Witt. The Witt family is also responsible for the redevelopment of the Citadel Stage and Bens Fine Lofts.

The family has developed nearly 50 lofts across multiple projects in Port Huron – many above downtown businesses.

“Amenities for the lofts will be similar to the other developments we have completed,” Witt said. “We have not decided on design yet, but they will be similar to the others.”

The other lofts throughout Port Huron’s downtown developed by the Witts feature large windows, exposed bricks and an industrial design.

Witt said the first-floor commercial space has not been leased by anyone yet, but the construction of the loft portion of the project has started. The building, on Grand River Avenue between Huron Avenue and Michigan Street, had until recently housed an antiques shop.

New lofts coming to Port Huron

“We will not take applications for the lofts or commercial space until we are closer to being finished,” Witt said. “Unless a commercial tenant signs a lease prior to and we do a custom build.”

A timeline of completion has not been announced, but once completed the project is expected to create four full-time jobs.

In addition to the state grant, the Port Huron City Council approved a Neighborhood Enterprise Zone Rehabilitation Certificate in July. The award holds the property’s taxable value at a reduced rate after the building improvements are made. That agreement is valued at $1,800 to $2,700 per year for 10 years.

Port Huron currently has close to 100 lofts, which bring in close to $3 million in disposable income to be circulated throughout the downtown.

For more information on current lofts owned by the Witts in the Port Huron area go to www.porthuronlofts.com.

Contact Nicole Hayden at (810) 989-6279 or nhayden@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @nicoleandpig.