The rehabilitation of the long-vacant, historic Baker Building in downtown New Baltimore will add housing, commercial space, and increased density

LANSING, MI - On December 3, 2024, Governor Gretchen Whitmer joined the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) to announce a redevelopment project receiving support from the Revitalization and Placemaking (RAP) program, which will see the rehabilitation of the historic Baker Building in downtown New Baltimore.  

This project, supported by a $1,238,924 RAP grant, will create three new housing units and generate a total capital investment of over $2.95 million, adding vibrancy and density to the community’s downtown. The RAP program provides access to gap financing for place-based infrastructure development, real estate rehabilitation and development, and public space improvements.  

“Restoring the historic Baker Building in New Baltimore will create more housing supply to drive down costs and make downtown a more attractive place to live, work, and invest,” said Governor Whitmer. “We are focused on our comprehensive economic development strategy to help anyone ‘Make It in Michigan’ by supporting people, investing in places, and winning projects. Together, we will grow our economy and make every region of our state more vibrant as werecruit and retaintop talentand drive down the cost of housing. Let’s keep working together to get things done.” 

“On behalf of the MEDC, we are pleased to work with communities across Michigan and invest in their resilience through the RAP program as part of our ‘Make It in Michigan’ economic strategy’s placemaking efforts,” said Michele Wildman, MEDC Chief Place Officer. “We look forward to seeing how this project brings new life to the historic Baker Building and improves downtown New Baltimore for its community and residents.”  

The project will rehabilitate a long-vacant, 9,316 sq.-ft. historic building into a mixed-use building containing three residential units and commercial space. The cost of construction is elevated due to the work required to preserve the building’s remaining historic features and address structural issues. The development team has worked with the local government to secure a Commercial Rehabilitation Act exemption to help the future financial viability of the site. 

Upon construction completion, the Baker Building will add to the density and walkability of downtown New Baltimore.  

“This is very exciting for the City of New Baltimore as this building holds a significant piece of history in our community,” said Mayor Thomas Semaan. “This will also add to the significant resurgence of development and redevelopment of our historic preservation of buildings in the district. New Baltimore is grateful to the MEDC for their diligence in seeing this project through to successful resolution.”  

“The revitalization of this historic Baker Building marks an exciting new chapter for the New Baltimore community,” said state Senator Kevin Hertel (D-St. Clair Shores). “Together with funds secured in the 2025 budget to repair the city’s breakwalls, this grant provides us the opportunity to strengthen our collective work with local leaders to create a more vibrant downtown where people want to live, work, and play, while enjoying all that Lake St. Clair has to offer.”  

This project builds on placemaking initiatives in the New Baltimore community from the MEDC, including the universally accessible playscape at Walter and Mary Burke Park made possible in part by support from the Public Spaces Community Places crowdfunding program. In 2022, the universally accessible playscape met its $50,000 crowdfunding goal and received matching funds from the MEDC; the New Baltimore community held a ribbon cutting event that July, celebrating a space that would allow children of all abilities to play.