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April 2, 2001

Three buildings sold at GT Commons

- Campus buildings sold for more than $400,000
By BILL O'BRIEN
Record-Eagle staff writer
      
      TRAVERSE CITY - Two more pieces of the Grand Traverse Commons campus have been sold for more than $400,000.
      Deals were closed in March on the sale of two buildings to the Women's Resource Center for continued use as centers for domestic violence and assault victims. Also sold was the original Munson hospital building on 11th Street. It will be restored for use by a local architect.
      The former All Faiths Chapel structure, Building 43 on the Commons grounds, and another structure known as Building 80 used as a domestic violence victim shelter were bought by the Women's Resource Center for $276,000, said Rachel Brady, executive director of the Grand Traverse Commons Redevelopment Corp.
      The center had been leasing the former chapel from the Commons board since 1992 as space for both administrative offices and victim services.
      The agency was able to buy the building and eliminate leasing costs through various grant sources. Sources included a $100,000 challenge grant from the Snyder Fund, a family donor fund managed by the Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation. The grant was matched with local donations.
      The Michigan State Housing Development Authority also provided a grant for the purchase of Building 80.
      Jan Warren, president of the Women's Resource Center, said the agency plans to maintain the "community focus" for that part of the campus as called for in the Commons' master plan.
      "The All Faiths Chapel will continue to serve nonprofits, while we envision developing the surrounding grounds to appear park-like," she said. "The community will know they are welcome."
      The original Munson hospital building at 921 11th St., which is Building 88, was bought by local architect Ken Richmond for $150,000. He has participated in several public and private historic rehabilitation projects in the community and will open his own firm in the building.
      Proceeds from the property sales go back to the Commons organization to fund operations and improvements at the former state hospital grounds.
      Brady said there is not much money left over from the sale of Building 88, as the Commons has to repay Grand Traverse County $147,000 for a note it has on the structure.