City of Grayling to pursue grant for possible project at former Chamber of Commerce site

The City of Grayling is pursuing grant money for a possible project that would involve purchase of the now-vacant Grayling Regional Chamber of Commerce building located next to the city park and demolition of the structure.

The Chamber of Commerce recently moved out of the building and moved into a new location on Michigan Avenue in downtown Grayling. According to city officials, the City of Grayling owns the property on which the former Chamber of Commerce office sits, but the chamber owns the building.

City Manager Erich Podjaske – during a regular meeting of the Grayling City Council on Monday, January 9 – said the Chamber of Commerce board recently voted in favor of selling the building to the city, and he asked the council members if they wanted him to proceed with the pursuit of the grant for the project.

City Manager Podjaske said so far he was unaware of any other groups wanting the former chamber building for another use. 

Podjaske said the grant project would involve purchasing the building, demolishing it, and having the space for potential future use.

Podjaske told the council if the grant application process were to be unsuccessful there would be “no action” with regard to the proposed project.

The city council voted 5-0 to move forward with the grant process.