DEARBORN — Spring construction is under way at the former City Hall, and to celebrate Artspace will host a Ground Thaw.
The event is open to the public and will be held at 5:30 p.m. April 21 at the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center, 15801 Michigan Ave.
Artspace will give the community an update on the past, current and future construction plans for the complex.
Construction began in February with furniture clearing, environmental abatement and the demolition of the parking deck.
The Michigan-based Monahan company has been handling the construction for the project.
Spring construction will feature site work and work on the outside of the buildings, including the roofs, Artspace Project Manager Becky St. Clair said.
The Minneapolis-based non-profit purchased the building Dec. 30 and received the keys to the complex on Jan. 5.
The completed project will include 53 apartment units made up of affordable live and work space for artists and their families as well as work studios, co-working space for entrepreneurs and artists, a live and work unit for an artist-in-residency program, and galleries.
The project is the first for Artspace in Michigan, after looking at more than 20 possible sites in Dearborn.
The total cost will be just under $17 million, which came from various funding. The project is expected to be completed by early 2016, with leasing information coming in the spring.
For more information on the project go to artspace.org.