By ZEINAB NAJM
Times-Herald Newspapers
DEARBORN — Prospective Artspace tenants gathered at City Hall Lofts, 13615 Michigan Ave., Nov. 11 for a chance to tour the building prior to its completion.
The tours drew about 40 interested and eager future residents.
“It’s great to see so many people come out for the tour,” Artspace Property Manager Jen Bridges said. “We’ve been doing multiple information sessions and now we are finally able to do tours.”
The construction for the project is going on schedule for its opening in January, officials said.
The application process began Sept. 25, and Artspace is still accepting applications from people interested in living in the lofts.
Prospective tenants will be contacted by Artspace after their application is processed. Applicants also will have the option of selecting their unit of choice once their security deposit is placed.
A committee will then be formed to interview prospective tenants before residents are chosen to live in the lofts.
Once artists are selected for the lofts, they will be encouraged to form their own committee and plan events and exhibits.
“We love to see our residents and artists working together to create exhibits for the commercial space and project grand opening,” Bridges said. “ Residents have the opportunity to expose themselves to community partners and build connections.”
The lofts are still under construction with layouts, drywall and some bathrooms and kitchens already in place.
For the lofts without windows, sky lights and tubes will be installed for residents to open for light and air.
The completed $16.5 million arts campus project will include 53 apartment units made up of live and work space for artists and their families.
Also included are studios, co-working space for entrepreneurs and artists, incubator space, creative businesses, a live-and-work unit for an artist-in-residency program, and galleries.
The project will offer residents a choice between studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom lofts ranging from 700 to 1,250 square feet.
Residents will also receive on-site washer and dryer units, window blinds, common area gallery or exhibition space, outdoor plaza and on-site parking.
The Artspace complex consists of three buildings: the former City Hall, the West Annex and the Concourse.
The City Hall and West Annex buildings will be used for the residential units, community room, outdoor patio and corridor art galleries.
The Concourse connects City Hall and the West Annex, and will provide small business incubator space, art galleries, community meeting and classroom space, office space and individual co-working studios.
Prospective tenants can submit their applications online at artspace.com/Dearborn or by mail to the East Dearborn Downtown Development Authority office, 13750 Michigan Ave., Dearborn, MI, 48126.
An application fee of $25 per adult 18 and older and $40 for married couples is required at the time of application which will cover the credit report and criminal background check.
Applicants must meet income and affordability restrictions set by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
For more information on the project and application process go to artspace.org/Dearborn or email the Artpsace Property Manager Jennifer Bridges at [email protected].
(Zeinab Najm can be reached at [email protected])