MISHAWAKA – It's been a part of Mishawaka since 1910 and now it's getting a new life.
We're talking about the old "Mishawaka Furniture" Store on Lincolnway in the city's downtown.
Next week, it will become home to 32 new apartments.
The building has been home to a school, a furniture store, but next week, it will actually be home to more than 60 people as it turns into a new apartment building.
"Great momentum downtown, it's a great place to be," said Mishawaka Mayor Dave Wood.
But why spend $7 million to make it look brand new in here?
"This building is a focal point of downtown,” Wood added. “It has a tremendous history here.”
The city received low-income housing tax credit money from the state and used some city money for the project.
Mayor Wood said the investment will pay for itself over time.
"We've got a good history and a great track record of converting old school houses to apartments," he said.
They turned the old Battell School into a community center and apartments right here near Mishawaka and Main Street and also turned Mary Phillips School off Logan and Lawrence into apartments.
Like those buildings, this newly renovated one, named Mishawaka Junior High Apartments, will cater to those 55-plus looking to downsize their living space.
"The beauty of this project is that its affordable housing," Wood said.
But it looks like luxury. There are 32 units in there. Each apartment is either one or two bedrooms, complete with the original wood flooring from 1910 and high ceilings.
Wood said making use of this once vacant building will bring more people downtown.
And more people equals more business flow and more companies wanting to relocate to a heavily saturated urban environment.
If you'd like more information on how to live at the new building, call the Mishawaka Housing Authority at (574)258-1656.
