Today CL Real Estate Development (CLRED) shared good news regarding its plans to renovate the former Kaskaskia Hotel in downtown LaSalle, Illinois. “We are thrilled that the Illinois State Historic Preservation Office just announced that the Kaskaskia project was awarded $675,000 in state historic tax credits to help secure private financing for its historic restoration,” said Nathan Watson, CLRED President. “There have been many hurdles over the years making this project a reality, and this news from the Preservation Office could not come at a better time for the City of LaSalle and our organization,” Watson added.

CLRED also confirms it has addressed recent requests from the City of LaSalle related to the hotel property. “The City approached us with requests to address broken glass and other safety issues,” said Nathan Watson, CLRED President. “For the past couple of months our Property Manager has worked closely with the City of LaSalle inspector to address those issues; most of them are completed and those remaining will be wrapped up very shortly.”

CLRED has also hired a third-party engineering firm to conduct a structural survey of the hotel. “This is crucial information we need in preparation of a full renovation of the hotel,” said Watson. “We will be happy to share the results of that survey with the City of LaSalle when it is completed,” Watson added.

GRAND HAVEN, MI: On June 6, the City Council of Grand Haven, Michigan approved an agreement to sell the historic Grand Haven Diesel Power Plant for $1M to Grand Power Works, LLC, a joint venture of CLRED and local partners “Diesel Boys.” The proposal submitted included the adaptive reuse of the spacious interior as a combination of office space, a restaurant, and event space. Grand Power Works will now enter a due diligence period for the next 120 days, starting from when the agreement is signed. During the due diligence period, Grand Power Works will study the property in greater depth to assess its feasibility to be redeveloped into the proposed mixed-use office, restaurant, and event space. Working in conjunction with the planning commission, development partners, investors, and architecture and engineering consultants, Grand Power Works will be able to determine the best use of the property.

CLRED and Diesel Boys intend to keep the most significant historical aspects of the diesel plant, preserving the building’s character and identity and protecting the openness and grandeur of the space. This project will provide a different and unique space for events that will draw interest year-round for Grand Haven, a traditionally seasonal market. With the new use of the space, both locals and newcomers to the city will be able to experience the diesel plant, previously inaccessible to the general public. “We’re honored to have the opportunity to develop the diesel power plant. We believe this will be a transformative project for the city, preserving the history of a building that has served the community for over a century and allowing it to continue to serve Grand Haven for many years to come in a new capacity,” says CLRED Development Associate Brant Cohen.

CLRED is joined in this endeavor by the senior leadership of its longtime partner, Lakewood Construction, Nick Nykerk and Kyle Engbers. Lakewood Construction is a Holland-based construction company with many prominent construction projects in Grand Haven. Lakewood will manage the construction of the project. “Developing the diesel power plant will give the community access to a piece of Grand Haven history in a new and exciting way. We are very grateful to have the opportunity to be a part of this project with CLRED and can’t way to see it come to life once again” says Nick Nykerk of Lakewood Construction.

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