First step approved toward Hedde Building renovation – The Grand Island Independent: Local News First step approved toward Hedde Building renovation

An extensive $3.8 million renovation of the three-story Hedde Building in downtown Grand Island cleared its first hurdle Wednesday a approval of a $200,000 life-safety grant from Grand Islandas Community Redevelopment Authority.

aThis is a big, complicated project,a said building owner Amos Anson, who is partnering on the renovation with Grand Island businessman Tom Pirnie.

CRA member Glen Murray said its an ambitious project, but he sees the renovation of that building as a key to downtown and an integral part of keeping the downtownas recent momentum going.

Next, the downtown focused on bringing entertainment and vibrancy through creating a night life, such as through the Hear Grand Island, a downtown concert series.

The next step, he said, is to create additional opportunities for people to live downtown a such as through the Hedde Building renovation and a recently approved project for Tom Ziller to create apartments in the former Labor Federal Building.

CRA Director Chad Nabity said by approving the $200,000 life-safety grant, the CRA will assist Anson and Pirnie in building the stack of additional funding required for the extensive renovation project.

The $200,000 grant was approved on a 4-0 vote with Pirnieas wife, Sue, who is a CRA member, abstaining from the vote.