Cadillac Council Weighs Hiring Pinnacle for Cooley School Redevelopment

Cadillac Council to Consider Pinnacle as Construction Manager for BEP‑Funded Cooley School Redevelopment into 23 Apartments

In a move to advance the redevelopment of the Cooley School into housing, the Cadillac City Council will on Tuesday consider Pinnacle Construction Group as the construction manager for BEP scopes of work funded by a $676,127 Blight Elimination Program grant. The project envisions 23 apartments, with at least 12 affordable units targeted at households at or below 120% AMI.

The BEP grant will fund masonry repairs, window removal and repair, and roof removal and replacement. City officials say the arrangement is designed so BEP funds cover construction costs rather than management fees, and that there would be no city costs beyond BEP and no mark‑up by Pinnacle. Pinnacle is already the overall project construction manager for Cooley, not limited to BEP scopes, according to city documentation. Invoices for contractor work are planned to be paid upfront by Garrett Family Community Partners, with BEP funds transferred to that entity at project completion and Pinnacle validating invoices with copies forwarded to the city for oversight.

Project scope, relationships, and context

The redevelopment involves Garrett Family Community Partners, a Michigan not‑for‑profit entity tied to DKD Development in a Cadillac Area Public Schools (CAPS) transaction for acquisition and redevelopment of the Cooley School site. The project sits within a framework that also leverages brownfield redevelopment incentives and the creation of an obsolete property rehabilitation district to help secure state support. Public information shows an estimated project cost around $4.7 million. The plan is designed to provide housing for the working class and young professionals, aligning with city leaders’ stated housing goals.

Planning approvals and financing tools

The effort includes rezoning the property from single‑family to multi‑family use, and the establishment of an obsolete property rehabilitation district and a brownfield redevelopment plan to position the project for state grants and incentives. The funding strategy centers on state programs that support environmental cleanup and site redevelopment, aiming to keep the housing component affordable and sustainable over time.

Procurement, oversight, and timeline

City staff have recommended waiving competitive bidding and awarding the construction manager contract to Pinnacle. This arrangement is described as the most effective and efficient way to oversee all contracts for the project and ensure BEP compliance. The council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday at 6 p.m. at the Cadillac Municipal Complex, located at 200 North Lake Street. In addition to the Pinnacle decision, the council will consider a separate proposal to allow short‑term rentals in the B‑3 district via a special use permit, with a public hearing planned for Sept. 15.

Operationally, Pinnacle will assemble and approve BEP invoices submitted by Garrett Family Community Partners, with copies provided to the city for oversight. The BEP grant is administered through the State Land Bank Authority, and city leadership expects that no additional city funding will be required beyond the BEP allocation. Garrett will handle upfront payments to subcontractors and suppliers, with reimbursement tied to BEP milestones as the project progresses. Pinnacle’s responsibilities extend beyond BEP scopes to encompass overall project management and coordination of contracts to maintain progress and mitigate risk.

Historical and community context

The Cooley School site carries a long history as a 1923 structure that closed in 2010 and has remained vacant for years. Local planning discussions have noted the building’s potential for housing and the desire to preserve the historic structure rather than demolish it. Public records reflect ongoing debates around zoning and redevelopment incentives, with governance tools such as an obsolete property rehabilitation district and a brownfield redevelopment plan central to attracting state grants. The broader aim is to address local housing needs by creating a mix of market‑rate and affordable units within a reused historic property.

Weather context

Weather context accompanying the report notes plenty of sunshine with a forecasted high near 77F and light, variable winds. A separate line describes a clear sky and a low near 48F with light winds. The summary reiterates lots of sunshine and a high around 77F followed by clear skies and a low near 48F. A snapshot line provides approximate values for today and the next two days: Today high 78F, low 53F, Monday high 80F, low 54F, Tuesday high 79F, low 55F.

Public disclosures note that the project status and related planning efforts have drawn community discussion and a spectrum of opinions, including concerns about costs and the balance between historic preservation and new housing. City leadership frames the Cooley redevelopment as a strategic effort to address housing shortages while leveraging state funding mechanisms to address environmental cleanup and property rehabilitation needs.