A prime piece of real estate in uptown Edwardsburg will soon get a new life, thanks to a collaboration between multiple county and state entities. 

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) will demolish a vacant gas station in Edwardsburg. The property, located at 26828 Main St., has reportedly become a safety hazard.

Among those concerned about the building were representatives of the Edwardsburg Area History Museum, which is right next door. In a letter of support for grant funding, the museum board expressed grave concern over the safety of the property. which has been vacant for years but was most recently an antiques and collectibles store.

Hearing their concerns, Cass County Treasurer Hope Anderson, who is also chair of the Cass County Land Bank and a member of the Brownfield Redevelopment Authority, made the property the Land Bank’s top priority in the latest grant application for the state land bank’s blight elimination program.

Anderson approached EGLE about how to address the issue, which agreed to pay for the demolition of the building, as well as the removal of underground storage tanks that were used when the gas station was originally built in the 1940s. The project is expected to be completed by the summer of 2024.

After the demolition of the building, the owners of the property plan to build a mixed-use commercial and residential development on the site.

The project is one of many efforts to revitalize the “Uptown” area of Edwardsburg. The Cass District Library is also planning to build a new library as part of the revitalization project.

“The revitalization of 26828 W. Main Street will continue to add to the positive momentum happening in the Village and Cass District Library is in full support,” wrote Barbara Gordon, Cass District Library director.