NBA star Wilson Chandler is teaming up with Cornerstone Alliance to pursue the renovation of the facade of the historic Farmers and Merchants Bank building in downtown Benton Harbor. Cornerstone Alliance President Rob Cleveland tells WSJM News the building at 92 West Main was first opened in 1888, and it’s hoped a renovation of its front will make way for a new occupant.
“The building inside is in very good condition, and even the facade on the outside is stable, but it certainly needs a restore,” Cleveland said.
Cleveland says Chandler owns one of the building’s three segments, and Cornerstone owns one. The other segment belongs to a private investor. The facade renovation is expected to cost around $500,000.
“The plan will be to restore the terra-cotta facade to its original condition so there will be no monumental face lift,” Cleveland said. “We’re not going to change the general appearance, make it brick or change the facade to that degree.”
Cleveland says work will take place over the next 90 to 120 days. Benton Harbor Mayor Marcus Muhammad says the project “is another example that Benton Harbor is a city on the move and how a rising tide lifts all boats.”
