The Lapeer grants will allow officials to convert the formerLyons & Smith clothing store at Nepessing and Court streetsinto an art center that would include three studio apartments forartists, says Sara Coulter, Lapeer's housing administrator. The8,000 sf building now houses the Pix Arts Council and the LapeerAbstract and Title Co. The upgrades would be funded through a$375,000 grant from the state, Coulter adds.

The title company is expected to relocate to another Downtownbuilding once renovations begin, Coulter says. Renovations of thebasement of the building would provide a place for classes and artmeetings, she adds. Coulter notes the building has open space, highceilings and display cases, which makes it ideal as a center whereartists can work on and display their works.

Another grant for $182,900 will turn six Downtown apartmentsthat have been vacant for at least 10 years into rentable livingspaces, says Diane Larkin, the city's housing technician. Theapartments, located above Downtown businesses, have fallen intodisrepair and need repairs to ceilings, walls and floors, plus newutilities. Under terms of the grants, half of the apartments mustbe rented to low- or moderate-income tenants, Larkin says.