KINGSFORD — The owner of the former Birchwood Mall will be allowed to use as storage space the building that once housed JCPenney and a Sears store.

The Kingsford City Council earlier this week authorized rezoning the site at 610 S. Carpenter Ave. from B-1 Community Business to B-2 General Business so it can be used for indoor storage

William Neuens Realty LLC originally had proposed converting the mall to apartments but changed plans late last year.

The council Monday also authorized hiring U.P. Engineers and Architects of Iron Mountain for $1,000 to apply for Michigan Department of Transportation Category B Funds for two projects. The city could receive 50 percent of the construction costs, up to $250,000, for each project, City Manager Anthony Edlebeck said. Applications are due by April 5.

The road resurfacing projects would be done on Woodward Avenue from Westwood Avenue to Balsam Street and on Pyle Drive from Westwood to Evergreen Court. Both would be completed this year.

Category B Funds are for villages and cities with populations of less than 10,000. The projects must be completed in fiscal years 2019 and 2020.

In other business, the council learned from Edlebeck that city crews had to repair another 6-inch water main break, the fifth of the season. He said it is very unusual to have this many breaks during winter.

Marguerite Lanthier can be reached at 906-774-3500, ext. 42, or mlanthier@ironmountaindailynews.com.