PROPERTY OWNER BRAD STAEDT of RR Downtown LLC of Iron Mountain wants to turn the former Lake Shore Systems Inc. property at 900 W. Breitung Ave. into 30 apartments and a banquet hall. (Theresa Proudfit/Daily News photo)

KINGSFORD — The Kingsford City Council has approved designating the former Lake Shore Systems Inc. property at 900 W. Breitung Ave. as a brownfield area, opening the way for the site to be converted to housing and other uses.

Property owner Brad Staedt of RR Downtown LLC of Iron Mountain wants to turn the main office building into 30 apartments and the engineering building into a banquet hall. The brownfield designation, recommended by the Dickinson County Brownfield Authority, would help with costs for asbestos and lead removal. The matter now will go to the Dickinson County Board for a public hearing.

The council also approved designating the property as a Commercial Rehabilitation District, which provides a tax exemption for qualified businesses that are repurposed.

A public hearing, required for approval, is set for 6:45 p.m. Dec. 2 at City Hall.

The property, which formerly housed Oldenburg Group Inc. that became Lake Shore Systems, has been vacant for about eight years after Oldenburg moved to a new facility at 2141 Woodwood Ave. in Kingsford.

The council Monday also approved a $16,470 bid from Universal Plumbing-Heating & Air Conditioning Inc. of Kingsford to replace a boiler at the public works building.

City Manager Anthony Edlebeck said while he approached four local businesses and advertised in other areas, Universal was the only one to respond. He’s not sure why it was the only bid.

In other business, the council:

— Accepted and placed on file the city’s five-year capital improvement plan, which includes several items that already have been completed, including the generator project at the public safety building. The council will approve the plan at a future meeting.

— Discussed a letter from a resident seeking a change in the city ordinance to allow live trapping of rabbits and gray squirrels on his property. Edlebeck said gray squirrels and rabbits are considered game animals under state ordinances, so require a permit. City ordinance maintains a trap on city property must not be within 300 feet of another residence or within 100 feet of a roadway. Animal control will trap and remove problem animals.

— Learned the city again has been awarded a 2020 state grant for scrap tire removal. Several nearby cities and townships also are part of the grant, which totals $22,000 for the area.

— Learned five deer have been taken in the city hunt so far.

— Selected Monday, Dec. 9, for the city’s tree lighting ceremony at City Hall.