MARKING THE END OF AN ERA, dismantling of the old Shiawassee Regional Chamber of Commerce building at 215 N. Water St., Owosso, began Sunday, Sept. 17. The demolition is part of the Owosso Armory renovation process. The mid-century modern chamber building, situated directly in front of the historic armory, had been constructed during a period when community leaders had been strongly inclined to modernize the downtown area. The concept was to improve Owosso by introducing a new, more contemporary flare. Times have certainly changed, however, with a current attitude moving more toward the preservation of older, historic structures.
The SRCC, along with its partner organizations including SEDP, SBDC, and SCVB, moved to a temporary location in the Exchange Building three weeks ago. The Owosso Armory project is slated to be finished next year, when it will then become the permanent location for the SRCC and assorted small businesses.
Many area people may recall in 2005 when then SRCC president, Joe Borgstrom, had considered moving the chamber to the corner of Main and Washington Streets, where an Edward Jones office is now located.
(Independent Photo/Karen Mead-Elford)
