STARS: Potter Street Station chosen as new headquarters

SAGINAW, Mich. (WNEM) – The STARS Board of Directors has chosen to redevelop Potter Street Station as the new headquarters for the agency.

The decision to select Potter Street Station was made after a year-long feasibility study, which was done in collaboration by Spicer Group, HDR, and Spence Brothers, STARS said.

“Why go tearing buildings somewhere else in the city down when we’ve got prime real estate sitting right here?” said Glenn Steffens, the executive director of STARS.

Before construction can start and doors can open, there is a lot of work that needs to happen. However, choosing a location is a major step.

Steffens said STARS narrowed it down to three locations, but Potter Street ultimately offered the most opportunity.

“Potter Street gives the potential for this project to be something, well more than just a bus station project, but an economic redevelopment, community redevelopment type of project,” Steffens explained.

He said all the information gathered from the year-long study indicated Potter Street was the most appropriate location.

“We see the Potter Street site as a much larger project that would spur economic development in the Northeast Neighborhood and open up funding sources that other sites can’t,” Steffens said.

STARS said the agency’s next steps will be determining potential funding and broadening support through community outreach.

Steffens said the total cost of the project is in the $70 million range, and the rehabilitation of Potter Street Station could cost about $20 million.

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