Developer believes downtown Gaylord has the right stuff to prosper

GAYLORD — While Gary Scott expects serious short-term economic issues from the coronavirus, he believes that downtown Gaylord is uniquely positioned to not only survive, but thrive when a reopening of the economy occurs.

“There is no doubt that we have some tough times coming,” Scott said. “But I am still bullish on Gaylord and especially downtown Gaylord.”

Scott is excited that work has resumed on the Glasser Co-Op office space inside the Phoenix Building located at 145 W. Main St. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s executive order was modified to allow construction work in the state to commence on May 7.

The Glasser Co-Op is poised to be the first of its kind in Gaylord with about seven small offices that will include shared amenities like Wi-Fi access, conference rooms and a kitchen space.

“The idea is for people to have access to really nice office space at an affordable rate of about $300-$500 a month at a downtown address close to governmental buildings, restaurants and parking,” Scott said.

He said the spaces would be ideal for artists, a startup or a one- or two-person office. The Co-Op is named after longtime businessman Jerry Glasser who built and owned the Phoenix Building until 2012.

Meanwhile, Scott and his partners in Go North Properties (GNP), a real estate development company, are involved in reinvigorating a key set of buildings on the 100 block of West Main Street between Center and Court avenues in downtown Gaylord. Their holdings not only include the Phoenix, but also the Harold Elgas Clocktower building.

Scott and his partners in GNP recognize that the current COVID-19 situation represents a critical moment for downtown businesses.

“GNP is very concerned about public safety and local businesses’ sustainability,” Scott said. “We have implemented increased cleaning of public spaces and for retailers a two-month deferment of rent.”

GNP initially started with the Clocktower building where Fifth Third Bank is located. Harold Elgas was the president of the old Gaylord State Bank and an avid backer of Gaylord’s Alpine theme design in the 1960s. This building “was a vital part of downtown Gaylord in the ‘70s,” noted Scott.

Now it contains the GreyStone Coffee Company, Saturn Booksellers, Northern Home Satellite and the Gaylord Community Music School.

“We believe in downtown Gaylord and hopefully within a year and a half we can get a shovel in the ground for a new housing project,” said Scott. “Being a Gaylord native, I have many fond memories of my time spent in the community. From the schools to the summers on the lake — Gaylord was a special place to grow up.”

Tom Nelson, Kevin Theile and Scott started GNP and have partnered in real estate investments since 2013 in Indiana and Michigan. Scott roomed with Nelson at Albion College in 1985, while Theile and Scott met at their children’s elementary school in 2008.

Nelson and Scott had their first experience with real estate in Gaylord when they acquired the the James A. and Lottie J. (Congdon) Quick House located at 120 N. Center Ave. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2016.

Scott said James Quick was very active in Gaylord in the late 1800s and early 1900s during what Scott called the “wild west time of Gaylord when logging was big business. He started the Otsego County Bank, was a village trustee and owned a livery.”

“James died in his 50s,” Scott continued. “He built the home in 1900 in the Queen Anne architectural style.”

Eventually, Dr. Charles Saunders, a dentist, purchased the house in 1921. Saunders lived there until his death in 1970. His second wife, Helen, continued to live in the house until her death in 1999.

Scott and Nelson have been renovating the house for several years. They want to rent it out for bridal showers and other small events.

“It can sleep 10-12 people,” Scott said.