
Kate Carlson
Staff Writer, covers real estate and development and small businesses
Twitter: @BizCarlson
Email: [email protected]
Colliers, Advantage Commercial Real Estate resolve breach of contract, other claims involving staffers
Former executives at Colliers International’s West Michigan office that left the real estate group in January 2021 to start their own firm breached non-solicitation obligations in the process, according to an arbitration resolution announced this week.
Walker officials to consider 250-unit apartment project at former golf course
WALKER — An Illinois developer is seeking final site plan approval for a 250-unit apartment complex at the former Lincoln Country Club that would greenlight the first phase of what’s been a multi-year process stalled by neighborhood concerns and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Hundreds protest in downtown GR after footage released of resident shot, killed by police
GRAND RAPIDS — Several hundred protesters gathered in downtown Grand Rapids Wednesday calling for justice for the family of Patrick Lyoya, a 26-year-old Black man who was recently shot and killed by a Grand Rapids Police officer during a traffic stop.
Developer planning massive Sligh factory housing project requesting extension
GRAND RAPIDS — Sturgeon Bay Partners is seeking an extension involving plans to redevelop the former Sligh Furniture Co. factory in Grand Rapids into a 753-unit apartment project.
Couple expands business with second storefront in hopes of lifting downtown GR retail scene
GRAND RAPIDS — A West Michigan couple who launched their business through online platform Etsy in 2014 is now preparing to open their second brick-and-mortar retail store in downtown Grand Rapids.
Dwelling Place plans 46-unit downtown Holland affordable housing project
HOLLAND — Nonprofit housing organization Dwelling Place is partnering with First United Methodist Church and Hope Church to develop a 46-unit, affordable apartment development in downtown Holland.
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$1.2M in Fannie Mae settlement funds set for GR, Muskegon housing
The Fair Housing Center of West Michigan is one of 20 housing organizations across the country preparing to distribute funds from a landmark $53 million settlement that the National Fair Housing Alliance reached with Fannie Mae.
Talent competition places DEI under closer scrutiny
Diversity, equity and inclusion has emerged as an “important pressure point” in the past two years as companies compete for talent and regional economic development organizations seek to attract and retain industries, consultants and business advocates say.
Convention/Arena Authority considers expanding role with two more venues
GRAND RAPIDS — The public authority that administers three major downtown Grand Rapids venues could expand its portfolio in the coming years with a new riverfront amphitheater and a popular downtown music venue.
GRAND RAPIDS ‘LINCHPIN’: Modeled off Van Andel Arena, $116 million amphitheater project already attracting national developers’ attention
GRAND RAPIDS — Local entertainment and development officials say a planned $116 million outdoor amphitheater is modeled off the success of Van Andel Arena and could serve as an even stronger catalyst for further downtown development.
Tool and die, aviation companies plan Southwest Michigan expansions
Michigan economic development officials have approved performance-based grants for two companies planning $34 million in combined investments to create 77 jobs in Battle Creek and Benton Harbor Township.
Grand River Greenway project lands $55M in state infrastructure plan
GRAND RAPIDS — Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. will receive $55 million to connect trails along the Grand River as part of a $4.7 billion infrastructure plan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed today.
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Convention/Arena Authority approves $24.3M amphitheater land purchase; further study on managing downtown venue
GRAND RAPIDS — The Grand Rapids-Kent County Convention/Arena Authority has approved plans to purchase Grand River waterfront property to develop an amphitheater and also will further consider leasing and operating GLC Live at 20 Monroe.
Convention/Arena Authority seeks to lease, operate GLC Live at 20 Monroe venue
GRAND RAPIDS — The public authority that operates Van Andel Arena, DeVos Place and DeVos Performance Hall could add GLC Live at 20 Monroe to its portfolio of venues.
GR City Commission to vote on 201 Market sale to allow waterfront amphitheater
GRAND RAPIDS — The Grand Rapids City Commission is set to vote on selling downtown waterfront property to make way for an outdoor amphitheater.
The 250 Project seeks to help minority entrepreneurs scale up companies
Beukema eyes opportunity in third-party hotel management
Peter Beukema saw an opportunity during the pandemic to start a new role in the hospitality industry, stepping down as CEO of Suburban Inns late last year. He is still one of the owners of the family-owned business, but he has formed his own third-party hotel management company called 6PM Hospitality Partners LLC.
Leisure, sports travel fuel hotel occupancy uptick after pandemic decline
Hospitality executives see positive signs of leisure travel activity increasing across West Michigan, though corporate travel still lags pre-pandemic levels.
Restaurants embrace e-commerce as consumer habits permanently shift
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, none of Davide Uccello’s four West Michigan restaurants offered an online ordering option. Today, at least half of his restaurant’s takeout and delivery orders are placed online.
GR neighborhood pushes for less pollution, truck traffic from US-131
GRAND RAPIDS — Synia Jordan is unimpressed with a Michigan Department of Transportation online survey that’s gathering public feedback about potentially changing US-131 between 28th Street and Wealthy Street.
GVSU seeks funding for planned tech, innovation center in downtown GR
GRAND RAPIDS — Grand Valley State University plans to add a new learning space at its downtown Grand Rapids campus that will serve as an intersection of business and technology education for community members and students.
MSF approves $14M in brownfield incentives for Spectrum Health; amends programs to open accessibility
The Michigan Strategic Fund has approved a brownfield plan totaling $14 million in state tax capture for Spectrum Health’s Center for Transformation and Innovation that is under construction in Grand Rapids.
HUD announces $2.6B in continued, new funding for homeless housing programs
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has announced $2.6 billion in Continuum of Care funding for roughly 7,000 housing and service programs addressing homelessness across the country.
GRAAMA plans move to larger Grand Rapids location
GRAND RAPIDS — The Grand Rapids African American Museum and Archives plans to relocate to an 18,000-square-foot, three-story space in Grand Rapids’ Heartside neighborhood, which would be a major expansion for the nonprofit organization.
$40M grant program would help downtowns recover from remote work shift
As companies take varied approaches to in-person and remote work, commercial real estate experts generally agree that office square footage needs will likely shrink with the adoption of more hybrid workspaces.
Acrisure plans 230 new hires, need for second downtown GR building still unclear
GRAND RAPIDS — Acrisure LLC opened its new $33 million office in downtown Grand Rapids in August 2021, and expects it will need more space by the end of this year as the company grows its workforce.
West Michigan office forecasts vary as quality spaces remain in demand
Commercial real estate experts have struggled to predict the future of the office market since the COVID-19 pandemic started, though they expect demand for high-quality office spaces to remain strong.
Brownfield program changes to make ‘transformative’ tool more accessible
State lawmakers recently amended a rarely used tax incentive tool for large-scale redevelopments of contaminated property to make it more accessible to developers.
‘LONG TIME COMING’: Franklin Partners purchases sprawling Site 36 in Wyoming for future manufacturers
WYOMING — Franklin Partners LLC purchased the sprawling former General Motors stamping plant in Wyoming known as Site 36 late last month for $5.25 million and plans a new industrial development on the property for multiple manufacturers.
‘LONG TIME COMING’: Franklin Partners purchases 74-acre Site 36 in Wyoming for future industrial redevelopment
WYOMING — Franklin Partners LLC has purchased the sprawling former General Motors stamping plant in Wyoming known as Site 36 for $5.25 million and plans to build a new industrial development on the property.