GVSU buys Ferris Coffee operations building, makes other real estate deals

GRAND RAPIDS — Grand Valley State University has acquired the 63,000-square-foot operations facility from Ferris Coffee & Nut Co. on the west side of Grand Rapids.

The $6.5 million acquisition allows the university to expand its Padnos College of Engineering, according to a statement.

“Enrollment growth in engineering has been explosive, more than doubling in the last 10 years,” Dean Paul Plotkowski said in a statement. “This facility is move-in ready and perfectly located near our downtown campus, on a bus line and near where our students live. … This is a game changer for us in terms of opening up potential to be innovative while providing an exceptional talent pipeline to employers.”

It’s expected that Ferris Coffee’s onsite retail store at 227 Winter Ave. NW will remain open, according to the statement. Grand Valley plans to move into the newly acquired building next summer.

Additionally, the university’s Board of Trustees approved the acquisition of 4.8 acres of land in Walker for $1.6 million. The land will serve as approximately 400 parking spaces for commuters between GVSU’s downtown Grand Rapids and Allendale campuses.

Trustees also approved the sale of a condominium unit GVSU had owned since 1987 that previously housed alumni and other visitors. The condo was no longer needed because of the construction of a nearby hotel.

A sale price for the condo was not provided.