WMCAT announces new HQ on Grand Rapids’ West Side; $7.5 million capital raise

WMCAT announces new HQ on Grand Rapids’ West Side; $7.5 million capital raise

GRAND RAPIDS — Nonprofit education organization West Michigan Center for Arts + Technology (WMCAT) today announced a plan to move its headquarters to the emerging Bridge Street corridor.

The organization — currently located at 98 East Fulton Street in downtown Grand Rapids — will double its space by taking about 22,000 square feet of a planned four-story building at the northeast corner of First Street and Seward Avenue, according to a statement.

The building will be part of the Rockford Construction Company Inc.-led redevelopment project of the square block encompassing Bridge and First Streets, and Seward and Stocking Avenues.

Rockford Construction will serve as developer and general contractor for the proposed building and construction could commence by next summer, according to a spokesperson.

No other tenants have been announced for the project.

Other plans for the site include a Meijer Inc. grocery store, residential and commercial uses, as MiBiz previously reported.

WMCAT’s announcement of a new headquarters also came at the same time that the organization said they’ve raised $6.5 million in a total $7.5 million capital campaign called “Leave Your Mark.”

The campaign is chaired by Hank Meijer, Doug DeVos of Amway Inc. and Jim Hackett, former CEO of Steelcase Inc.

“We started this campaign early this year with the goal of securing a new, expanded space for WMCAT from where we could support more adults and teens on their journeys to income security” Daniel Williams, executive director of WMCAT, said in a statement. “I am so humbled by the incredible support our community has already given us. I look forward to engaging more friends and donors in raising the final $1 million.”