Developers pitch ambitious 375-unit housing project at former WWII parachute factory
GRAND RAPIDS — A group of metro Detroit developers is eyeing a massive West Michigan industrial site that has for years resisted new construction.
Arena board OK’s new agreement to examine amphitheater-adjacent properties; venue design nears completion
GRAND RAPIDS — The Grand Rapids-Kent County Convention/Arena Authority has authorized an agreement with a private sector partner to examine development opportunities on several properties near a proposed riverfront amphitheater.
GR auto service center expanding with proceeds from building sale to Corewell Health
GRAND RAPIDS — A second Grand Rapids business owner is investing the proceeds from the sale of its Monroe North property to Corewell Health for further expansion.
‘We need to be here’: Tier 1 auto supplier Gentex to open production facility in GR
GRAND RAPIDS — Ottawa County’s largest employer is opening a satellite production facility on Grand Rapids’ south side in hopes of better attracting talent from the city and delivering economic benefits to a historically disadvantaged neighborhood.
Sparta kicks off renewed effort to revitalize long-vacant downtown opera house
SPARTA — A new task force organized by Sparta’s Downtown Development Authority is working to revitalize the historic Sparta Opera House, which has long sat vacant in the village’s downtown district.
Developer plans 2-story, mixed-use project on Wealthy Street where historic building burned down
GRAND RAPIDS — A local development firm plans to build a two-story, mixed-use project on a vacant lot in Grand Rapids’ East Hills neighborhood where a historic structure burned down last year.
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MiBiz on WOOD-TV8: Developer plans $220M project at former Shaw Walker Furniture building in Muskegon
Developer Jon Rooks’ Parkland Properties has closed on the purchase of a large former furniture factory in Muskegon, and plans a $220 million mixed-use investment in the site.
BETTING ON MUSKEGON: Parkland Properties plans ‘flagship’ project at Watermark Center
MUSKEGON — Parkland Properties President Jon Rooks felt a sense of obligation to purchase the former Shaw Walker Furniture Co. building in Muskegon, where the company now plans a $220 million redevelopment.
Lambert & Co. founder acquires downtown GR building for $3M to support growth
GRAND RAPIDS — The founder of public relations and investor relations firm Lambert & Co. has acquired a downtown Grand Rapids building to accommodate growth as well as the formation of a tech and marketing hub.
Fishbeck boosts environmental practice in deal for SW Michigan-based Envirologic
CASCADE TWP. — Architecture and engineering firm Fishbeck is growing its environmental practice with the acquisition of Southwest Michigan’s Envirologic Technologies Inc.
Homeowner assistance toolbox to help expand housing options in Charlevoix County
CHARLEVOIX — Charlevoix County is exploring accessory dwelling units as a pathway to expand housing options, and will offer homeowners a step-by-step guide to consider creating such units on their property.
Mixed-use building, adjacent properties in GR’s Monroe North district sell for $22.6M
GRAND RAPIDS — A large mixed-use development in Grand Rapids’ active Monroe North business district, along with an adjacent parcel and nearby parking lot open for future development, sold for $22.6 million at the end of 2022.
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6 West Michigan affordable housing projects receive $6.1M in tax credits
Housing projects in Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Traverse City, Spring Lake and Three Rivers received nearly $6.1 million in the latest round of Low Income Housing Tax Credits administered by the state.
Sip Shine tasting room, restaurant, rooftop bar OK’d for Grand Rapids’ west side
GRAND RAPIDS — Moonshine and canned cocktail marketer Sip Shine LLC plans to bring a new nightlife experience to Grand Rapids’ west side this spring at the former Harmony Hall building.
Whitecaps announce 5-year LMCU Ballpark modernization project
COMSTOCK PARK — West Michigan Whitecaps executives have announced a five-year, multi-phase plan to upgrade their home facilities at LMCU Ballpark.
Dwelling Place set to break ground on 42-unit community land trust housing project
GRAND RAPIDS — Nonprofit housing developer Dwelling Place plans to break ground this spring on a years-long project to build 42 homes in Grand Rapids’ Garfield Park Neighborhood.
GR developer plans 10-story, riverside mixed-use project with 140 residential units
GRAND RAPIDS — A 10-story, mixed-use building with 140 residential units would replace two mostly vacant office buildings along the Grand River as part of a developer’s plan to add housing and public river access to a former industrial part of the city.
Developer seeks to cut hundreds of housing units from original Sligh building redevelopment plan
GRAND RAPIDS — The Detroit-based company proposing a massive redevelopment of the former Sligh Furniture factory in Grand Rapids wants to cut more than 300 housing units from the original proposal and add a self-storage component, among other changes.
CWD buys Creston neighborhood eatery, taps Essence Restaurant Group to take over Lucy’s cafe
GRAND RAPIDS — Restaurant operator Essence Restaurant Group LLC, which owns The Green Well, Bistro Bella Vita and Grove in Grand Rapids, is now taking over Lucy’s, a breakfast, brunch and coffee bar concept in the Creston neighborhood.
Multifamily investment firm buys multiple Calvin Seminary student housing buildings for $5.6M
GRAND RAPIDS — Multifamily investment and property management firm Trillium Investments LLC recently purchased 62 student housing units from Calvin Theological Seminary for $5.6 million.
Urban office outlook could shift as companies weigh lease renewals in 2023
Commercial real estate executives largely share the view that more answers about the future of the West Michigan office market will emerge in the next year or two as more office leases come up for renewal.
Housing, industrial segments buoy West Michigan construction outlook for 2023
Despite a confluence of factors that could challenge project timelines and pro formas, architecture and construction industry insiders remain confident that the fundamentals of the market will continue to drive new activity into the new year.
West Mich. housing organizations awarded $4.2M from state Missing Middle Housing Program
Four West Michigan housing nonprofits will receive $4.2 million in state grant funding to construct or upgrade 71 homes and rental units.
Whitmer signs 4-bill housing package into law
LANSING — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has signed into law a bipartisan four-bill package that expands incentives to build more affordable housing across the state.
GR planning commission approves parking waiver for 72-unit Creston apartment project
GRAND RAPIDS — A southeast Michigan-based developer has secured a key parking waiver for a 72-unit mixed-use housing project that could break ground next spring in Grand Rapids’ Creston neighborhood.
GR examines sale of 1-acre property near amphitheater site
GRAND RAPIDS — City officials are considering selling a 1-acre property near the site of a proposed riverfront amphitheater, with hopes of potentially repurposing the parking lot with housing.
240-unit workforce housing project to break ground on GR’s west side
GRAND RAPIDS — A New York City-based developer is set to break ground this month on a 240-unit, $51.5 million multifamily housing development along Lake Michigan Drive.
Grand Rapids OKs incentives for 4 mixed-use developments totaling 200 housing units
GRAND RAPIDS — Grand Rapids city commissioners have approved tax incentives for four mixed-use projects that would add 200 housing units across the city.
West Michigan Construction Institute plans $3M expansion
GRAND RAPIDS — The West Michigan Construction Institute will facilitate more specialized trades training programs as part of a $3 million second-phase expansion.
YEAR IN REVIEW: 2022 West Michigan construction projects
Despite a number of market challenges, construction companies have kicked off myriad multifamily and industrial projects this year, fueled by West Michigan’s housing shortage and the high demand for quality manufacturing space.