Benton Harbor -

A while back, Whirlpool Corp. wrapped up its new early childcare center (named "The Eddy") on its corporate campus in Benton Harbor. This facility is intended to attract potential staff with younger children to relocate to the area for employment. It recently received a design award from AIA Grand Rapids -

https://www.dropbox.com/s/dx8q331zhe...%201.jpg?raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/s/htg1rz9bzt...%202.JPG?raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/s/ut7qdhxu7o...%203.jpg?raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/s/lt5s9dvz7r...%204.JPG?raw=1
Source: LinkedIn | Abonmarche

https://www.dropbox.com/s/ncet94nu92...%205.JPG?raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/s/0sd57xmnvi...%206.jpg?raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/s/3lvptywjuq...%207.jpg?raw=1
Source: Integrated Architecture

Berrien Springs -

The new Sylvester Stadium at Berrien Springs Public Schools is officially open and looks great. The new, custom gateway signage was just added this past week. Pretty impressive for a rural school district in Southwest Michigan.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/n24v2x1f3t...%201.jpg?raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/s/v49tsgqm0o...%202.jpg?raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/s/2qicx052uz...%203.jpg?raw=1
Source: LinkedIn | CARMI Design Group, Inc.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/mkm21o8m02...%201.jpg?raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/s/35cpn5o289...%202.jpg?raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/s/mkal9z93li...%203.jpg?raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/s/wh8pb402ks...%204.jpg?raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/s/upwug8igmo...%205.jpg?raw=1
Source: LinkedIn | CARMI Design Group, Inc.

Wow, that is an impressive stadium. Much better than what a lot of bigger districts have.

Yeah, the team building is impressively large - it contains public restrooms, locker rooms / team rooms, concessions, storage, press box, and marching band space -

https://www.dropbox.com/s/putenhywsf...Plan.jpg?raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/s/iyc4p73v9b...ring.jpg?raw=1
Source: Berrien Springs Public Schools

Grand Haven -

Formerly known as Jackson Flats, the re-named Peerless Flats (a proposed housing development in downtown Grand Haven) will seek final approvals from the Grand Haven City Council on November 16. At 130+ units & 148,000 + SF, this would be a huge investment in the downtown. The site is near the waterfront, bordered by Jackson, Fulton, 1st, & 2nd Streets. Groundbreaking is scheduled for Spring 2021. The estimated cost is $24.7 million.

According to the above, amenities will include

https://www.dropbox.com/s/je6q3725n4...%201.jpg?raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/s/p3gmllwcej...%202.jpg?raw=1
Source: Second Wave Media | Courtesy Rendering

10-story apartment tower proposed for downtown Muskegon by MSU trustees

https://www.mlive.com/resizer/2yFPZr...EYNFQSMLCU.JPG
How the building sits now.

That's pretty interesting. Of all the possible scenarios for this project, I never anticipated one where it could effectively double in height! Even if they only add 2 or 3 stories, it would play well off of the adjacent Highpoint Flats.

Grand Haven -

Unsurprisingly, Grand Haven City Council unanimously approved three proposals related to advancing the Jackson St. / Peerless Flats development at their Monday meeting.

Muskegon -

Here's a different sort of "development", in Muskegon -

The City is asking the public to vote on their favorites. 4 of the 6 finalists below will be installed next spring, pending funding. I like numbers 1 & 6.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/6415zvvogm...%201.jpg?raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/s/3ay871twxg...%202.jpg?raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/s/lqdol11870...%203.jpg?raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/s/kyqbmocy1v...%204.jpg?raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/s/ls436t5eqq...%205.jpg?raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/s/n0slsk5vq4...%206.jpg?raw=1

Muskegon (Fruitport Township) -

Just another article about the Muskegon County Casino, and its projected economic impact -

Benton Harbor - "The Port of Possibilities" -

ABC 57 has started a series called "Building Up Benton Harbor". The first installment focuses on the Cornerstone Alliance project in the former Farmers and Merchants Building, as well as the City Center Building with Cressy Real Estate. Also included: a big nod to Whirlpool and its contributions. Really nothing in terms of "new news" but we will see what future installments discuss.

Muskegon -

Good news out of Muskegon - "The Leonard" has finally broke ground -

Good to hear!

Muskegon -

Unsurprising news, the new Muskegon Convention Center - which has faced numerous delays from numerous issues - is now projected to be $2 million over budget ($21+ million, vs. the original $19.5 million budget). Perhaps equally unsurprising, the plan to makeup the difference with naming rights. Any guesses?

https://www.dropbox.com/s/hj0jwpp7gm...%201.jpg?raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/s/965mzer67l...%202.jpg?raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/s/x26r8uq6ke...%203.jpg?raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/s/vsyeym2bju...%204.jpg?raw=1
Source: Cory Morse | MLive

Muskegon -

Muskegon development proposals continue strong, with news that Jon Rooks / Parkland Properties is planning a new dry marina and townhomes on Muskegon Lake, near his Shoreline Inn, Lake House Waterfront Grille, Terrace Point Marina, and Terrace Point Landing.

Now, if this happens, it is going to take years, due to the various levels of permits and approvals required at a state and federal level (for example, the dry dock would require a new boat well). But locally at least, it seems to have the full support of the city. The dry marina would occupy much of the existing parking lot for the Shoreline Inn. This city-owned lot would be transferred to Parkland through a quit claim deed and replacement parking would be provided along Terrace Point Drive. This project could also involve the extension of First Street from Terrace Point Drive to Terrace Point Road (the entrance to Shoreline Inn). This would provide a more direct link between all of the development on Terrace Point and downtown. The proposed townhomes would then be built along Terrace Point Drive and this First St. extension.

I think modern-day Muskegon could easily be characterized as the town that Jon Rooks built. In addition to the above, his company also owns HighPoint Flats and the Delta by Marriott Hotel, and they are a partner in the development of the new convention center. Not to mention their donation of the former Masonic Temple for Muskegon CC's downtown campus.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/uvv3ex7ick...Plan.jpg?raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/s/6aau75r3j1...%201.jpg?raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/s/s6yi0q3ved...%202.jpg?raw=1
Source: MLive | Courtesy City of Muskegon

Holland -

While Perrigo works on its plans for a new HQ in downtown GR, construction on its 357,000 SF distribution center in Holland is moving along -


https://www.dropbox.com/s/nia2y1m2ee...ress.jpg?raw=1
Source: Second Wave Media | Courtesy Photo

Berrien County -

Check this out - MDOT posted some pictures on Instagram about a week ago of the progress on the US-31 / I-94 Connector in Berrien County, MI (near Benton Harbor). The project more than four decades in the making will extend US-31 from E. Napier Avenue to I-94 (& more directly to I-196 and downtown Benton Harbor's business loop) -

https://www.dropbox.com/s/fh4x45tmmd...gram.jpg?raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/s/uy9g8ttfu0...gram.jpg?raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/s/jeun4lgumi...gram.jpg?raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/s/tjg8h73mi7...gram.jpg?raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/s/fur7rol8iy...gram.jpg?raw=1

Holland -

This article is further proof that Hudsonville really does have some of the best ice cream around. And it sounds like they gearing up to have a much bigger impact -

https://www.dropbox.com/s/rlrlx4a612...%201.jpg?raw=1

https://www.dropbox.com/s/vbx23sj9ko...%202.jpg?raw=1
Source: https://www.secondwavemedia.com/lake...and+more%c2%a0

Muskegon -

Muskegon has had a pretty notable development year even with COVID-19. If it keeps this up, it might deserve its own dedicated thread! MLive did an exclusive on all the development happening now and planned for 2021. The article is paywalled - but here are the extracted highlights -

The Leonard

After many delays, this 6-story, 51,000+ SF mixed-use development broke ground this Fall at the corner of Western Avenue and Second Street in downtown. It will add 18 new apartment units. The developer is Corey Leonard / Sweetwater Development.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/ivmp2nj53h...nard.jpg?raw=1
Source: MLive

Ten21

This three-story, 75-unit apartment complex with some commercial space, broke ground in 2020 at 1021 Jefferson St. near the edge of downtown. It will provide low-income & moderate-income housing. It is a former city-owned surface lot. General Capital Group of Milwaukee, Wisconsin is the developer.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/7t618qqs5t...en21.jpg?raw=1
Source: MLive

City-Wide Infill Housing Project

Muskegon set a goal to construct 240 new infill homes throughout the city in the next few years. Here's two of them under construction at 9th & Muskegon. Dave Dusendang is one of the builders contracted with the city. His company built about 25 homes this year and expects to build about 100 more in the next few years.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/cf48a87d3z...sing.jpg?raw=1
Source: MLive

An earlier photo from November, of 13 homes along W. Webster Ave. between 8th & 9th Streets -

https://www.dropbox.com/s/46rirv0que...sing.jpg?raw=1
Source: MLive | Courtesy Dave Dusendang

Hartshorn Village Condominiums

Also broken ground in 2020, this 55-unit condominium project, at West Western Ave. and Division Street, is being developed by DeHaan Homes and Smith Equities.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/g1hl67tmw5...iums.jpg?raw=1
Source: MLive

Lakeside Business District Developments

Lots of new businesses have been trying to establish some roots here in this trying year - the Pierogi Shack, Lake Dog Coney Island, Wonderland Distilling Company, and Hey Sugar Cotton Candy.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/u462zbnis5...0Co..jpg?raw=1

The Deck Expansion

This successful each restaurant began a significant expansion this Fall of its outdoor seating areas in anticipation of 2021. The work will add two outside bars, a beer garden snack bar with deck seating area above it, an enlarged outdoor music area, and a gear shop.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/ayqr12wdfg...sion.jpg?raw=1
Source: MLive

A Growing Marijuana Industry

Redbud Roots and Timber Cannabis and both opened in 2020 within a few blocks of each other along West Laketon Ave. There were already two provisioning centers in opertion, and apparently officials have approved between 25 and 30 additional requests for new marijuana businesses in the city's overlay district! Hmmmm... that sounds like a lot.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/ugsydnx6gy...oots.jpg?raw=1
Source: MLive

Muskegon -

Another new proposal for downtown Muskegon - this, a 4-story, affordable senior housing development by Samaritas. It would be built at 4 W. Webster Ave. on the NE end of downtown. I like the 4 story infill, but I'm not digging the design at all. Even forgiving the low render quality, the metal panel materials look cold and cheap. There appears to be brick at the first floor - hooray... A big, bland box.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/awrvsfnabl...sing.jpg?raw=1
Source: MLive | Courtesy Samaritas