WEST MICHIGAN | General Developments

[deja vu]

Holland -

I thought I'd post this on here, since Grand Haven has similar plans to what Holland did with its Energy Park that opened in 2017. The benefits of other small-to-medium-sized cities in West Michigan (and beyond) doing this are obvious, based on the precedent Holland has set. Basically, the $160 million of debt required to build this $240 million generation plant will be paid off within 6 years of its opening, and with customer electric utility rates being reduced 6% in 2018 and another 10% reduction planned for this year. Millions more in revenue have been returned to the city's budget than what was estimated -

Investment in Holland Energy Park paying off for city, residents
Shandra Martinez | The Lakeshore West Michigan
March 21, 2021

Source: The Lakeshore West Michigan | Courtesy Photos

[deja vu]

Middleville -

In addition to projects in Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids, the Michigan Strategic Fund just approved nearly $1 million in community revitalization funding for the construction of "Middleville Main" - a new 3-story, mixed-use building in downtown Middleville (next to Village Hall). The land in the heart of the village has been vacant for for four decades, since a hotel on the property burned down. The $2.8 million project plans to bring 11 apartments and ground floor commercial to the village. When complete, the repurposed industrial building will offer 173 new market-rate apartments, office space, a fitness center, and clubroom. Total capital investments are estimated at $31.2 million -

MSF approves support to strengthen Michigan’s talent pipeline, continue economic recovery with business growth, community revitalization projects
Kathleen Achtenberg | MEDC
March 23, 2021

Source: Wood TV 8 | Courtesy MEDC

[deja vu]

Muskegon -

Not exactly building development, per se, but how cool would it be to volunteer to help restore this 117-year-old steamer? It is an incredible asset to the city, and could be even more so with a proper restoration. Check out the video in the link - it's fascinating if you're into boats or history -

Milwaukee Clipper calls 'All Aboard', volunteers needed to renovate historic passenger steamer
ABC 13 WZZM
March 17, 2021

Source: Mono Ships & Shipwrecks








Source: Urban Milwaukee

[deja vu]

Muskegon -

Opening day is almost here for the new VanDyk Mortgage Convention Center. A virtual ribbon cutting is scheduled for Monday, April 12 at 2:30pm EST on Facebook Live.

[deja vu]

Muskegon -

The ribbon-cutting for the VanDyk Mortgage Convention Center in downtown Muskegon took place Monday. We can officially move this one from "under construction" to "complete"!

Take a look inside Muskegon’s new high-end convention center
Hope Davison | MLive
April 12, 2021

Source: LinkedIn | Bob Lukens - Visit Muskegon


















Source: MLive | Hope Davison

[deja vu]

Muskegon -

A small sign of confidence for the summer travel season, Muskegon County Airport (MKG) is adding a third daily United Airlines Express flight from Muskegon to Chicago, starting June 3, 2021. F3 Airport, a Milwaukee-based company, now manages MKG -

Enhanced Flight Schedule Makes Flying from Muskegon Even Better
Visit Muskegon
April 14, 2021

Source: Visit Muskegon


And here are just a few more images from Monday's ribbon cutting for the convention center -






Source: LinkedIn | Progressive AE

[deja vu]

Spring Lake -

This is a small blip on the development radar, but at $3.5 million, it's worth a nod. The park in question is a very odd little trailer park / campground that the village has owned for over a century -

Spring Lake campaign raising final funds for Tanglefoot Park renovation
Shandra Martinez | The Lakeshore
April 6, 2021

[deja vu]

Muskegon -

Preliminary information has been released for a new mixed-use, downtown development with an integrated 500-space parking ramp. The ~ $25 million project would be built along West Western Avenue, between Third and Fourth streets - near the new convention center. The parking deck portion - estimated at $15 million - could be wholly funded by state & federal transportation dollars. Preliminary drawings indicate a five-story structure, with commercial space and approximately 50 residential units. The development site is owned by Grand Rapids-based Trillium Ventures, which also owns the nearby Amazon apartments -

$15M parking ramp with residential, retail sought for downtown Muskegon
Lynn Moore | MLive
April 20, 2021

Here are some pretty low-res screen shots from a presentation to the commission -






Source: MLive | Integrated Architecture

[deja vu]

More Muskegon news -

This could be pretty transformative for the downtown area around City Hall and the County Hall of Justice. The automobile-centric Terrace Street is a vestige of the old downtown Muskegon Mall, back when road infrastructure was 'driven' towards moving large quantities of suburbanites into and out of downtown quickly and efficiently. This proposal will turn the four-lane, divided boulevard into a two-lane, two-way street with a possible dedicated bike path. Last year, one lane in each direction was converted to angled, on-street parking, as an initial & temporary measure to curtail traffic. This proposal takes it to the next level.

I'm continuously impressed with how fast this small city is implementing positive changes and encouraging growth downtown.

Makeover planned for major downtown Muskegon street
Lynn Moore | MLive
April 14, 2021

The street as it looks today - Justice Complex on the left -


Source: MLive

[deja vu]

Berrien Springs -

Berrien Springs Public Schools - Arts & Athletic Center progress. Roofing, concrete floors, & wall panel installation are ongoing -






Source: LinkedIn | Tony Leininger / CARMI Design Group

[deja vu]

Muskegon -

Update on "The Leonard". It's going up fast, as a result of the precast concrete construction methodology. I'm noticing more and more of this type of construction in our area, and I can only guess that it is related to the rising costs of steel & wood. The project is scheduled to be complete y January 2022.

There's a little teaser at the end of the video, stating that the developer wants to build two more buildings on adjacent vacant lots, to be named "The Dylan" and "The Marley". Presumably these are his children's names? Or perhaps his dogs

• Video Link

[deja vu]

Coldwater -

Branch County Jail & Sheriff's Office progress - it looks like it's rounding the final turn -
















Source: LinkedIn | Byce & Associates, Inc.

[deja vu]

Benton Harbor -

A 4-story, 80-unit waterfront apartment building proposed by Whirlpool Corp. seems to have the city's support. The $22 million project would be built at 170 Riverview Dr. - directly across from the Whirlpool HQ, and it would specifically support Whirlpools goal of increasing diversity on its payroll by offering more housing opportunities in the locale -

Whirlpool proposes apartment development in Benton Harbor
Mark Peterson | WNDU News 16
April 29, 2021

Construction could start as soon as July -

BH Commissioners Signal Support For Apartment Complex, Wall Street Development
WSJM
May 3, 2021

Source: WNDU News 16 | Courtesy Whirlpool Corp.

[deja vu]

Muskegon (Norton Shores) -

New Lake Michigan park in Muskegon County gets final approval of $5M grant
Lynn Moore | MLive
May 10, 2021

Phase 1 - called Dune Harbor Park - will open later this year on the former Nugent Sand site.

[deja vu]

Grand Haven -

Michigan Community Capital's "Robinson Landing" development broke ground earlier this month. The $7.5 million project will add 30 new single-family homes in the city limits, priced between $139,900 to $279,900. Grand Haven Area Community Foundation is supporting the investment with a $1.5 million low-interest loan, and half of the homes will be in the Grand Haven Area Community Land Trust (CLT) program (a home-purchase + long-term land lease program) -

Construction underway on Grand Haven’s newest neighborhood
MCC Press Release
May 17, 2021

Source: MCC

[DetroitSky]

That Whirlpool apartment complex is pretty big news for Benton Harbor!

[deja vu]

Originally Posted by DetroitSky

That Whirlpool apartment complex is pretty big news for Benton Harbor!

While it's not the most inspired design, it is substantial. Here's another one that I've been meaning to post here for Benton Harbor. If both of these took off, it could be quite transformative -

Developers propose 55-unit housing complex, grocery store in downtown Benton Harbor
Pat Moody | Moody on the Market
April 28, 2021

The 3 story, 55-unit supportive housing development would occupy this entire block at Colfax and Wall Streets, and would provide the only full-service grocery store within city limits. The development team has plans to apply to MSHDA for financial support, but not until October.


Source: Moody on the Market

[deja vu]

Dowagiac -

The city celebrated a ribbon cutting on Saturday for the remodeled & expanded Dowagiac District Library (an old Carnegie Library building). The project was a decade+ in the making -

New look: Dowagiac District Library welcomes guests with grand opening ceremony
Max Harden | Leader Publications
May 16, 2021

A few of the photos from the article -










Source: Leader Publications

[deja vu]

Albion -

(Technically Albion is part of the Kalamazoo-Battle Creek-Portage CSA, according to Wikipedia) but since other Albion posts have gone in here, I'll include this one here as well)

Albion College has announced it plans to begin redeveloping the former Washington Gardner High School that it acquired in 2011. The long-term vision has been to transform it into a campus and community destination. It will be remodeled into an integrated arts and wellness center, beginning as soon as this summer. The historic building was constructed in 1928 -

Albion College to Begin $48 Million Redevelopment of Washington Gardner as Body and Soul Center
Albion College
May 11, 2021

Source: Albion College

[deja vu]

Coldwater (Ovid Township) -

Lakeland Elementary School, part of Coldwater Community Schools, opened in December 2020, along Otis Rd, south of town. The 2-story building houses 4th & 5th graders, and replaces an older facility as part of a 2017 bond passage. My post is bit delayed, but the project is significant enough for Coldwater to warrant a mention on here - the new school cost approximately $20 million to build -

EDIT: more photos can be found here -








Source: LinkedIn | Jason Keen