[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6301905,"mediaKeyId","2483249-f619ae78ab0b28530012d5f2e0f9b5b7","parentId",2483249,"title","Members urge city commission to clarify land bank governance; March 11 commission discussion scheduled","audioSeconds",1005,"startMs",1465000,"endMs",2470000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2483249-f619ae78ab0b28530012d5f2e0f9b5b7&start=1465&end=2470","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2483249-f619ae78ab0b28530012d5f2e0f9b5b7/thumbnail_1465000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6301905/Grand-Rapids-City/Kent-County/Michigan/Members-urge-city-commission-to-clarify-land-bank-governance-March-11-commission-discussion-scheduled","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6301905-198dea83bc3f6942ad36113500c3c754/orig.mp4?Expires=1775223961&Signature=fzh8KUKb-niOOEUG-u7pojBVPUK6ytEf4DLNeHQldgyglZ0PQSIr2ieKbbWRGkajCfVqQxffl~Kdj0X-lUQaMQABbU0fycopOY5Eq-HkE-w3DWdSnReiabo9VP-xwb17ELo5CIIkFdHTWBcDPoEV-66eE5~OFb6g7Kn5fVa4iBkty3qoJnABtyGC18aBebyyeDhg8ZFb5D8171XsUPTACfzWJqjREZowKxpWGOsErxnBbh7jokI8TybZSmekkQNbl2LxPFAcTKgrVYZ-bVfFSv0upOuNpmVPukxhDalt1~c7cCCA2WDcJ~vrwpqXB97z5n9fHXRSPdNNHvOLaHnuZw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","The City of Grand Rapids","date","2025-02-26T00:00:00Z","article","Members of the Brownfield Redevelopment Authority spent a sizable portion of the meeting reviewing the status of the city's newly established land bank and urging the full city commission to clarify governance and funding.

Staff and commissioners described three broad governance options: keep land bank functions with the Brownfield authority, create a separate mayor-appointed board (five members as described in the bylaws), or form a hybrid arrangement with city staff support. Sarah, a city economic development staff member, said the short-term focus has been administrative (inventorying properties, listing them and preparing them for disposition) while staff completes playbook items developed last year.

Commissioner Esozzi (remarks summarized) stressed that the Brownfield authority and its subcommittee did the work requested and that the authority should be recognized for the progress made. Other commissioners suggested a separate board could broaden expertise and relieve the authority of additional duties so it could focus on Brownfield work.

Budgetary issues and timing were repeatedly raised. Deputy City Manager Kate Barrons (as cited by staff) and other commissioners said decisions about governance have budget implications that should be folded into the next fiscal planning cycle; staff also noted federal- and state-level funding uncertainties affect the timeline.

Staff said the city commission will hold a discussion on the land bank and related governance options at its meeting on Tuesday, March 11, after which a formal vote or next steps would follow. Several board members requested that the March 11 briefing include representatives from the land bank subcommittee and staff who have been doing the day-to-day work so commissioners have the current-state perspective.

Board members also noted ongoing benchmarking and research; staff credited Doug Booth for comparative work on land bank governance in other Michigan jurisdictions. No formal action was taken by the authority at this meeting; members agreed to continue administrative and implementation tasks while the commission decides governance and funding.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Brownfield Redevelopment Authority (BRA) - February 26, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Board members and staff discussed whether a nascent land bank should remain under the Brownfield authority or become a separate body. Commissioners asked for a March 11 city commission discussion to decide governance, funding and next steps.","taxTitle","Grand Rapids City, Kent County, Michigan","taxId",3704,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6301910,"Consultant outlines history and National Register nomination for Auburn Hills neighborhood",2060,900000,2960000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2483249-f619ae78ab0b28530012d5f2e0f9b5b7&start=900&end=2960","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2483249-f619ae78ab0b28530012d5f2e0f9b5b7/thumbnail_900000.jpg","/articles/6301910/Grand-Rapids-City/Kent-County/Michigan/Consultant-outlines-history-and-National-Register-nomination-for-Auburn-Hills-neighborhood","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6301910-e5a50364f5257b13fdfd514c290316aa/orig.mp4?Expires=1775223961&Signature=iNcbgi3X-GcgkI6p-B3MZSTuMfcVM6O246TM~sZn6ZKS6~MY75QCBNXEZlD2oNMlM6ljMHWPnWHbGhgy0GUHj~GwMNJp3JlpV-ZsYnW2sAuBxuv8v3uCPYbE0PQAH~m5VaMzjOXly-Zd01D8GsCDFBWbxDQuD9lYiENkVTXXc7r-BWpgFzk1ZZyHMOosAVHy3MrwXYdKrOdXpnF4MyYs25pzluohXQDyMXgqTs-F-09MuzPLzOk8z5w~oDDKVDda6GlU~P45ySRToYPVhySl~qP8BE11TMWpZm7aZrfD4YDWSvsXDx0RkQmlcbjxPqWa4yL4LMjOi22wb4~goqR-9w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Jen Metz of Past Perfect presented the history and ongoing survey work for the Auburn Hills neighborhood, describing a multiyear effort to compile documentary research, oral histories and a National Register nomination.

Metz said the neighborhood — originally called Fuller Suite and developed beginning in 1962 — was organized by four Black professionals: J.E. Adams, Dr. Julius Franks, Joseph Lee and Samuel Triplett. She said residents and descendants are participating in the research and that the team is preparing a draft National Register of Historic Places nomination and historical marker text.

Metz told the board she and neighbors had collected newspapers, assessor photographs, personal papers and oral histories. She said the project team held a public meeting and had distributed flyers; turnout included current residents, descendants and others with ties to the neighborhood.

Metz quoted longtime resident Leona Spencer’s recollection of house-hunting in the era of restrictive practices: \"We looked on the Southeast Side, but they wouldn't show us anything. We wanted to raise our family in a nice home with a yard and a pool,\" Metz said, attributing the line to Spencer.

Metz described the planned deliverables as a National Register nomination, an approved historical marker and a public outreach program including oral-history recordings. She said the National Register listing does not impose restrictions on private property owners but will document the neighborhood's history in state and federal records.

Board members and attendees praised the work and asked about resident engagement; Metz said she had distributed flyers, maintained a Facebook group, and planned oral-history sessions at the Wealthy Theatre. One attendee who identified themself as CEO of the West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce encouraged connecting the history to local economic contributions and offered to help publicize the work.

Metz said some project costs (for example, the marker) were not included in the initial grant budget but that the team had potential funding sources identified and would pursue them.","A consultant presented a multi-year effort to document Auburn Hills — a 1960s neighborhood developed by four Black professionals — and said the team is preparing a National Register nomination, oral histories and a historical marker.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6301915,"Brownfield authority approves Act 381 work plan and reimbursement agreement for West Michigan Hispanic Chamber project",122,700000,822000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2483249-f619ae78ab0b28530012d5f2e0f9b5b7&start=700&end=822","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2483249-f619ae78ab0b28530012d5f2e0f9b5b7/thumbnail_700000.jpg","/articles/6301915/Grand-Rapids-City/Kent-County/Michigan/Brownfield-authority-approves-Act-381-work-plan-and-reimbursement-agreement-for-West-Michigan-Hispanic-Chamber-project","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6301915-47cfa19304e0af2c488c0363db7190f3/orig.mp4?Expires=1775223961&Signature=GXttE14zlB2IqDVFSAEwIiUSf0XITyLjFZp0WxIOtg2FmFijj5QsXqnTZg8DGh92bvFfGS0mzU7pJ7u1OgzBmDTE-UCHzAf-6dF0az45kxqGqA8O8Z2Vb45-w9GhT2rBeYuoiTpRErCrB4aET6Y83xW6M6nBEn9ecLQjl0~tN0hqzrOhGNBixL2voFITIY59ZXkOzcJm1clv66R9UW-IxBac4FOHiw3NnBEkHeBu7i-BgX~nX7SjQ2HdE7OjpE6XaoWrNWi~I2A5ckMBHjHaW9RcEWl1ewrY6HknVhkU3IYCgYGhwfwBhRfI2yI~HFKTEyXt9MAxHzutCEkuoqG7iA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Grand Rapids Brownfield Redevelopment Authority on Wednesday approved a resolution authorizing an Act 381 work plan and a development and reimbursement agreement for the West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce redevelopment at 1101 Godfrey Ave. SW, Unit No. 2.

Staff said the development team is requesting reimbursement from the authority of up to $513,450 for Brownfield-eligible activities, including demolition, asbestos abatement, site preparation and public infrastructure improvements. The reimbursement would be paid from future tax increment revenue over a 30-year period, with the last five years of the increment reserved to fund the local Brownfield revolving fund.

\"The development team is requesting reimbursement from the BRA of up to $513,450 for Brownfield eligible activities,\" said Mackenzie, a city staff member presenting the item. Mackenzie described the project as creating anchored gathering and event space on the Godfrey Corridor.

The presenter noted the project previously received a $200,000 emerging-developer grant from the Local Brownfield Revolving Fund (LBRF) and that the Brownfield Redevelopment Authority had recommended Brownfield plan amendments. Mackenzie also said the city commission held a public hearing on the Brownfield plan amendment on Feb. 11 and that the committee of the whole gave final approval on Feb. 25.

A voice vote approved the resolution. Chairperson Edwards called for the ayes and then said, \"Motion carries,\" after no opposition was voiced.

Next steps, staff said, include seeking state-level support through the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and securing MSF board approvals where required.

No amendments were offered during the board discussion. One board member asked that the minutes reflect that Guillermo had stepped out because of a previously noted conflict of interest; the chair agreed to include that notation.","The board voted to approve an Act 381 work plan and authorize a development and reimbursement agreement that would allow up to $513,450 in Brownfield-eligible reimbursements over 30 years for a redevelopment at 1101 Godfrey Ave SW, Unit 2.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Members urge city commission to clarify land bank governance; March 11 commission discussion scheduled

Consultant outlines history and National Register nomination for Auburn Hills neighborhood

Brownfield authority approves Act 381 work plan and reimbursement agreement for West Michigan Hispanic Chamber project