[{"_1":2,"_98":-5,"_99":-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",[32,74,86],{"_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":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6503782,"mediaKeyId","5454929-b2ebd223a3c59afb57b1c9b3f60a8838","parentId",5454929,"title","Grand Rapids Land Bank authorizes towing contract, announces board transition and inventory updates","audioSeconds",288,"startMs",3722000,"endMs",4010000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5454929-b2ebd223a3c59afb57b1c9b3f60a8838&start=3722&end=4010","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5454929-b2ebd223a3c59afb57b1c9b3f60a8838/thumbnail_3722000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6503782/Grand-Rapids-City/Kent-County/Michigan/Grand-Rapids-Land-Bank-authorizes-towing-contract-announces-board-transition-and-inventory-updates","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6503782-9c50ba48ecec1bc9f43b2f334b26aeb4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771150946&Signature=A9Q6D4v-RfYo7g6RPRSMaxokl85c-giSzE3Lp2yzO0iTrs0UD7wvQCRUn1EmWJcpC9hCs8aUEeamsvbtdiNnA3lhyvdcI9rPyiKnry6OboJzWhk5fAakUxSdOEG-wLQsDEfU-WJ2Rj0ZgLStW~3zTeUgp5~0FzDLg3pMOSykk6CszSpBYYAleHQOMIP8l7YcTfqo1-8AKF6O48dfh38Z5NyS0X9~xj4h7WnO5gFPZBKek9UswFUnnwV02V45lJF7JEDbfcvJmCUw1~sL54FJBv4Ve8Yszf4Z6Jz-ubPojWkXmPnUhBrHv3-dzB~x2XGVtWv3jSxZ1JFAa2gtiRfCyg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-07-22T19:39:45Z","article","The Grand Rapids Land Bank Authority approved a contract with a private towing service to remove abandoned and illegally parked vehicles from land-bank lots. Staff said the towing fees will be charged to vehicle owners; the land bank will pay only for required signage under Michigan law. Staff explained the contract fills an operational gap because property-maintenance contractors lack authority to remove vehicles on their own.

Staff's presentation and Q&A: Land bank staff described recent increases in dumping and abandoned vehicles on land-bank lots over the summer and said the contract is intended to allow prompt removal to avoid long-term liability and ongoing maintenance issues. A board member asked what happens if an abandoned vehicle is never claimed; staff said the vehicle would remain on the tow company's lot and could ultimately be auctioned per the tow company's usual procedures (and that that outcome is out of the land bank's control).

Board transition and administration: Staff said a memo and resolution to remove the current authority and appoint a new board will go to city commission the following week. The staff presentation noted the new authority will not have its own dedicated fiscal staff and that the city expects to continue administering land-bank functions; staff said an intergovernmental agreement amendment is pending and was expected to be filed with Kent County.

Property-sales update: Staff said the land bank has seven active listing periods (one closing Friday), three active applications nearing options and 10 properties in evaluation; available lots have declined, and staff signaled continued activity in the coming months.

Vote and next steps: The towing contract motion carried by voice vote. Staff said administrative transition steps and property disposals will continue under city administration pending the formal commission action.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Brownfield Redevelopment Authority (BRA) - July 23, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Land Bank approved a towing contract to allow removal of abandoned vehicles from land-bank properties, discussed an imminent board transition and reported active property listings and sales activity.","taxTitle","Grand Rapids City, Kent County, Michigan","taxId",3704,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6503787,"EDC authorizes inducement resolution for Beacon Hill Eastgate bond financing; staff outlines steps and risks",302,2995000,3297000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5454929-b2ebd223a3c59afb57b1c9b3f60a8838&start=2995&end=3297","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5454929-b2ebd223a3c59afb57b1c9b3f60a8838/thumbnail_2995000.jpg","/articles/6503787/Grand-Rapids-City/Kent-County/Michigan/EDC-authorizes-inducement-resolution-for-Beacon-Hill-Eastgate-bond-financing-staff-outlines-steps-and-risks","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6503787-d600f17fee0dab1b6b9c22bdfc00d504/orig.mp4?Expires=1771150946&Signature=hvhhZTEnmPLCKW6mu4QPbuP9A9Z44-NF3qRL8QbOCVGj08Xr-lNRrP8fRA7SVi07N5pF0bRqJWz3FLbI6q4sVZIto3TZc3S~o-GXkBKLTOprvTOfsjZx2Qc8zWfXN11HFEuKAAN0lwXDy5IgRXFjHyKTZwTsWyZ7YVVLp4ai-2sElPiYElHRgCvkw4A0glI0Ns~ChlbPGtLOKiSqWmkDCJOGSaqbs6MmeLlM3ZcEKWBNhaaSN0MlvUtBeFz1NM88wGSWuDHwwO7FYw0AMyb2xTM4E1HT0SSVBje7n6VameLt~ZchCkJb5Io6uHLRhujzZRqKeu8y5mdROx-7G8t8Ag__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Grand Rapids Economic Development Corporation unanimously approved an inducement and intent resolution to support tax-exempt revenue bond financing for the Beacon Hill at Eastgate redevelopment project, a large senior-living campus redevelopment that staff described as a multi-phase project to renovate and expand independent living, assisted living and memory-care units.

Staff described the inducement as an initial step that does not obligate the city or the EDC financially and emphasized the statutory and procedural requirements for conduit bond issuance. Jessica Wood (EDC counsel/staff) told the board the EDC would act as a conduit issuer under Michigan law and that, unlike borrowing through the Michigan Strategic Fund, the EDC's authorizing statute requires compliance with prevailing-wage rules for projects using EDC conduit issuance (a material cost consideration). She also said conduit issuance through the EDC does not appear on the city's balance sheet and will not affect the city's credit rating because the facility's revenues will be pledged to repay the debt.

Project and financing details: Staff said the Beacon Hill redevelopment covers an 8-acre campus and will renovate 14 high-acuity assisted-living units and 15 memory-care units, and will add new structures with roughly 101 independent-living apartments and 48 assisted-living residences. Staff listed an estimated project cost of about $136,000,000 and presented a bond inducement ceiling of up to $190,000,000 to provide flexibility for interest-rate and cost fluctuations. Staff said the project has returned to the EDC previously and that several additional procedural steps remain: city commission appointment of special directors (two residents of the facility) to the EDC for the matter, a project-plan designation, a public hearing and the TEFRA (truth-in-taxation) hearing, and a future final bond-authorizing resolution.

Timeline: Staff said the applicant and advisors hope to reach a final bond-authorizing resolution before the EDC by Oct. 22, 2025, assuming the timetable from the borrower's financial advisers is met. Counsel described the TEFRA truth-in-taxation process and public-notice requirements and said the hearing gives property owners in the project area an opportunity to object to tax-exempt debt issuance.

Why it matters: If completed, the financing will support a major senior-living redevelopment in the Eastgate area with a large construction and financing program. The EDC's choice of conduit issuance route carries cost implications because EDC-issued tax-exempt debt under state statute triggers prevailing-wage compliance for the project, which staff warned can increase project costs compared with routes that do not require prevailing wage compliance.

Vote: The inducement resolution passed by voice vote. Staff and counsel said the project will return to the EDC and city commission for the required hearings and final bond authorization.

","The Economic Development Corporation approved an inducement resolution to support tax-exempt revenue bonds for the Beacon Hill at Eastgate senior-living redevelopment and heard staff explain the conduit-bond process, prevailing-wage implications and next steps including city commission hearings and a TEFRA public hearing.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6503793,"Grand Rapids Brownfield Authority approves Bretton Meadows and Robinson Flats plans, OKs grants and reimbursements",149,649000,798000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5454929-b2ebd223a3c59afb57b1c9b3f60a8838&start=649&end=798","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5454929-b2ebd223a3c59afb57b1c9b3f60a8838/thumbnail_649000.jpg","/articles/6503793/Grand-Rapids-City/Kent-County/Michigan/Grand-Rapids-Brownfield-Authority-approves-Bretton-Meadows-and-Robinson-Flats-plans-OKs-grants-and-reimbursements","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6503793-a0b9bcb202932fcd7bb3551d6b8d13b7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771150946&Signature=Xjk18U7KIOsuyDcuacON6SwwXib4cp7WGrLv7NLZGN~kG6ZeDK3USQ9GTaMKVJ3LdcR-fA00HkpPVziATp3jMBuv2Y-5fJ2mT-o28p1yJ1winMfb53ZQalQg3wWnoFW-h3F0X4JEIaP~TsQocr2KQdB91prpGEvitbn~1YfaHpJROihOsjqmGPEQ8oJNh5zon3E7mCpwjGjeffAKmu6VIY75zX0Nv8n0HTNbJkdB78S6sY5a1lyB9X8~p~4YCTC885o~U2OsxBDdDNpqOoxkMbZDBN8ylHCIv34Zsb-XL4-OX8Ai6HyUZfRqUXxuBIXjeecEFMBZSytxANw6cgx93g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Grand Rapids Brownfield Redevelopment Authority on a unanimous voice vote approved a Brownfield plan amendment for the Bretton Meadows redevelopment; approved a work plan and authorized a development and reimbursement agreement for the Robinson Flats redevelopment; authorized payment of submitted invoices for 40 Fourth Street Properties LLC (EnviroClean); approved two emerging developer grants; and approved the authority's June activity report.

Bretton Meadows: The authority approved a Brownfield plan amendment for the project listed in the motion as the Bretton Meadows redevelopment at 4325 Bretton Avenue Southeast. Staff said the plan would demolish an existing, vacant grocery building and construct seven multifamily buildings totaling 168 residential units (84 one-bedroom units and 84 two-bedroom units). Staff reported total project costs of $36,400,000 and hard construction costs of about $28,000,000. The presentation said 82 of the 168 units are expected to be income-restricted for portions of the project term, with affordability described in staff remarks as targeted at households earning roughly 95%–100% of area median income; the Brownfield plan period is 25 years and staff also said some of the income-qualified units are expected to remain affordable for 20 years. Mackenzie, the staff presenter, also described a project inclusion plan with about 15% participation (stated as approximately $4,200,000 of the $28,000,000 construction budget), a Brownfield housing TIF in the roughly $14,800,000 range, and potential rent loss valued at about $12,100,000 (roughly $148,000 per unit) over the 25-year plan. Construction was described as anticipated to start in 2025 with anticipated completion \"about December\" (completion year not specified in the meeting remarks).

Robinson Flats: The authority approved a resolution to adopt a work plan and to authorize execution of a development and reimbursement agreement for Robinson Flats (addresses shown as 1407, 1409 and 1417 Robinson Road). Staff summarized the project as a 32,000-square-foot mixed-use building with 24 apartments, three commercial spaces and 27 surface parking spaces. The Uptown Corridor Improvement Authority will pass through tax increment revenue in the project (staff cited about $400,000 in support). Staff listed total project costs at about $8,200,000 and hard construction costs at about $5,900,000, and said the project is pursuing housing TIF rent-loss reimbursement estimated at about $515,000. Staff said the Brownfield plan had already received city commission approval and the work before the authority packages the project for submittal to the Michigan State Housing Development Authority.

EnviroClean invoice reimbursement: The authority approved payment of invoices submitted by 40 Fourth Street Properties LLC for the EnviroClean project (address quoted in the packet as \"115140 Fourth Street\"). Staff said the total investment in the project was about $5,800,000 and the maximum eligible brownfield reimbursement was approximately $809,000. Submitted eligible costs totaled $565,835; staff recapped a negotiated payment schedule of $125,000 per year until the eligible amount is reimbursed (approximately five years). Staff said the project created 306 jobs (192 full-time, 114 part-time).

Emerging-developer grants: The authority approved an emerging-developer grant not to exceed $157,538 for a project at 807 Martin Luther King Jr. Street Southeast. Staff reported total development costs of about $1,150,000 with hard construction of roughly $827,000. The grant was described as covering predevelopment activities including environmental site assessment, architectural and engineering services and preconstruction consulting; the applicant is Vicky Runyon, with partners and contractors referenced in the record. The authority also approved an emerging-developer grant not to exceed $59,000 for a project at 1133 Fulton Street West to add two residential units as a second primary structure; staff listed total development costs just under $300,000 and said eligible grant uses include Phase I/II environmental work, geotechnical work, survey and design. Presenters discussed practical site costs (for example, the Fulton project will require running a second sewer line and a second electrical service).

Activity report and fiscal items: The authority approved the BRA's environmental site assessment and emerging-developer grant activity report for June 2025. Staff highlighted one fiscal-year-25 project at 443 Sheldon requesting an additional $4,100 for due-care planning; staff said fiscal year 2026 environmental site assessment allocation is $274,412 and the remaining FY25 balance was $24,219, which will revert to the local brownfield revolving fund. Staff also provided an emerging-developer grant summary of awards and reimbursements to date.

Votes at a glance: All motions described above were moved, seconded and carried by voice vote (the meeting record shows \"aye\" and \"motion carries\" for each action; no roll-call tallies were recorded in the transcript). No member recorded a recorded no vote on these items.

Why it matters: The Brownfield Authority's approvals clear several redevelopment projects that rely on brownfield financing tools and emerging-developer supports intended to unlock projects that staff said would not be feasible without program assistance. The decisions move projects that include market-rate and income-restricted housing forward while also authorizing grant funds and reimbursements tied to environmental and predevelopment work.

What's next: Developers said permitting, additional state packaging and construction scheduling remain. The Robinson Flats package will be forwarded to the Michigan State Housing Development Authority; the Bretton Meadows team said it expects to return to the authority with additional approvals and details as the design and financing progress.

","The Brownfield Redevelopment Authority approved a Brownfield plan amendment and multiple grants and reimbursements, clearing two major redevelopment projects (Bretton Meadows and Robinson Flats) and awarding emerging-developer grants and an invoice reimbursement for EnviroClean.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Grand Rapids Land Bank authorizes towing contract, announces board transition and inventory updates

EDC authorizes inducement resolution for Beacon Hill Eastgate bond financing; staff outlines steps and risks

Grand Rapids Brownfield Authority approves Bretton Meadows and Robinson Flats plans, OKs grants and reimbursements