Grand Rapids Brownfield authority approves multiple redevelopment plans and emerging-developer grants

The Grand Rapids Brownfield Redevelopment Authority voted to approve a series of brownfield plan amendments, reimbursement requests and emerging-developer grants to support housing and commercial redevelopment across the city.

The authority approved an amendment to support the "M Village" redevelopment proposed by Messiah Baptist Church at the Eastern/Burton corridor. Staff said phase one will demolish existing structures and build 10 duplexes (20 for-sale units). A later phase could add a multifamily building with up to 51 apartments; that second phase would require a separate request for pilot and LIHTC/LITEC-type support. The packet estimated total project costs at $7.8 million, roughly $6.0 million in construction, and requested about $5.2 million in brownfield-eligible reimbursements for site preparation, public infrastructure and “development loss.” The authority approved the plan amendment and the reimbursement structure, which staff said would provide developer reimbursement over 25 years while the plan remains in place for 30 years. Aaron Yonker, representing the development team, described the church’s long-term commitment to the site: "the church...really set it upon themselves a couple years ago to try to make a difference in housing in our community," he said.

The authority also approved a brownfield plan amendment and a $513,450 reimbursement cap plus a requested $200,000 emerging-developer grant to support the West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce headquarters at 1101 Godfrey SW. Staff described a two-story, 12,600-square-foot building with an estimated $9.3 million total investment (about $6.9 million in construction). The applicant’s inclusion plan sets a goal of 30 percent of construction dollars for diverse subcontractors (about $2 million). Brad Lachman, who identified Honor Construction as the owner’s representative, said the headquarters will provide community space, training rooms and a kitchen for events.

Several emerging-developer grants and grant amendments were approved in a single vote block: an amendment to the Local Brownfield Revolving Fund (LBRF) grant for the RISE Lofts (1506 Cesar Chavez Ave SW) to add a phase‑2 request of $105,000 (bringing the total emerging-developer ask to $121,500); an emerging-developer grant not to exceed $149,000 for the Treetops Collective project at 1002 Division Ave SE; an emerging-developer grant not to exceed $39,000 for a mixed-use addition at 1163 Giddings Ave SE; and authorization to execute an LBRF grant agreement associated with the 2017 Eastern Avenue project. Presenters for those items said the funds will cover predevelopment services such as environmental site assessments (ESAs), site planning, surveys, geotechnical work and pro forma development.

The authority approved an Act 381 work plan and a development and reimbursement agreement for the 975 Ottawa redevelopment, a conversion of a functionally obsolete building to an entertainment venue with bocce, outdoor seating and events space. Staff said the eligible-activity reimbursement request for the project is just over $1 million.

The authority approved payment of brownfield-eligible invoices for 900 West Leonard LLC (Victory on Leonard), for a total of $1,143,403. Staff reported the completed development contains 120 apartments and 1,500 square feet of retail, with a total project investment of about $21 million.

Finally, the board approved an amendment to an environmental-site-assessment grant for the 1309 Madison Avenue Apartments project (ICCF), increasing the grant from $56,600 to $65,200 to cover unanticipated testing and lender-required work. Staff said the funds are available in the FY2024 encumbered allocation and will not change FY2025 allocations.

Votes at a glance - Approve minutes of Dec. 11: approved by voice vote (tally not specified). - Interim financial statements as of Dec. 31: approved by voice vote (tally not specified). - Audit of fiscal year ending June 30: accepted; auditors issued a clean, unmodified opinion. - Election of officers for calendar year 2025: approved by voice vote. - M Village brownfield plan amendment and reimbursement request (1865 Eastern / 716 Elliott SE): approved by voice vote. - West Michigan Hispanic Chamber brownfield plan amendment, reimbursement cap ($513,450) and request for $200,000 emerging-developer grant (1101 Godfrey SW): approved by voice vote. - RISE Lofts LBRF amendment (1506 Cesar Chavez Way SW): approved by voice vote (phase‑2 request $105,000; total ask $121,500). - Emerging-developer grant: Treetops Collective (1002 Division Ave SE), not to exceed $149,000: approved by voice vote. - Emerging-developer grant: 1163 Giddings Ave SE, not to exceed $39,000: approved by voice vote. - Execute LBRF grant agreement for 2017 Eastern Avenue project: approved by voice vote. - Act 381 work plan and development/reimbursement agreement for 975 Ottawa redevelopment: approved by voice vote. - Approval of invoices for 900 West Leonard LLC (Victory on Leonard) — $1,143,403: approved by voice vote. - Amendment to ESA grant for 1309 Madison Avenue Apartments (ICCF) from $56,600 to $65,200: approved by voice vote.

Why it matters: The votes authorize public subsidy and reimbursement commitments that staff and applicants say are necessary to make infill housing, nonprofit headquarters and adaptive reuse projects financially feasible in historically underinvested corridors. Several applicants emphasized inclusion plans and outreach to minority‑ and women‑owned subcontractors.

What’s next: Staff will finalize reimbursement agreements and return to the authority if projects require additional approvals or separate pilot/other incentive requests. Several projects—most notably the M Village multifamily phase and some LBRF‑eligible requests—may return for additional approvals or for state review as required by Act 381.