La-Z-Boy redevelopment moving in phases; Aldi and housing units open amid MDOT delays for sidewalks and drainage work

City staff reported incremental progress Oct. 6 on the long‑running redevelopment of the former La‑Z‑Boy headquarters site while cautioning that some infrastructure work remains delayed by state road and drainage projects.

Director of Development Mark Cochran reviewed recent openings and construction: an Aldi store opened more than a year ago; a five‑unit commercial building to the east has been finished; Lake Trust Credit Union is building its first regional facility and is finishing the northern two tenant spaces with a drive‑through; ATI Physical Therapy relocated into two tenant spaces; and Dolce Nona, an Italian bakery, is under construction and preparing to open later this fall.

Cochran said a remaining commercial bay on the south end was under active discussion with potential tenants and that attached single‑story townhomes east of the commercial area have been built and occupied; additional townhomes to the south are finishing and have been quickly occupied.

Infrastructure work includes extension of Huber Drive and completion of Holiday Drive. Cochran said the city contracted design work for the next phase of infrastructure and that sidewalks, decorative street lighting and pedestrian pathway work are tied to other permits and to the Mason Run Drain permitting. He said the city delayed installing sidewalks and some public amenities while Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) and drain work inside the right‑of‑way were pending, to avoid installing elements that MDOT would later need to remove.

Cochran showed proposed monument and wayfinding signage that will be installed across the city, including a taller vertical monument sign at the Holiday and Telegraph intersection that will serve as a southern gateway into the city. He said the city expects sign fabrication and installations to move forward in late fall or spring depending on weather and coordination with utility partners.

Council members asked about residential interest on the other side of Huber Drive; Cochran said rising costs have depressed some developer interest but the city and Squire Properties (the developer under agreement) are discussing options with other residential developers. Cochran said the city remains engaged in marketing and coordinating potential developers and expects further progress as the regional market supports more building.

Cochran said the city’s goal is to complete infrastructure and site amenities either this fall where feasible or next spring, and he credited city staff and development partners for recent leasing and housing occupancy.