Big Rapids Brownfield Authority hears proposal for 54-home subdivision using housing TIF; no vote taken

Developers and consultants described a proposed 54-home subdivision in Big Rapids and asked the Brownfield Redevelopment Authority to consider a brownfield/TIF plan to fund onsite infrastructure and a financing gap for a small number of affordable units.

At an informational meeting, Jared Lutz of Michigan Growth Advisors said the proposal "contemplates 54, residential units," mostly four-bedroom single-family homes with garages, and estimated a two-year buildout that would deliver about 27 homes per year. Brian Farkas, director of workforce housing for Allen Edwin Homes, said the developer plans to hold roughly 15% of its overall production as rental/workforce units under a separate brand, Copper Bay, and that for this site the team proposes six income-restricted rental units.

The six rental units would be income-restricted for 15 years to households at or below 120% of area median income, the presenters said. Sam Marius, the authority'consultant (Economic Development Manager with Leeson Van den Brink, standing in for Trevor), explained the state compliance detail: Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) publishes a control-rent schedule used to measure the eligible financing gap that can be reimbursed under a housing-eligible brownfield plan.

Why it matters: the plan would allow the city and developer to recover site-preparation and infrastructure costs through tax increment capture while delivering a small share of income-restricted rental housing and accelerating home construction in a market the developer said moves quickly.

Key numbers and structure

- Units proposed:…