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Commission approves redevelopment district and 4‑year tax certificate for Century Club; developer pledges to preserve ballroom
Summary
The Muskegon City Commission established a commercial redevelopment district for 356 W. Western Ave. (the Century Club) and approved a four‑year commercial facilities exemption certificate for King Real Estate Holdings; developer Aaron King said the project will include a pediatric clinic, preserve the ballroom and begin permitting in February.
The City of Muskegon on Jan. 13 approved a commercial redevelopment district and a four‑year commercial facilities exemption certificate for the century‑old Century Club building at 356 West Western Avenue, clearing the way for a proposed rehabilitation and a pediatric clinic on the ground floor.
“I'm excited honestly to be a part of that history,” said Aaron King, the prospective buyer, describing plans to preserve the Century Club ballroom as a wedding and entertainment venue while placing a pediatric practice on the first floor. King told the commission the owner (King Real Estate Holdings LLC) expects to close within weeks, begin bidding and permitting in February, and complete construction in time to occupy in July.
What the city approved: Development analyst Jocelyn Hines said the certificate is tied to a proposed roughly $475,000 investment to rehabilitate a 15,000‑square‑foot building. The internal tax committee recommended a four‑year commercial facilities exemption certificate based on taxable value and the city’s rubric for these incentives. The commission voted to close the public hearing, adopt the redevelopment district and approve the four‑year exemption; the motions were supported and passed on roll call.
Developer commitments and community interests: King said the project will retain the ballroom's historic features, keep at least one existing tenant under lease, and explore family‑friendly entertainment in the basement. He also said the construction bidding will attempt to be inclusive of local contractors: “I've asked the builder... to seek to be inclusive in the bidding process to make sure that we... find contractors who represent the makeup of our community,” King said.
Commissioners praised the plan’s job creation (two medical jobs plus construction labor) and historic preservation approach and asked for follow‑up details on contractor outreach and final design. The commission approved the district and certified the application, authorizing the mayor and clerk to sign the associated resolution and certificate.
Next steps: Staff will return with final certificate paperwork and coordinate permitting and inspections as the developer advances financing, bidding and contractor selection.
