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Developers seek OPRA and Brownfield assistance for downtown rehab at 123 Washington; council holds public hearings
Summary
Owners of the building at 123 Washington presented plans to rehabilitate ground‑floor commercial space and add residential units; the council held public hearings on OPRA designation and a Brownfield plan and solicited more financial detail before action at a future meeting.
Grand Haven — City staff and the property owner presented public hearings Feb. 16 on plans to rehabilitate an aging downtown building at 123 Washington (referred to in materials as the Flotows Building). The council took public input and requested additional financial details before taking any action.
Dana, representing city staff, summarized the request: the owner proposes to rehabilitate the ground floor for retail or restaurant use, renovate two existing upper‑story residential units and add a third unit. Staff said the County Assessor had determined the property meets the statutory definition of obsolete property under the Obsolete Property Rehabilitation Act (OPRA), Public Act 146 of 2000. The project was described as roughly a $2,000,000 investment; the applicant spoke of a requested OPRA abatement figure but the transcript wording was unclear on the exact amount.
Owner Andrew Totes and attorney Jared Belka said the project requires remediation, demolition and abatement work, and that costs—particularly asbestos and lead abatement—drive the Brownfield request. “It’s an existing old building with significant challenges, and that’s really what’s driving us to request support,” Belka said.
Council members asked about the length and size of requested tax incentives. Several council members urged caution on long‑term tax abatements, with one councilor noting concern about a 25‑year tax capture period for the Brownfield and questioning 12 years for the OPRA abatement. Councilors also asked for more realistic rent projections and clearer evidence of financial need; staff and the applicant said they would supply additional data and the item will return as an action item at a subsequent meeting.
Outcome: Both the OPRA and Brownfield items were presented as public hearings only; no final vote was taken and the applications will return for council action after staff and applicant provide requested clarifications.
