Grand Rapids authority approves multiple emerging developer grants for mixed‑use and affordable housing projects

Grand Rapids officials approved a package of emerging developer grants and a local brownfield work plan intended to speed redevelopment and create new housing across several neighborhoods.

Mackenzie, a staff presenter, told the Brownfield Redevelopment Authority the commission was being asked to approve an ACT 381 work plan and authorize a development and reimbursement agreement for the 125 Ottawa Northwest redevelopment, an adaptive‑reuse conversion of floors 2–4 of the Ledyard Building into 36 residential units. “The intent is to have 36 residential units, 30 one‑bedroom units and 6 two‑bedroom units,” Mackenzie said, and she noted eight of the units are expected to be priced for households at or below 60% of Kent County area median income.

The authority then voted to approve a slate of emerging developer grant requests to cover predevelopment costs such as environmental site assessments, engineering and architectural services:

- A not‑to‑exceed $98,020 award for 824 Lake Michigan Drive, presented by staff; applicant Caden Dietrich said he and his father plan to operate a commercial gym on the ground floor with four two‑bedroom apartments above. “One of the things I’m most excited about for this property is to open up a commercial gym on the main level that will be open to the public,” Dietrich said.

- A not‑to‑exceed $200,000 grant for 343 Indiana Avenue NW to support demolition, LEED‑targeted 4‑story mixed‑use construction with 29 market‑rate housing units and 17 covered parking spaces; applicant Ross Bacon described neighborhood roots and design plans.

- A combined request (not to exceed $200,000) for two parcels at 111 Barnett Street NE and 4th Street NW to support construction of townhome‑style and apartment units (a total of 11 units). Applicant Ricky (S14) clarified the Barnett parcel would include five townhome units and the Fourth Street parcel would be developed as a six‑unit building; two units in each development will be reserved for households at or below 100% AMI.

- A request for the Union Suites on Coit project (626–646 Coit and 210 Fairbanks) — a 52‑unit affordable family housing project targeting 30–80% AMI, including 11 tribal‑reserved units — for predevelopment funding described in the packet as “not to exceed $1.93 5” to cover Phase 1 and Phase 2 engineering and design work (the transcript formatting of that amount is ambiguous). Cara Gates (representing development partners) said the project is planning to pursue high‑level green building standards and has planning commission approval; the packet lists a total development cost of $17,700,000.

- A not‑to‑exceed $108,000 emerging developer grant for 2130 Plainfield Ave NE in the Creston neighborhood to renovate an existing structure and construct an adjacent building with commercial space and six housing units; applicant Andy Staub described local investment and a phased approach.

Each item was introduced by staff, discussed briefly with applicants and commissioners about planning approvals, inclusion and contractor outreach, and approved by voice vote.

Why it matters: the approvals provide early‑stage funding to move projects through site assessment, design and entitlement steps that can otherwise stall. Several presenters emphasized local contractor inclusion and the emerging developer program’s role in connecting smaller developers to permitting and financing supports. The authority also flagged a January follow‑up presentation to consider program changes and potential retroactive applicability if the policy is revised.

What’s next: staff will draft or execute the development and reimbursement agreement for the 125 Ottawa project and process grant agreements for the approved emerging developer awards; several projects indicated they will return for brownfield or TIF requests as they move into later stages.

Ending: motions on all items carried by voice vote; no roll‑call tallies were recorded in the transcript.