Commission hears two brownfield housing proposals totaling roughly 170 units; projects referred to committee

The Grand Rapids City Commission on March 17 heard two brownfield plan amendment public hearings for housing projects that together would add roughly 170 units to the city.

Staff described the first proposal — a Knapp Hills redevelopment at the address provided in the packet — as 38 multifamily townhomes with a total project cost of about $12.3 million, including roughly $9.25 million in construction costs and a little over $2 million in brownfield‑eligible activities (primarily infrastructure). The developer said the project includes aspirational inclusion goals and anticipates construction starting this summer.

The second project, presented as a redevelopment at Lake Eastbrook/28th Street led by Scott Weirda and his team, was described as approximately 132 units with an estimated $25 million total cost and about $23.4 million in construction costs; staff said about $3.6 million is dedicated to inclusion plan goals. The proposal calls for reserving 45% of units (about 60 units) at 95–100% area median income (AMI) over a 25‑year tax‑capture period. Staff and the developer gave AMI and rent ranges when asked: packet and staff remarks cited household income ranges approximately between $70,700 and $85,200 for the 95–100% AMI bands and sample rent ranges for one‑ and two‑bedroom units in the packet. A member of the public asked about safety and traffic on 28th Street; another asked for clearer AMI income and rent figures for public review.

Developers and their counsel described prior successes with similar projects in the city and asked the commission to refer the matters for committee consideration; both hearings were closed and referred to the committee of the whole for further review.

No final approvals or TIF captures were decided at the meeting; commissioners and staff said they will review the projects and return recommendations via committee.