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Proposal for 50-unit recovery-focused apartment complex presented to Bay County commissioners
Summary
A nonprofit representative outlined plans for a 50‑unit, recovery-first apartment complex in Bangor Township, estimating a project cost of just over $20 million and requesting state and local opioid-settlement funds; supporters said the model has low eviction and low public-safety incident rates at an existing site.
Laurie McGivern Ziolkowski, representing the Michigan Health Improvement Alliance, told the Bay County Board of Commissioners on March 17 that developers plan to build a 50‑unit apartment complex in Bangor Township specifically for people in recovery. "There would be 39 1 bedroom apartment units and 11 2 bedroom apartment units," Ziolkowski said, describing on-site supports including a resident peer coach, a part‑time case manager, and 24/7 security.
The project, modeled on "Andy's Place" in Jackson, Mich., is designed to prioritize residents referred by recovery courts and to provide supportive services aimed at stabilizing people returning from residential treatment. Ziolkowski said Andy's Place has experienced a 3 percent eviction rate over 5½ years and comparatively low law‑enforcement calls; she presented campus‑style amenities and said the proposed Bangor Township site is zoned appropriately and within walking distance of transit, shops and health services.
Why it matters: Supporters said the development would fill a local gap in recovery housing and help employers fill an expected 200–300 new service jobs in the township. Ziolkowski briefed commissioners on local overdose and substance‑use statistics, saying Bay County "has the highest opioid overdose death rate in all of Region 5" and that the county has lost more than 500 people to overdoses in the past 15 years.
Funding and next steps: Ziolkowski estimated the total project cost at "a little over $20,000,000" and described a funding plan that includes tax‑credit financing, a pending state funding request ("a little over $5,000,000"), and a request of about $3,000,000 from the county's opioid settlement fund. She said opioid‑settlement dollars "need to have a sustainable impact in our community" and that Bangor Township would receive annual payments under a proposed PILOT (payment in lieu of taxes) should the township approve reduced taxes; she said the township's PILOT decision is expected April 14. The presenter said the developers are experienced with similar financing and that letters of support are being collected.
Board response and record: The board moved to receive the presentation; the motion passed with unanimous voice vote. No formal funding decision was made by the board at the March 17 meeting.
The project proponents said they will continue outreach with township officials and seek necessary approvals; they invited commissioners and residents to submit letters of support and indicated they would be available after the meeting to discuss the proposal further.
