Board approves Hudsonvilles Landings at Rush Creek Brownfield housing TIF; 84-unit workforce project moves forward

The Ottawa County Board of Commissioners voted April 22 to approve a Brownfield housing plan amendment for the Landings at Rush Creek, a proposed 84-unit workforce housing development in the city of Hudsonville. County staff said changes from the previously presented plan include shortening the capture period from 21 to 20 years, reducing the local brownfield revolving fund contribution from roughly $500,000 to about $213,000 and trimming developer capture from approximately 5.1 to about 4.9 percent.

Becky Hettinger, the countys economic development coordinator, summarized the edits for the board and said the revised plan still reserves 12 income-qualified units split between 8 units at 90% area median income and 4 units at 80% AMI. Tyler, the Hudsonville city manager, told commissioners the property has been vacant for 25 years and that the project produces workforce one-bedroom units with attached garages. Supporters on the board emphasized the need for workforce housing, local job retention and the projects use of existing infrastructure. Opponents cautioned about taxpayer subsidies and asked detailed questions about the Brownfield revolving fund, administrative fees and precedent. The Brownfield plan passed on a roll-call vote and will go to Michigan State Housing Development Authority staff for their review as the next step in state-level approval.