WEST MICHIGAN | General Developments

[deja vu]

Benton Harbor -

A while back, Whirlpool Corp. wrapped up its new early childcare center (named "The Eddy") on its corporate campus in Benton Harbor. This facility is intended to attract potential staff with younger children to relocate to the area for employment. It recently received a design award from AIA Grand Rapids -








Source: LinkedIn | Abonmarche






Source: Integrated Architecture

[deja vu]

Berrien Springs -

The new Sylvester Stadium at Berrien Springs Public Schools is officially open and looks great. The new, custom gateway signage was just added this past week. Pretty impressive for a rural school district in Southwest Michigan.






Source: LinkedIn | CARMI Design Group, Inc.










Source: LinkedIn | CARMI Design Group, Inc.

[DetroitSky]

Wow, that is an impressive stadium. Much better than what a lot of bigger districts have.

[deja vu]

Originally Posted by DetroitSky

Wow, that is an impressive stadium. Much better than what a lot of bigger districts have.

Yeah, the team building is impressively large - it contains public restrooms, locker rooms / team rooms, concessions, storage, press box, and marching band space -




Source: Berrien Springs Public Schools

[deja vu]

Grand Haven -

Formerly known as Jackson Flats, the re-named Peerless Flats (a proposed housing development in downtown Grand Haven) will seek final approvals from the Grand Haven City Council on November 16. At 130+ units & 148,000 + SF, this would be a huge investment in the downtown. The site is near the waterfront, bordered by Jackson, Fulton, 1st, & 2nd Streets. Groundbreaking is scheduled for Spring 2021. The estimated cost is $24.7 million.

New residential development proposed for downtown Grand Haven
BY Paul R. Kopenkosky | Second Wave Media
October 30, 2020

According to the above, amenities will include

...124 rental apartments, ranging from studio to three-bedroom units; nine owner-occupied townhome/condominiums along Second Street; four apartment buildings; and an amenity building with a conference room and fitness center, a gathering area, a kitchen, and terrace...

Source: Second Wave Media | Courtesy Rendering

[DetroitSky]

10-story apartment tower proposed for downtown Muskegon by MSU trustees

MUSKEGON, MI – A 10-story residential “tower” is the latest plan for a gutted building in downtown Muskegon eyed for redevelopment by two Michigan State University trustees.

Joel Ferguson and Muskegon attorney Brianna Scott, both members of the MSU board of trustees, recently shared their vision for the property with Muskegon city commissioners.

The former bank building at the corner of First Street and Clay Avenue is owned by the city of Muskegon, which gutted the building down to its steel beams to prepare it for redevelopment.

After about a year of study the developers have determined the existing structure is usable and will be able to accommodate the addition of five more stories, said Jake Eckholm, the city of Muskegon’s economic development director. The “phase one” plan now is to put 52 rental apartments in the tower building, as well as co-working space for residents who work from their residences, he said.

A later phase likely will add dozens more apartments as well as a three- to four-story parking garage in an area fronting Clay Avenue currently comprised of a single-story attached structure and a city-owned parking lot, Eckholm said. The parking structure would be for tenant and some public use, he said.

How the building sits now.

[deja vu]

That's pretty interesting. Of all the possible scenarios for this project, I never anticipated one where it could effectively double in height! Even if they only add 2 or 3 stories, it would play well off of the adjacent Highpoint Flats.

[deja vu]

Grand Haven -

Unsurprisingly, Grand Haven City Council unanimously approved three proposals related to advancing the Jackson St. / Peerless Flats development at their Monday meeting.

[deja vu]

Muskegon -

Here's a different sort of "development", in Muskegon -

Public input sought on murals proposed for rusty railroad bridges in Muskegon
Lynn Moore | MLive
November 6, 2020

The City is asking the public to vote on their favorites. 4 of the 6 finalists below will be installed next spring, pending funding. I like numbers 1 & 6.

[deja vu]

Muskegon (Fruitport Township) -

Just another article about the Muskegon County Casino, and its projected economic impact -

Muskegon County Casino to Generate $15m for Michigan Annually
Mike Johnson | Gambling News
November 1, 2020

[deja vu]

Benton Harbor - "The Port of Possibilities" -

ABC 57 has started a series called "Building Up Benton Harbor". The first installment focuses on the Cornerstone Alliance project in the former Farmers and Merchants Building, as well as the City Center Building with Cressy Real Estate. Also included: a big nod to Whirlpool and its contributions. Really nothing in terms of "new news" but we will see what future installments discuss.

Building Benton Harbor: The mission to further economic development
Roxie Elliott - ABC 57
November 11, 2020

[deja vu]

Muskegon -

Good news out of Muskegon - "The Leonard" has finally broke ground -

Construction finally underway on mixed-use building in downtown Muskegon
Jada Fisher | MLive
November 16, 2020

[DetroitSky]

Originally Posted by deja vu

Good news out of Muskegon - "The Leonard" has finally broke ground -

Good to hear!

[deja vu]

Muskegon -

Unsurprising news, the new Muskegon Convention Center - which has faced numerous delays from numerous issues - is now projected to be $2 million over budget ($21+ million, vs. the original $19.5 million budget). Perhaps equally unsurprising, the plan to makeup the difference with naming rights. Any guesses?

$2M in cost overruns at Muskegon convention center could be paid with naming rights
Lynn Moore | MLive
November 20, 2020

Source: Cory Morse | MLive

[deja vu]

Muskegon -

Muskegon development proposals continue strong, with news that Jon Rooks / Parkland Properties is planning a new dry marina and townhomes on Muskegon Lake, near his Shoreline Inn, Lake House Waterfront Grille, Terrace Point Marina, and Terrace Point Landing.

Large ‘dry’ marina proposed along Muskegon Lake could draw many boaters downtown
Lynn Moore | MLive
December 15, 2020

Now, if this happens, it is going to take years, due to the various levels of permits and approvals required at a state and federal level (for example, the dry dock would require a new boat well). But locally at least, it seems to have the full support of the city. The dry marina would occupy much of the existing parking lot for the Shoreline Inn. This city-owned lot would be transferred to Parkland through a quit claim deed and replacement parking would be provided along Terrace Point Drive. This project could also involve the extension of First Street from Terrace Point Drive to Terrace Point Road (the entrance to Shoreline Inn). This would provide a more direct link between all of the development on Terrace Point and downtown. The proposed townhomes would then be built along Terrace Point Drive and this First St. extension.

I think modern-day Muskegon could easily be characterized as the town that Jon Rooks built. In addition to the above, his company also owns HighPoint Flats and the Delta by Marriott Hotel, and they are a partner in the development of the new convention center. Not to mention their donation of the former Masonic Temple for Muskegon CC's downtown campus.






Source: MLive | Courtesy City of Muskegon

[deja vu]

Holland -

While Perrigo works on its plans for a new HQ in downtown GR, construction on its 357,000 SF distribution center in Holland is moving along -

Perrigo expands commitment in West Michigan with new construction, jobs
Paul R. Kopenkoskey | Second Wave Media "The Lakeshore"
December 17, 2020

In Holland, the 357,000-square-foot consolidated distribution center will provide one point of distribution for finished goods from numerous product lines, so Perrigo’s customers receive one comprehensive shipment from the company...The new facility will expand Perrigo’s warehousing capacity from approximately 870,000 square feet to approximately 1.2 million square feet across four sites...Construction for the warehouse started in August and is expected to be ready for occupancy in March. The site will employ 45-50 Perrigo team members and create more than 30 new jobs in Southwest Michigan...

Source: Second Wave Media | Courtesy Photo

[deja vu]

Berrien County -

Check this out - MDOT posted some pictures on Instagram about a week ago of the progress on the US-31 / I-94 Connector in Berrien County, MI (near Benton Harbor). The project more than four decades in the making will extend US-31 from E. Napier Avenue to I-94 (& more directly to I-196 and downtown Benton Harbor's business loop) -

[deja vu]

Holland -

This article is further proof that Hudsonville really does have some of the best ice cream around. And it sounds like they gearing up to have a much bigger impact -

Sweet success: Hudsonville Ice Cream expands — again
Andrea Goodell | Second Wave Media - The Lakeshore West Michigan
December 21, 2020

For the fourth time in three years — and the second time this year — Hudsonville Creamery and Ice Cream Co. will expand its Holland-based operations.

“This is only the most recent addition that this wonderful company has made here in our city, and this is a big one,” Holland City Manager Keith Van Beek said during a Dec. 16 City Council meeting.

“This is an investment that pays back on that tax base forever,” Van Beek said at the meeting. The company, which had 73 employees at the beginning of its latest expansion, will increase that number by nearly 50% in the next few years...

Source:

[deja vu]

Muskegon -

Muskegon has had a pretty notable development year even with COVID-19. If it keeps this up, it might deserve its own dedicated thread! MLive did an exclusive on all the development happening now and planned for 2021. The article is paywalled - but here are the extracted highlights -

2020 a big year for development in Muskegon despite COVID-19
Lynn Moore | MLive
December 23, 2020

The Leonard

After many delays, this 6-story, 51,000+ SF mixed-use development broke ground this Fall at the corner of Western Avenue and Second Street in downtown. It will add 18 new apartment units. The developer is Corey Leonard / Sweetwater Development.


Source: MLive

Ten21

This three-story, 75-unit apartment complex with some commercial space, broke ground in 2020 at 1021 Jefferson St. near the edge of downtown. It will provide low-income & moderate-income housing. It is a former city-owned surface lot. General Capital Group of Milwaukee, Wisconsin is the developer.


Source: MLive

City-Wide Infill Housing Project

Muskegon set a goal to construct 240 new infill homes throughout the city in the next few years. Here's two of them under construction at 9th & Muskegon. Dave Dusendang is one of the builders contracted with the city. His company built about 25 homes this year and expects to build about 100 more in the next few years.


Source: MLive

An earlier photo from November, of 13 homes along W. Webster Ave. between 8th & 9th Streets -


Source: MLive | Courtesy Dave Dusendang

Hartshorn Village Condominiums

Also broken ground in 2020, this 55-unit condominium project, at West Western Ave. and Division Street, is being developed by DeHaan Homes and Smith Equities.


Source: MLive

Lakeside Business District Developments

Lots of new businesses have been trying to establish some roots here in this trying year - the Pierogi Shack, Lake Dog Coney Island, Wonderland Distilling Company, and Hey Sugar Cotton Candy.



The Deck Expansion

This successful each restaurant began a significant expansion this Fall of its outdoor seating areas in anticipation of 2021. The work will add two outside bars, a beer garden snack bar with deck seating area above it, an enlarged outdoor music area, and a gear shop.


Source: MLive

A Growing Marijuana Industry

Redbud Roots and Timber Cannabis and both opened in 2020 within a few blocks of each other along West Laketon Ave. There were already two provisioning centers in opertion, and apparently officials have approved between 25 and 30 additional requests for new marijuana businesses in the city's overlay district! Hmmmm... that sounds like a lot.


Source: MLive

[deja vu]

Muskegon -

Another new proposal for downtown Muskegon - this, a 4-story, affordable senior housing development by Samaritas. It would be built at 4 W. Webster Ave. on the NE end of downtown. I like the 4 story infill, but I'm not digging the design at all. Even forgiving the low render quality, the metal panel materials look cold and cheap. There appears to be brick at the first floor - hooray... A big, bland box.

Plans ‘underway’ for affordable senior housing site in downtown Muskegon
Rose White | MLive
December 27, 2020

MUSKEGON, MI – Samaritas is moving forward with a project to build affordable senior housing in downtown Muskegon. A four-story building with 54 apartments for low-income seniors is planned for 4 W. Webster Ave. Office space will occupy the bottom floor of the roughly $10 million development. Sam Beals, CEO of Samaritas, says there continues to be a “significant need” for affordable housing in Muskegon...

Source: MLive | Courtesy Samaritas