Michigan’s community stewards approved a bunch of incentives yesterday, giving the thumbs up to promising projects coming up in Grand Rapids and the picture-perfect City of Northville. And trust me, we are talking some big numbers here. The biggest piece of the sweet pie is a $252.3 million incentive package being set aside for big-time developments in Grand Rapids.
Now, let’s talk about what’s cooking up in Grand Rapids first. An amazing open-air amphitheater named the Acrisure Amphitheater is all set to steal the limelight. This massive project covers nearly 300,000 square feet and will house a whopping 12,160 seats. But the fun doesn’t end there. Along with the Amphitheater, a giant six-story apartment block will arise, offering 475 places to call home.
Moreover, fans of the beautiful game are also in for a treat – a sports stadium mainly for soccer, with a seating capacity of 8,500, is planned. And next to it, a mixed-use development area named The Stadium District Tower will pop up, featuring plenty of space for retailers, offices, and housing. A generous parking structure with 350 slots will also be a part of this development.
Grand Rapids Mayor, Rosalynn Bliss, praised these projects, saying they’ll help locals prosper and make good use of unused riverfront property. They even have their eyes set on revitalizing the local area with these exciting new developments.
Moving over to Northville, they bagged a state tax capture that’s capped at a tidy $2.08 million. What’s it for, you ask? The old Northville Downs site is getting a green facelift, turning it into a public park and some much-needed infrastructure enhancements.
These big-ticket projects are all aimed at making the city dwellers and its surrounding communities feel even more connected. One of the most ambitious green projects in the state also calls Northville home—the unshackling of the Rouge River to bring it closer to its natural state. It stands as a beautiful testament to the people’s dedication to the environment and public recreation.
The team behind these projects pointed out quite a few perks for the locals that come along like new housing, retail space, and parks. There will also be better connections for pedestrians, cyclists, and vehicles. They’ve got a lot of support, including some hefty federal funding and a million-dollar grant.
Lastly, but certainly not least, our refrigeration buddies at Northland Corp, based in Greenville, have got a solid $1.2 million grant. They’re all set to push their facility from a beefy 175,000 square feet to a more muscly 227,750 square feet. More size means more jobs, so this move is a win-win for everyone.
