
Housing development projects in three Michigan cities are now underway. (Ahmet Kurt/Unsplash)
Governor Whitmer announced major housing and development initiatives across three Michigan cities.
Michigan is taking significant steps to address housing needs and revitalize communities through three major development projects that will create over 1,200 new residential units. The Michigan Strategic Fund (MSF) Board has approved transformative projects in Muskegon, Southfield, and Ferndale, marking a substantial investment in the state’s “Make It in Michigan” economic development strategy.
“These projects represent a pivotal moment in Michigan’s urban development, adding crucial housing and breathing new life into our communities,” Governor Gretchen Whitmer stated. “We’re transforming vacant spaces into vibrant places where people want to live, work, and invest.”
Muskegon’s historic furniture factory transformation
According to a Michigan Economic Development Corporation press release, the largest of the three initiatives involves a $221.3 million transformation of a former furniture manufacturing site in Muskegon. Developer Parkland Properties of Michigan will convert seven buildings into 571 residential units and over 74,000 square feet of commercial space. The project received a $159.6 million Transformational Brownfield Plan package.
Jon Rooks, president of Parkland Properties, emphasized the historical significance: “These factory buildings have stood tall on the shores of Muskegon Lake since 1899. Now they’ll continue serving the community by providing much-needed housing and business space.”
Southfield’s new mixed-use development
In Southfield, a $209.5 million project by Middlepointe Investment Group will create 577 residential units and establish a walkable, high-density district. The development comprises three mixed-use buildings, retail space, and community amenities, including pocket parks and a pedestrian greenway.
The project received a $131.8 million incentive package and is expected to create 100 full-time jobs. Southfield Mayor Dr. Ken Siver called it “more than a redevelopment—it’s a rebirth” of the city center.
Ferndale’s Vester Flats project
The Vester Flats development in Ferndale will transform a blighted parking lot into a four-story mixed-use property featuring 72 residential units and commercial space. With a total investment of $22.2 million, the project secured a $3.95 million loan from the Michigan Community Revitalization Program.
These developments align with Michigan’s broader economic strategy, as explained by Quentin L. Messer, Jr., CEO of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation: “Developing attractive places and revitalizing communities are key pillars in the state’s ‘Make It in Michigan’ economic development strategy.”
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