GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — On Thursday, Amplify GR broke ground on a new 57-unit housing development in Grand Rapids as part of the effort to revitalize the Boston Square neighborhood.
The development aims to increase the number of mixed-income housing options for residents.
There will also be retail space for entrepreneurs on the development's campus.
Grand Rapids Mayor Rosalynn Bliss and Kent County Board of Commissioners Chair Stan Stek were among the local leaders who spoke at the groundbreaking.
"We need mixed housing, housing like this, mixed housing, mixed income housing, different types of housing all over our city, in every single neighborhood. And this is a great example of that," said Bliss. "It's really the neighbors that have helped drive this vision. And yes, it is a purpose built development, but it's being built with more than just purpose. It's with purpose and passion and heart and love for this neighborhood and this community and the city and the people who call Grand Rapids and this neighborhood home."
The housing development is set to open in 2026.
The development of the Boston Square neighborhood, which has included projects like opening an incubator kitchen and a community hub, is being spearheaded by Boston Square Together. Managed by Amplify GR, Boston Square Together works with community members and organizations to create a plan for the neighborhood.
"This is going to help a lot of people, especially with health issues. Mentally, it's going to provide safer schools for the kids, you know, things like that. It's going to help. It has a lot of purposes," said long-time Boston Square resident Loretta Crawford. "I just can't say enough. I'm getting a little emotional about it, because it's a blessing."
Boston Square Together also hopes to reach goals like offering dedicated spaces for local businesses, increasing homeownership opportunities and building an early childhood learning center.
"We had our own restaurants, we had our own banks, we had our own grocery stores, and now we have to drive way out to get those type of amenities. So we want to be able to bring that back to the community," said senior pastor of the Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church Kenneth Hoskins.
You can learn more about the plan for Boston Square here.
