LANSING, Mich. — Three West Michigan communities are set to receive funding to revitalize existing buildings and property into new housing and retail spaces as part of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation's "Revitalization and Placemaking" program.
The Revitalization and Placemaking (RAP) program provides funding through grants to bridge the gap in financing for place-based infrastructure development, real estate rehabilitation and development, and public space improvements.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced the funding for three West Michigan projects Tuesday, alongside funding for two other projects in other parts of the state.
The projects will create mixed-used spaces and provide new housing in Lowell, Spring Lake, Zeeland, Petoskey and Cheboygan. In total, 78 new housing units will be created with 67 of those in the three West Michigan communities.
In Lowell, a vacant building downtown will be redeveloped into a mixed-use building with four residential housing units and a commercial space.
The redevelopment project is supported by $428,500 of RAP funding and is estimated to cost a total of $1.191 million.
This project comes on the heels of $17,500,000 in funding from the Strategic Site Readiness Program for the Covenant Business Park.
In Spring Lake, a property in the main corridor of the village will receive funding to be redeveloped into a three-story building with retail space, 41 residential units and lower-level parking.
The project, known as Winsor Place, is supported by $1.5 million in RAP funding and is expected to have a total price tag of $10.25 million. The project is being called Winsor Place in honor of Winsor McCay, a cartoonist who attended the school formerly on the property.
"Through support from the MEDC RAP grant, the Village was able to ensure the Winsor Place development promoted the Village's Master Plan and met the needs of our community,” said Village Manager Brady Selner. “The Winsor Place project will transform a vacant lot in the Village's downtown into a vibrant mixed-use development. Adding density to our downtown will provide opportunities for people to live closer to work, enjoy nearby amenities, and contribute to Spring Lake's economic growth."
In Zeeland, a property in the downtown will be developed into a mixed-use three-story building with 22 residential units and retail space.
The project is receiving $900,000 in RAP funding and is estimated to cost a total of $6.965 million.
“I’m pleased to see this state investment being made in our local community,” said state Representative Bradley Slagh (R-Zeeland). "Living and retail spaces will draw in revenue for local businesses and the community. I look forward to seeing the completed space and how it will help generate even more life into downtown Zeeland."
Whitmer also announced grant funding for additional projects in Petoskey and Cheboygan.
