MUSKEGON, Mich. — The City of Muskegon has cleared the first step of a potential housing project, changing the zoning at the site of the former Nelson Elementary School to allow the building of multi-unit housing. The city aims to keep the structure and convert it into affordable housing, as the main concern for many who live near the former school, is that the units remain affordable.
The city is now working with Berkshire Developments to potentially turn the former Nelson Elementary school into over 50 residential units.
"The building is not expected to change all that much. They don't have any plans to demo any of it or to add on, so they're looking at using the existing structure," said Mike Franzak, Planning Director for the City of Muskegon.
The apartments are planned to be available to anyone who makes 30% - 120% of the local average income.
"Oftentimes, when a school leaves a facility, it's tough to reuse. Sometimes it's not able to be reused in a certain capacity, and we're very fortunate that these developers think that they can take it upon themselves to reestablish this building into the community and make it a valuable asset," said Franzak.
Muskegon is working with the Michigan State Housing Development Authority on the Low Income Housing Tax Credit Program, as MISHDA will review the potential project in December.
The city also said the soccer field and amenities north of the building will remain, as those in the area are glad to see plans to keep the building in use.
"My fear if they didn't do something with it, that they would quit using it, and it would become another empty shell," said Terri Brandt, who is a caregiver at a home next to the former school, who says Muskegon already has former schools that have been left to become empty buildings.
Those in the neighborhood also want to see that affordable housing remains affordable.
"I hope that they were affordable housing. Housing that people in this area can afford to live in, that they weren't going to be so high price that the people in the neighborhood couldn't benefit from it," said Brandt, as both neighbors and the city say that the need for affordable housing is a problem that they hope this project will address.
"This is just one of many projects that we're working on now to help address the housing shortage needs," said Franzak.
Brandt adds that the need for housing is visible in Muskegon.
"You can just stop by one of the shelters here and see that there are people who just can't afford rent, you know, rents of $500 are considered super low now. I mean, if you can find a place to live under $1,000, you're doing really well, and people can't afford that."
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