More affordable housing units are underway in the City of Grand Rapids. Orion Construction and partners broke ground on Union Suites on Coit Tuesday afternoon.
The 52-unit property on Coit Avenue NE, will provide a mix of one, two and three-bedroom units. Rental rates will be determined by household income and will be restricted to those whose annual income is 80 percent or less of Kent County’s median income.
The project is a partnership between Orion Construction, Union Suites LLC, Dwelling Place and Lott3Metz Architecture.
“I think the fact that you’re seeing a non-profit organization and a for-profit developer work together, obviously with a lot of other partners around the table, I think that is the future of how you make it work quite frankly,” Grand Rapids Mayor Rosalynn Bliss said. “We all have to be a part of the change. The city, we can only do so much.”
Architects on the project said almost every main floor unit will have outdoor porches, as a way to connect residents with their neighborhood.
“They’re going to be talking to their neighbors, being a part of the neighborhood like they should be,” Greg Metz, principal architect with Lott3Metz Architecture said.
Bliss said another key area in the property is its proximity resources like schools, hospitals and parks.
“We’re standing across the street from a school and a beautiful park and it’s close to a transit line,” Bliss said. “When you think holistically about what families need, they need access to those services.”
Project leaders said Tuesday, they hope to complete construction within 12-14 months.
