Renovation of the former Shaw Walker Furniture Company property near Muskegon Lake stalled when the previous owner didn’t finish, leaving what the new developer calls an “eyesore” at the site of Watermark Lofts, an event center, and The Coffee Factory restaurant.
Thursday the Muskegon city planning commission voted in favor of updated plans for the property at 930 Washington Avenue acquired by Parkland Properties in 2022.
Those plans include building or renovating more than 600 housing units, a restaurant and retail space, recreation area and covered parking.
President of Parkland Investments Jon Rooks described the impact of the project for the area.
“It's 730,000 square feet so it’s a monster and it’s going to do two things. It’s going to fix a huge eyesore in town at your entrance to your community and at your exit, and it’s going to help solve the housing crisis. There’s more units in this single building that’s being developed than have been developed in the downtown in the last thirty years combined.”
The proposal now goes to the Muskegon City Commission for consideration.
