The East Grand Rapids Planning Commission voted 8-1 recommending city commissioners approve an initial concept plan for redeveloping a mostly vacant section of Gaslight Village, but with conditions.
Scott Wierda and Brian DeVries, under the banner of Gaslight Investors, LLC, conceive seven new buildings on the 8.6 acres once occupied by the former Jacobson’s. The mixed-use development calls for 180 apartment units and townhomes, nearly 57,000 square feet of commercial space, and a new parking garage to replace the current one built in 1991.
Concerns over parking, traffic, pedestrian and bicycle safety were addressed, and the planning commission attached a list of eight conditions to their recommendation that the developers must fulfill as they move forward with final designs.
Speaking for the applicants, Mike Corby with Integrated Architecture reassured the planning commission that changes can still be made even after approval of the initial concept.
“To make the investment, and they are significant investments to go into the next stage of things that we need to do, we just need to know, fundamentally, are we headed in the right direction? Can we feel confident moving forward so that we can work this through together with you in the future?”
The concept plan will now proceed to the city commission for review. Once approved, the applicants can move ahead with a final site plan, which will also need approval from both the planning and city commissions.
You can view the plans here.
