The site plan approved by the Grand Rapids Planning Commission on July 10th shows Wheeler Development demolishing the former Huff Park Elementary to construct three buildings, each with 24 one- and two-bedroom units.
The approved site plan keeps the sloping land surrounding the property untouched, squeezing the buildings into a smaller space than the 4.7 acreage would allow, avoiding a 100-year floodplain. President of Wheeler Development Group Ryan Wheeler explained the plan at last week’s Planning Commission meeting.
“With all these different buildings and unique layouts, this is a very challenging site to try and make work and get any usable housing out of. We’ve gone through a lot of iterations on trying to fit both in between these flood areas and the steep slopes.”
Executive Director of the Creston Neighborhood Association Alex Karatkiewicz said there was overall support for the project, noting that Wheeler Development would also be managing the property after the construction was complete.
“It is a welcome change of pace to have a developer that also owns the management structure, that they will retain property management responsibilities over the project, which to us held great value because they will be invested in the long-term success of the project and the neighborhood feedback.”
Wheeler plans on applying for housing tax increment financing incentives from the city’s Brownfield Redevelopment Authority to reserve some of the units for residents earning between 80% to 120% of area median income.
