“How long has the Orbit Room been vacant? I remember dropping my nephew off there 20 years ago. Well, it’s gone. The building was demolished a number of years ago.”
And during a presentation to the Grand Rapids Brownfield Redevelopment Authority developer Scott Wierda said he is going to build apartments on the Lake Eastbrook Boulevard site that is now covered by asphalt.
“Top to bottom it’s an economic impact throughout our community with all the trades and their families.”
Grand Rapids economic development coordinator Mackenzie Miller says there will be 132 apartments in the complex, almost twice as many one-bedroom units as two bedroom.
“84 one-bedroom units, 48 two-bedroom units. For two bedrooms monthly rental rates would be between 2275 and 2395.”
The Brownfield Redevelopment Authority is recommending the city use taxes collected on the project to reimburse up to 10.6 million of the developer’s costs. Authority members think it’s a good proposal.
“Very nice-looking project. Agreed.”
Wierda also has city Brownfield tax-increment financing to help pay for the apartments he is building on the site of the former Family Fare supermarket at 44th Street and Breton Road
“Opportunities for us to look at these seas of asphalt and think what else could be there.”
