Construction is underway on the second phase of Amplify GR’s Boston Square neighborhood housing project. Grand Rapids’ southeast side resident Andrea Owens couldn’t be happier.
“It’s been stagnant for a long time and it’s just opportunity, not only for me, but for my daughters and my grandchildren.”
The $25 million mixed-use development includes 45 units of 1, 2 and 3 bedrooms, 36 of which will be reserved for households earning up to 60% of area median income. It will also feature 10,000 square feet of commercial space along Kalamazoo Avenue.
“A lot of the investment in this neighborhood will just create more jobs, more opportunity for housing, greenspace, just making it more vibrant, more diverse.”
The project complements the HUB 07 community center. It opened last year featuring a medical clinic, childcare center, coffee shop, and community space. Once complete, the 10-acre project will include 220 housing units and 40,000 square feet of commercial space.
Kent County Commissioner Robert Womack says community feedback on the project was key throughout the planning process.
“It’s just so important that neighbors have been able to sit at the table. They’re still at the table. Kent County was able to give $4 million to the HUB 07 because of the neighborhood input that we know that was put into the building of this.”
The first phase of housing is expected to open in June.
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