Rockford Construction gets state approvals, funds for west side GR project

Rockford Construction gets state approvals, funds for west side GR project

GRAND RAPIDS — An affiliate entity of Rockford Construction Company Inc. today received approvals and state Brownfield funds from the board of the Michigan Strategic Fund to move forward with its proposed “superblock” on Grand Rapids’ west side.

The Grand Rapids-based construction, development and property management firm will be reimbursed $6.3 million for alleviating brownfield conditions on the vacant 3.3-acre site bounded by Bridge and First Streets and Seward and Lexington Avenues.

Additionally, the company will receive $13 million in Tax Incremental Financing (TIF).

The company plans to invest more than $55 million into the site, set to be home to an approximately 38,000-square-foot Meijer Inc. grocery store, office and other commercial space, and mixed income housing, in addition to a 275-space parking ramp.

Construction equipment first began appearing on the now walled-off site in the last few weeks. Construction is expected to begin in June, with the first phase — consisting of the Meijer store, market rate apartments, parking and commercial space — expected to open in the fall of 2018.

“A project of this scale requires a high level of collaboration at the local and state level,” Mike VanGessel, CEO of Rockford Construction, said in a statement. “We are thankful to the City of Grand Rapids and the State of Michigan for their support in making this vision a reality for our neighborhood. This is a key approval for this transformational project, and it couldn’t move forward without it.”

Nonprofit developer Inner City Christian Federation (ICCF) has secured Low Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) to build the affordable housing component of the project. Additionally, Grand Rapids-based nonprofit youth education organization West Michigan Center for Arts & Technology (WMCAT) plans to buy and occupy one full floor of a 56,000-square-foot office building planned for the site.

MiBiz first reported on the company’s plans to develop the site last May.