Despite a number of market challenges, construction companies have kicked off myriad multifamily and industrial projects this year, fueled by West Michigan’s housing shortage and the high demand for quality manufacturing space. 

WYOMING — City officials have secured $6 million from Kent County’s share of federal stimulus funds to help advance longtime plans for a downtown just south of 28th Street.

GRAND RAPIDS — More than 4,700 people once lived in the neighborhood immediately surrounding Trinity Health’s Saint Mary’s Hospital campus back in the early 1900s.

KENTWOOD — Wolverine Building Group co-owner Aaron Jonker has sold his shares in the construction company to pursue “a couple of different opportunities” that could involve a more development-oriented role focused on equity in the industry.

GRAND RAPIDS — A second site tied to a failed development firm in Grand Rapids’ Creston neighborhood is attracting interest from a new developer.

ALPINE TWP. — Local backlash has caused township officials to pause their consideration of a developer’s plan for 567 housing units at Gracewil Country Club in Kent County.

ALPINE TWP. — A West Michigan residential construction firm seeks to gradually replace a Kent County golf course with more than 500 single-family homes and condo units.

State House lawmakers late last week passed a series of bills that aim to make it easier for developers to build much-needed projects through various tax incentives.

GRAND RAPIDS — Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan has signed a seven-year lease renewal for its downtown Grand Rapids headquarters, providing a sign of confidence amid widespread uncertainty in downtown commercial office space. 

GRAND HAVEN — Construction has started on a $12.4 million, 39-unit apartment complex on downtown Grand Haven property that for decades housed the Grand Haven Tribune. 

MUSKEGON — A group of Michigan and Chicago-based entrepreneurs are developing a one-stop cannabis destination in Muskegon that would include a growing and processing facility, dispensary, consumption lounge, outdoor venue, restaurant and bar.

WAYLAND TWP. — The Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi Indians, or Gun Lake Tribe, plans to transform hundreds of acres of property north of Gun Lake Casino into a massive development that could include retail, health care, housing and manufacturing, MiBiz has learned.

Ottawa and Kent counties are both considering using federal stimulus money to create revolving loan funds to make a dent in the region’s housing shortage by providing financing continuity instead of funding individual projects.

WYOMING — A Booking.com call center in Wyoming that was acquired by a global customer experience service provider early this year will close and lay off all 226 employees next month, according to filings with the state.

WALKER — A movie studio that formerly operated in downtown Grand Rapids is eyeing a larger industrial space in Walker to accommodate local filmmakers seeking to rent out production space.

SAUGATUCK TWP. — Controversy over a multi-purpose development on the mouth of the Kalamazoo River in Saugatuck Township will drag on for at least a few more months amid recent court developments. 

WALKER — The Walker Planning Commission has approved plans for a 132,680-square-foot distribution center north of I-96 that’s part of a larger 76-acre site being repurposed for industrial uses.

GRAND RAPIDS — Sturgeon Bay Partners continues to actively pursue redeveloping the sprawling Sligh Building just south of downtown Grand Rapids, but will likely scale back the number of residential units as construction-related costs escalate. 

VICKSBURG — The village of Vicksburg’s historic district, which includes 176 commercial, residential and community-related properties, has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

GRAND RAPIDS — A wave of stricter stormwater management requirements are going into effect across the state, highlighting the need for additional funding tools to help developers and businesses create green infrastructure.

ROCKFORD — Market disruptions that have halted some major construction projects from Wheeler Development Group LLC aren’t stopping the company from reviving plans for a 54-room boutique hotel in downtown Rockford.

GRAND RAPIDS — A Chicago-based developer plans a 10-story building along Division Avenue in downtown Grand Rapids that would include more than 400 apartment units, retail and restaurant space.

When a Southwest Michigan development group received more inquiries in 2021 for industrial spaces 1 million square feet or larger than it had in the last 10 years combined, leaders knew they faced a challenge, as well as had a business opportunity on their hands. 

West Michigan’s industrial sector remains a point of strength in the local commercial real estate market, with many employers hoping to expand in the region despite the lack of available space, which has prompted a range of new construction projects.

A long-discussed plan for a large solar project at the former Butterworth landfill in Grand Rapids could be moving forward under a recent settlement agreement approved by state energy regulators.

GRAND RAPIDS — Lansing-based construction management firm Clark Construction Co. will expand its West Michigan presence with a new office at the McKay Tower in downtown Grand Rapids.

GRAND RAPIDS — Construction Allies in Action is launching the first phase of a new program to help underrepresented commercial and residential construction contractors grow their businesses. 

MUSKEGON HEIGHTS — Construction began today on what will be the first new home built in Muskegon Heights in 17 years — a literal and symbolic step in the city’s revitalization, according to local officials.

With decades of experience in the trades, DeShon Leek understands firsthand the dark side that comes with working in the construction industry. 

Officials with the Michigan Economic Development Corp. and Michigan Municipal League have announced plans to speed up new housing projects across the state by focusing on solutions for infill development.