Lakeshore Projects

[deja vu]

Yeah, an extra story or two would have been nice. 

Unsurprisingly, Grand Haven City Council unanimously approved three proposals related to advancing the Jackson Flats development at their Monday meeting.

[deja vu]

Good news out of Muskegon - "The Leonard" has finally broke ground -

Quote

Construction finally underway on mixed-use building in downtown Muskegon
Jada Fisher | MLive
November 16, 2020

 

[Guest]

With people moving further and further out of GR and commuting, I can see Muskegon continuing to grow.  Looking at some of the houses and properties over there it reminds me of GR prices (and condition) from about 10 years ago....

[deja vu]

Unsurprising news, the new Muskegon Convention Center - which has faced numerous delays from numerous issues - is now projected to be $2 million over budget ($21+ million, vs. the original $19.5 million budget). Perhaps equally unsurprising, the plan to makeup the difference with naming rights. Any guesses?

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$2M in cost overruns at Muskegon convention center could be paid with naming rights
Lynn Moore | MLive
November 20, 2020

Source: Cory Morse | MLive

[Pattmost20]

9 hours ago, deja vu said:

Unsurprising news, the new Muskegon Convention Center - which has faced numerous delays from numerous issues - is now projected to be $2 million over budget ($21+ million, vs. the original $19.5 million budget). Perhaps equally unsurprising, the plan to makeup the difference with naming rights. Any guesses?

Source: Cory Morse | MLive

Possibly Mercy Health, they just bought the rights to the arena next door. 

[GRDadof3]

Drove through Spring Lake the other day. That downtown is on fire. A bunch of new condos and townhouses, the new culinary development, several new businesses (even a brewery/distillery?) 

[mgreven]

19 minutes ago, GRDadof3 said:

Drove through Spring Lake the other day. That downtown is on fire. A bunch of new condos and townhouses, the new culinary development, several new businesses (even a brewery/distillery?) 

No brewery that I know of...what are you referring to?  New steakhouse/bakery/antiques store, though. You need to drive thru at night now. Spring Lake Sparkle is the new thing. So busy out there last night!

All the music, food, shopping for the event is on hold until next year, of course. 

[GRDadof3]

27 minutes ago, mgreven said:

No brewery that I know of...what are you referring to?  New steakhouse/bakery/antiques store, though. You need to drive thru at night now. Spring Lake Sparkle is the new thing. So busy out there last night!

All the music, food, shopping for the event is on hold until next year, of course. 

I had to look it up. Fuel Bar and Refuge. Looked cool from the outside. 

https://www.fuelbarandrefuge.com/

27 minutes ago, mgreven said:

No brewery that I know of...what are you referring to?  New steakhouse/bakery/antiques store, though. You need to drive thru at night now. Spring Lake Sparkle is the new thing. So busy out there last night!

All the music, food, shopping for the event is on hold until next year, of course. 

Oh yeah, that's nothing compared to the light show at 5/3 ballpark. lol. j/k that looks cool. 

[mgreven]

4 minutes ago, GRDadof3 said:

I had to look it up. Fuel Bar and Refuge. Looked cool from the outside. 

https://www.fuelbarandrefuge.com/

Oh yeah, that's nothing compared to the light show at 5/3 ballpark. lol. j/k that looks cool. 

Fuel is just a regular restaurant, not a brewery or distillery but it is a cool place. 
 

The lights and development are the first step in hopefully making your post in the future say “I stopped in Spring Lake” instead of “I drove through Spring Lake.”

Edited November 28, 2020 by mgreven

[GRDadof3]

4 hours ago, mgreven said:

Fuel is just a regular restaurant, not a brewery or distillery but it is a cool place. 
 

The lights and development are the first step in hopefully making your post in the future say “I stopped in Spring Lake” instead of “I drove through Spring Lake.”

I've biked around the paved trails through Spring Lake and stopped at a little dive bar there afterward. lol. Otherwise the only reason I'm out that way is for work with no time to stop. 

But yes, it can definitely be a destination. I think better than Grand Haven actually. I feel like they're building housing for an older crowd, with better palates and more disposable income. 

[deja vu]

On 11/27/2020 at 9:25 PM, Pattmost20 said:

Possibly Mercy Health, they just bought the rights to the arena next door. 

And the winner is... VanDyk Mortgage Convention Center. A little bit out of the blue.

Quote

Firm to buy naming rights for downtown Muskegon convention center

Lynn Moore | MLive

December 7, 2020

 

 

Edited December 8, 2020 by deja vu

[Pattmost20]

1 hour ago, deja vu said:

And the winner is... VanDyk Mortgage Convention Center. A little bit out of the blue.

 

VanDyk does a ton of work in the Muskegon area. In the 3 and a half years, my title company has done over 170 deals with them alone, and we aren't that big of a player in the Muskegon market.

[HomePortSupplyCo]

Will probably have the nicest views of any Hampton Inn in Michigan if built.

https://www.mlive.com/news/2020/12/hampton-inn-could-rise-5-stories-on-up-north-lake-michigan-beach.html

A proposed five-story, 108-room hotel Hampton Inn and Suites would sit several hundred feet back from the Lake Michigan shoreline and just steps from Manistee's First Street Beach. The hotel would replace the current two-story Lakeshore Motel, 101 Lakeshore Drive

[Prankster]

1 hour ago, Onekama said:

Will probably have the nicest views of any Hampton Inn in Michigan if built.

https://www.mlive.com/news/2020/12/hampton-inn-could-rise-5-stories-on-up-north-lake-michigan-beach.html

A proposed five-story, 108-room hotel Hampton Inn and Suites would sit several hundred feet back from the Lake Michigan shoreline and just steps from Manistee's First Street Beach. The hotel would replace the current two-story Lakeshore Motel, 101 Lakeshore Drive

Not sure how a Hampton Inn could pull off a  “high-end resort feel”, but this will be a nice addition to that area. The beach and surrounding park always feels desolate and run down every time we go there. 

[HomePortSupplyCo]

38 minutes ago, Prankster said:

The beach and surrounding park always feels desolate and run down every time we go there. 

Agreed.  I've always thought the massive mostly unused parking lot for fisherman would be much better suited for a campground similar to Grand Haven's.  Would add a lot more life and vibrancy to the beach area. 

[deja vu]

Muskegon development proposals continue strong, with news that Jon Rooks / Parkland Properties is planning a new dry marina and townhomes on Muskegon Lake, near his Shoreline Inn, Lake House Waterfront Grille, Terrace Point Marina, and Terrace Point Landing. 

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Large ‘dry’ marina proposed along Muskegon Lake could draw many boaters downtown

Lynn Moore | MLive
December 15, 2020

Now, if this happens, it is going to take years, due to the various levels of permits and approvals required at a state and federal level (for example, the dry dock would require a new boat well). But locally at least, it seems to have the full support of the city. The dry marina would occupy much of the existing parking lot for the Shoreline Inn. This city-owned lot would be transferred to Parkland through a quit claim deed and replacement parking would be provided along Terrace Point Drive. This project could also involve the extension of First Street from Terrace Point Drive to Terrace Point Road (the entrance to Shoreline Inn). This would provide a more direct link between all of the development on Terrace Point and downtown. The proposed townhomes would then be built along Terrace Point Drive and this First St. extension.

I think modern-day Muskegon could easily be characterized as the town that Jon Rooks built. In addition to the above, his company also owns HighPoint Flats and the Delta by Marriott Hotel, and they are a partner in the development of the new convention center. Not to mention their donation of the former Masonic Temple for Muskegon CC's downtown campus.

Source: MLive | Courtesy City of Muskegon

Edited December 18, 2020 by deja vu

[deja vu]

While Perrigo works on its plans for a new HQ in downtown GR, construction on its 357,000 SF distribution center in Holland is moving along -

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Perrigo expands commitment in West Michigan with new construction, jobs
Paul R. Kopenkoskey | Second Wave Media "The Lakeshore"
December 17, 2020

In Holland, the 357,000-square-foot consolidated distribution center will provide one point of distribution for finished goods from numerous product lines, so Perrigo’s customers receive one comprehensive shipment from the company...The new facility will expand Perrigo’s warehousing capacity from approximately 870,000 square feet to approximately 1.2 million square feet across four sites...Construction for the warehouse started in August and is expected to be ready for occupancy in March. The site will employ 45-50 Perrigo team members and create more than 30 new jobs in Southwest Michigan...

Source: Second Wave Media | Courtesy Photo

Edited December 19, 2020 by deja vu

[deja vu]

This article is further proof that Hudsonville really does have some of the best ice cream around. And it sounds like they gearing up to have a much bigger impact -

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Sweet success: Hudsonville Ice Cream expands — again
Andrea Goodell | Second Wave Media - The Lakeshore West Michigan
December 21, 2020

For the fourth time in three years — and the second time this year — Hudsonville Creamery and Ice Cream Co. will expand its Holland-based operations. 

“This is only the most recent addition that this wonderful company has made here in our city, and this is a big one,” Holland City Manager Keith Van Beek said during a Dec. 16 City Council meeting. 

“This is an investment that pays back on that tax base forever,” Van Beek said at the meeting. The company, which had 73 employees at the beginning of its latest expansion, will increase that number by nearly 50% in the next few years...

 

Source:

Edited December 26, 2020 by deja vu

[deja vu]

Muskegon has had a pretty notable development year even with COVID-19. If it keeps this up, it might deserve its own dedicated thread! MLive did an exclusive on all the development happening now and planned for 2021. The article is paywalled - but here are the extracted highlights -

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2020 a big year for development in Muskegon despite COVID-19
Lynn Moore | MLive
December 23, 2020

The Leonard

After many delays, this 6-story, 51,000+ SF mixed-use development broke ground this Fall at the corner of Western Avenue and Second Street in downtown. It will add 18 new apartment units. The developer is Corey Leonard / Sweetwater Development.

Source: MLive

Ten21

This three-story, 75-unit apartment complex with some commercial space, broke ground in 2020 at 1021 Jefferson St. near the edge of downtown. It will provide low-income & moderate-income housing. It is a former city-owned surface lot. General Capital Group of Milwaukee, Wisconsin is the developer.

Source: MLive

City-Wide Infill Housing Project

Muskegon set a goal to construct 240 new infill homes throughout the city in the next few years. Here's two of them under construction at 9th & Muskegon. Dave Dusendang is one of the builders contracted with the city. His company built about 25 homes this year and expects to build about 100 more in the next few years.

Source: MLive

An earlier photo from November, of 13 homes along W. Webster Ave. between 8th & 9th Streets -

Source: MLive | Courtesy Dave Dusendang

Hartshorn Village Condominiums

Also broken ground in 2020, this 55-unit condominium project, at West Western Ave. and Division Street, is being developed by DeHaan Homes and Smith Equities.

Source: MLive

Lakeside Business District Developments

Lots of new businesses have been trying to establish some roots here in this trying year - the Pierogi Shack, Lake Dog Coney Island, Wonderland Distilling Company, and Hey Sugar Cotton Candy.

The Deck Expansion

This successful each restaurant began a significant expansion this Fall of its outdoor seating areas in anticipation of 2021. The work will add two outside bars, a beer garden snack bar with deck seating area above it, an enlarged outdoor music area, and a gear shop.

Source: MLive

A Growing Marijuana Industry

Redbud Roots and Timber Cannabis and both opened in 2020 within a few blocks of each other along West Laketon Ave. There were already two provisioning centers in opertion, and apparently officials have approved between 25 and 30 additional requests for new marijuana businesses in the city's overlay district! Hmmmm... that sounds like a lot.

Source: MLive

Edited December 27, 2020 by deja vu

[deja vu]

Another new proposal for downtown Muskegon - this, a 4-story, affordable senior housing development by Samaritas. It would be built at 4 W. Webster Ave. on the NE end of downtown. I like the 4 story infill, but I'm not digging the design at all. Even forgiving the low render quality, the metal panel materials look cold and cheap. There appears to be brick at the first floor - hooray... A big, bland box.

Quote

 

Plans ‘underway’ for affordable senior housing site in downtown Muskegon
Rose White | MLive
December 27, 2020

MUSKEGON, MI – Samaritas is moving forward with a project to build affordable senior housing in downtown Muskegon. A four-story building with 54 apartments for low-income seniors is planned for 4 W. Webster Ave. Office space will occupy the bottom floor of the roughly $10 million development. Sam Beals, CEO of Samaritas, says there continues to be a “significant need” for affordable housing in Muskegon...

 

Source: MLive | Courtesy Samaritas

[Pattmost20]

On 12/27/2020 at 10:46 AM, deja vu said:

Redbud Roots and Timber Cannabis and both opened in 2020 within a few blocks of each other along West Laketon Ave. There were already two provisioning centers in opertion, and apparently officials have approved between 25 and 30 additional requests for new marijuana businesses in the city's overlay district! Hmmmm... that sounds like a lot.

It will remain to be seen how many shops Muskegon can sustain. At the beginning of 2020 we were in Revelstoke, BC which has a population of 7500. They are supporting about 5 stores right now. Muskegon has the added benefit of nearly every other lakeshore municipality banning them.

[deja vu]

I'm honestly having a hard time keeping track of all of the development news coming out of the Muskegon region lately. There is an excitement and a buzz here that has only grown through 2020. It is fun to watch 50 years of disinvestment continue to be reversed. I'd wager that outside of Grand Rapids (and maybe Holland) the Muskegon-area is investing more in development than any other region on the west side of the state right now. Muskegon City Manager Frank Peterson - along with the city's Economic Development Director Jake Eckholm - have been leading the charge. All signs point to momentum continuing into 2021. Most of the new development has been focused along Western Ave.

Here's some other things gleaned over the past few weeks -

1. 2020 Development Recap

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COVID-19 slowed but didn't stop construction boom in Muskegon's downtown
The construction projects in Muskegon's downtown include a convention center, along with high-end and affordable housing.
Jon Mills | WZZM
December 28, 2020

(visit link for video - you can see Frank speaking with WZZM reporter Jon Mills)

 

2. Marijuana Facility Planned for former Shaw-Walker Factory

Quote

 

Large marijuana grow operation recommended for sprawling old factory in Muskegon
Lynn Moore | MLive
December 16, 2020

MUSKEGON, MI – A large-scale marijuana growing and processing operation could go into the vacant portion of the old Shaw-Walker factory in Muskegon, a section of which currently houses condos. The Muskegon Planning Commission has endorsed a request by the building’s owners to be zoned for all types of marijuana licensing. The building, which houses the Watermark Lofts condominiums, Coffee Factory restaurant and the Watermark 920 Conference Center, was already placed in a district that allows for marijuana retail sales...

 

Source: MLive | Lynn Moore

3. Former Nugent Sand Mining Site Acquisition

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New 200-acre park on Lake Michigan could open next year near Muskegon
Lynn Moore | MLive
December 4, 2020

MUSKEGON, MI – A new 214-acre “quiet” recreation area on Lake Michigan and featuring a large inland lake near Muskegon could be open to the public next year. The project to transform the former Nugent Sand mining operation into Dune Harbor Park got a large boost Thursday when it was recommended for a $5 million Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund grant. It received the highest ranking out of 37 applications for land acquisition...

 

The land is loosely bounded by Sherman Boulevard, Lincoln Street, and Seminole Road in the city of Norton Shores and represents about 1/3 mile of Lake Michigan frontage. This would be cool because it would be so close to the city of Muskegon, even within walking & biking distance for some residents.

Source: MLive | Marge Beaver / Photography Plus

4. 1204 and 1148 W. Western Ave. Redevelopment

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Developer has ‘ambitious’ plans for former industrial property on Muskegon Lake
Rose White | MLive
December 3, 2020

MUSKEGON, MI — More than 30 acres of a former industrial site on Muskegon Lake will be transformed into businesses, homes and a marina in plans from a local developer. Ryan Leestma of Leestma Management LLC says he currently has two waterfront parcels on West Western Avenue under contract, and he expects to close the deal in early 2021. Concepts being considered for the site include plans for a marina, mixed-use residential space, a restaurant and single-family homes...

 

This is the former site of Westran Austin Trailer Division and Michigan Steel (demolished in 2014). It is one of several key properties that the city has been targeting for redevelopment, as Muskegon Lake transitions from an industrial hub to a mixed-use, live-work destination. Definitely one to keep an eye on!

Source: MLive

[deja vu]

Grand Haven - 

These photos were posted on LinkedIn by Abonmarche Consultants a few weeks ago. But they are obviously from earlier in the Fall. Abonmarche did the design work for the rejuvenation of a portion of South Harbor Drive -

Source: LinkedIn | Abonmarche Consultants, Inc.

[deja vu]

As we kick of 2021, the push to build a new casino in Fruitport Township will shift from the federal level to the state & local levels. The Little River Band of Ottawa Indians got Land Trust Approval from the Bureau of Indian Affairs on Thursday, December 31, 2020 -

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Effort to secure approval for Muskegon County casino shifting from D.C. to Lansing in 2021
Jon Mills | WZZM
December 31, 2020

MUSKEGON COUNTY, Mich. — The Little River Band of Ottawa Indians has been seeking permission to build a casino in Muskegon County for the last 12 years. To date, much of that time has been spent seeking permission to build the casino in Fruitport Township at the former Great Lakes Downs racetrack at the federal level. As 2020 comes to a close, so do the efforts to gain federal support for the project. Little River Band of Ottawa Indians' Ogema Larry Romanelli tells 13 ON YOUR SIDE the Bureau of Indian Affairs has signed off on the project...

 

 

[Pattmost20]

$110M Muskegon Lake Development

Actual article hidden behind a paywall, but the basics are: 

Single Family Homes, Apartments, Marina, Boat Sales, Retail, and Hotel. To be rolled out in phases, waterfront first and then inland development. They want to create a "town center" type retail development.