Copyright Grand Rapids Press Nov 14, 2003

Some 40 homes in the Midtown Neighborhood Association could be razed if the Grand Rapids City Commission next month approves plans for apartments and businesses along Michigan Street NE between Paris and Union avenues.

The Grand Rapids Planning Commission Thursday recommended the city rezone about four square blocks next to Int. 196 from residential and commercial to a planned redevelopment and urban business district.

In June, plans were unveiled for the $27 million "mixed-use" development that would contain five buildings with a total of 180,000 square feet of office, restaurant and residential space.

Brad Rosely, assistant vice president of S.J. Wisinski & Co. which represents the developer, told the commission they hope to work closely with neighbors to address concerns about traffic and the general impact on the neighborhood.

" This is not just about getting an approval and going out and building it," Rosely told officials. "We want the neighbors to be a part of this."

Just the same, a handful of neighbors voiced concerns at Thursday's public hearing. About half of those attending favored the project.

Christina Helms-Maletic, president of the Midtown Neighborhood Association, told officials she's concerned the proposed development ignores concerns about the 25,000 vehicles per day on Michigan that she said passes through the neighborhood. Her group wants assurances that homes south of Michigan will be protected and that the development will provide a clear benefit to the neighborhood.

" We feel the current proposal does not meet these three criteria," Helms-Maletic told planning commissioners.
Chicago developer Ed Levitt is driving the project.

In the last 11 months, he's secured ownership or options to purchase all the homes targeted for demolition.

Despite voting in favor of the proposal, Planning Commission Chairwoman Janet Sanders expressed concern that in the plan presented Thursday, it's unclear how much residential space would be included. While conceding the plan identifies some space as either residential or office, there will be at least 45 residential units.

Rosely said hopes are to attract a restaurant as a tenant for one of the buildings.

Trying to address neighbors' concerns, Planning Commission member Robert Zylstra said he sees real potential for the development to revitalize an aging neighborhood.

" There are some residential advantages for us," Zylstra said. "It has self-contained parking and there are retail opportunities that could have some real opportunities for the neighborhood."

The City Commission is expected to consider the matter at its Dec. 2 meeting.

" As far as when we can start, it just depends on how quickly things move," Rosely said. "We want to be sure that the people who live there have someplace to go."