Jan 7, 2004

Copyright Grand Rapids Press Jan 7, 2004

Developer Brad Rosely suddenly became the most popular man in the Grand Rapids City Commission chambers Tuesday evening.

In a surprise move, commissioners skipped their normal procedures and gave Rosely their immediate approval to build a $27 million medical office, retail and residential project northeast of Michigan Street and Paris Avenue NE.

After the meeting, Rosely found himself surrounded by neighborhood residents who have agreed to sell to Rosely's client, a wealthy Chicago real estate investor who has secured an option to buy 42 homes in a three-block area.

They wanted to know how soon they could close the deal and move to new homes and neighborhoods.

" Whitney, we're moving!" an excited Janice Payne told her step- daughter as she waited to talk to Rosely.

The City Commission's action followed a hearing in which neighbors pleaded for the project to be approved quickly. Normally, the commission waits two weeks after a hearing before it votes on a project.

Noting that the project has gone through several reviews and was approved by the Planning Commission, 2nd Ward City Commissioner Lynn Rabaut said further delay was not warranted.

During the hearing, Payne, a resident of Union Street NE, and her neighbors complained they were getting fed up with the yearlong process of waiting for approvals from City Hall.

Most of the neighbors complained of drug dealing and said they did not believe their old homes were worth saving.

Payne said she was awakened one morning to find police officers with guns drawn, chasing drug dealers through her yard. "I want to move to a safer part of Grand Rapids," she said.

" We're all sitting here waiting to go somewhere else," said neighborhood resident Brian Lawn. "Please don't let it take this long."

Neighbor Jennifer Martineau agreed. "I just want to get out of the neighborhood," she said. "Over the last couple of years, it's gotten worse."

Nathaniel Lowe, of Union Street NE, said his 130-year-old home has foundation problems that would cost $27,000 to fix.

Lowe's wife, Tammi, said they had to remove a garage from their property because it had become a hangout for drug users. "The whole neighborhood has gone downhill," she said.

Rosely, a sales associate with S.J. Wisinski, is planning to replace their homes with a mixed-use development that would house medical office buildings, retail shops, restaurants and apartments. The project, between Paris and Union avenues, would include five new buildings, a neighborhood park and generate $500,000 in new property taxes to the city, he said.

For the residents of the area, Rosely said he has offered to help find new homes. For renters, he said, he's offered up to $1,000 in relocation expenses.