Mid Towne Village

Aug 15, 2003

Copyright Grand Rapids Press Aug 15, 2003

Developer Brad Rosely is putting a new and friendlier face on his proposal to replace about 40 homes in Grand Rapids' Midtown neighborhood with a medical office complex.

Rosely appeared before the Grand Rapids Planning Commission on Thursday with a new architect and new drawings to show new building designs. Instead of boxy office buildings surrounded by parking lots, he showed them drawings of old-style rowhouse-like buildings with parking hidden underneath.

" We feel we're working with the neighborhood," said Rosely, who told commissioners he has been working on the designs with some of the neighborhood activists who opposed his $27 million project. "We're getting the feel of what they want."

Rosely also said he hopes to develop the project under the guidelines of a new "planning redevelopment district" the city is advancing.

Acting on behalf of a Chicago investor, Rosely is trying to buy about 40 homes in a three-block area along Paris, Dudley and Union avenues south of Int. 196 and north of Michigan Street NE.

Planning commissioners were impressed by the new designs, but torn by the prospect of ripping out an old neighborhood and displacing its residents. They tabled any action on the project until next month, saying they hope the city's new redevelopment district code can be adopted in tandem with Rosely's plans.

" This is kind of a heart-breaker," said Commissioner Kim DeStigter, who said the new plans come closer to meeting the goals of the city's new master plan, even though they will replace an old neighborhood. "It won't be easy."

" This is a large project and it will dramatically change the landscape," said Commissioner Shaula Johnston. "Hopefully it will change the landscape in a positive way if it goes forward."

Commissioner Peter Carlberg said he would be a "hard sell" because Rosely's plans did not include buying and redeveloping commercial property along Michigan Street NE. "I'm going to hold the developer to a high standard before I buy into this."

During Thursday's public hearing, neighborhood sentiments were divided between those who were willing to sell their homes and those who do not.

" We don't need Medical Mile," said Brian Gavin, a nearby resident who doesn't want to sell. He argued Michigan Street won't be able to handle the extra traffic from an office complex. "I also don't think we need to tear out any more affordable housing in this city," he said.

Nate Loew, a Union Avenue NE resident who wants to sell, said many of the old homes in the neighborhood, including the one he's trying to fix up, are beyond repair. "This is going to bring us what this city needs -- jobs," he said.

Gloria Maas, who rents an apartment on Dudley Avenue NE, said she can't afford to move.

" I'm low-income," she said as tears welled up in her eyes. "The house I've been living in for the last eight years is the only house I can afford to live in. I think this is a really bad deal."

Mark Stoddard, who lives nearby on Lyon Street NE, said he's afraid the complex will add traffic.

Planning Commission Chairwoman Janet Sanders apologized to neighbors for tabling the proposal.

" I know there are a lot of you who would like to know what your future is," she said. "It's been a big issue for all of us. We wanted to get it out in the open."

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