880 First St. mixed-use redevelopment project gets ready to grow with Muskegon
9-12-22
Muskegon, MI – The 880 First St project team was pleased to hear Muskegon announce that they will use $3 million of the grant funds from the State of Michigan Revitalization and Placemaking (RAP) Program to support the 880 First Steet mixed-use redevelopment project containing 57 units of market-rate apartments and over 8,500 SF of commercial and community event space. This project will generate an impactful number of new affordable apartments in Muskegon’s walkable downtown – allowing the community’s residents safe and easy access to city services, community gatherings, the farmers market, restaurants, and the city’s bike path infrastructure. “The COVID 19 pandemic has caused supply chain problems, material shortages, labor shortages, inflation, forced interest rates to climb, and as a result, has Increased the costs of construction and rent levels for all housing types. The RAP Program grant support we received from the City, Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and the Michigan Strategic Fund (MSF) Board is so very much appreciated, and these funds will help make this project a reality.” said Project Economic Development Finance Professional Eric Helzer of Advanced Redevelopment Solutions.
The RAP program provides access to real estate and place-based infrastructure development gap financing through grants for real estate rehabilitation and development, public space improvements and local or regional partners who develop a coordinated subgrant program. Eligible applicants were individuals or entities working to rehabilitate vacant, underutilized, blighted and historic structures and develop permanent place-based infrastructure associated with traditional downtowns, social zones, outdoor dining and placed-based public spaces.
“Blight elimination will improve the quality of life for residents in the Nelson Neighborhood. The activation of the street level with new residences, tenant amenities, and a community event space will help transform the corner of Clay and First Steet into a vibrant and welcoming part of our downtown.” said Developer Joel Ferguson.
“The focus of the RAP grant application was downtown housing because of the housing shortage in Muskegon”, Mikesell said in an MiBiz interview, adding, “We are definitely in a situation where we don’t have enough housing for the people who want to be here. We’re finding as soon as we have open units, they are sold or rented immediately. We know that in order for any business downtown to thrive, we have to have a concentration of people here. The businesses just aren’t going to make it if there aren’t people living in close proximity.”
This redevelopment project will be the first major downtown Muskegon development led by minority developers. The Principals of 880 First Street, LLC are Brianna T. Scott, local attorney, and Joel I. Ferguson, long-time Michigan-based developer. Together they have established a project-specific development company for this redevelopment. Brianna and Joel are passionate and dedicated individuals who desire to instill positive change within their communities through social and economic engagement, leading them to take on this challenging project. Brianna and Joel have committed to operating in a way that is inclusive and welcoming to Muskegon’s diverse population to attract more traditional residents of the city’s core neighborhoods into the downtown to live and support the local economy. “We are excited to bring this project to the City of Muskegon in 2023 that will bring new residents and employment into the City’s core downtown. We are grateful to the city for their continued support.” said Developer Brianna Scott.
“With more than 40 years of development experience among the Principals along with an experienced and creative development team, we believe that we have the undeniable capability and capacity to achieve success on a mixed-use development on the 880 First Street Project”, said Project Manager Christopher Strawkolski.
The 880 First Street Project will embrace comfort, convenience, and luxury from stunning kitchens with quality features, contemporary aesthetics, outdoor balconies, and an open design in the studio, one-, and two-bedroom apartments. The project will be pet friendly and contain exclusive community amenities that are designed to elevate our resident’s luxury living experience that include a 24-hour fitness center, conference rooms and private “Zoom” webinar rooms, package lockers and mailing station, coffee & tea bar, game area, pet wash/grooming station, bike repair station and ample bike storage, large on-site storage units available to every apartment, secured underground heated parking for 17 vehicles (with electric car charging stations) and 4 motorcycles, and two private active green outdoor rooftop amenity spaces for tenants to escape to and relax.
880 First Street will also contain an exciting local community event space to host gatherings from meetings/training & parties to wedding/birthday/anniversary parties & receptions and other community events. The project will also serve as a benchmark development with its positive Green Building elements and practices into its construction, including but not limited to an “active green roof” system for stormwater management and outdoor activities, solar panels, and electric car charging stations. The buildings will also incorporate Universal Design elements to ensure that the infrastructure in the built environment is accessible to all, regardless of age, ability, or any other demographic.
For more information, please visit 880firststreet.com
For Interviews or Questions, contact Christopher Stralkowski
O: 517-371-2515 c: 219-898-6667 cstralkowski@gmail.com
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