Proposed Grand Rapids Urban Market lands $1M grant toward contamination cleanup

A proposed $28 million urban market with a focus on food preparation and sales got a huge shot of energy this week with the award of a $1 million grant for the cleanup of contaminated soil and removal of dilapidated buildings.

The grant, part of Clean Michigan Brownfield Initiative, was awarded by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality and will be administered by the City of Grand Rapids. The grant joins another $4.7 million awarded to the project by the Michigan Economic Growth Authority in November 2011.

"In terms of regional scope and draw, the urban market project is probably along the same lines as the Van Andel Arena and DeVos Place projects," says city Economic Development Director, Kara Wood. "We're hoping this project serves as a catalyst for additional redevelopment in that area, and could bring about 200 jobs to the city."

The proposed 130,000-square-foot indoor/outdoor market, a project spearheaded by Grand Action, the group behind development of the Van Andel Arena over a decade ago, could occupy some 3.5 acres bounded by Wealthy St. SW (north), Ionia Avenue SW (east), Logan St. SW (south) and US-131 (west), on the former Sonneveldt Produce Company site. The land, now owned by the City of Grand Rapids, will be leased to a corporate entity for 99 years upon development of the market.

"I think the important thing is that we've worked through public and private partnerships on this development, and it's only with the state and local governments that this project is possible," says Wood. "The next step is for the private funding to come through, and Grand Action is working to raise those funds."

If funding comes through, the market could be open in time for the 2013 season.
    
For more details on the market's plans, click here.

Source: Kara Wood, Economic Development Director, City of Grand Rapids
Writer: Deborah Johnson Wood, Development News Editor

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