A longtime developer and former resident of Grand Rapids’ West Side says he has “huge” plans to redevelop a block of abandoned properties in one of the major business districts. Plans haven’t been finalized, but millions of dollars could be on the drawing board.
According to excerpts from the story:
West Side developer and furniture maven Robert Israels is thinking big when he talks about a block of properties on Bridge Street NW. How big? “This is huge,” Israels said. “When I show you what I’m doing, you’re going to say: ‘This is crazy — crazy good.’”
A few years ago, the old retail buildings on the north side of Bridge Street, between Seward and Stocking avenues NW, were filled with an eclectic mix of businesses. There was a tattoo parlor, a submarine sandwich shop, a Mexican grocery and a shaved ice place, among others. Then, over the course of two years, the storefronts went dark. The entire block was abandoned by January — dead.
The previous owner of most of the buildings, Luis Ramirez Sr., lost them to foreclosure in late 2007. In September, Israels, the founder of Israels Designs for Living who has invested more than $80 million into revitalizing moribund factories on nearby Seward Avenue, bought most of the block from United Bank of Michigan Inc. Though still under development, Israels said his plan will feature a variety of uses with emphasis on a retail revival.
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