A new lifestyle center on the East Beltline promises to bring new
Chinese and Italian dining, an contemporary food market and 150 jobs to
West Michigan.
According to excerpts from the story:
Steve Benner's dream of the area's first lifestyle center, Village at Knapp's Crossing, moved a significant step forward with the ground-breaking on the $60 million development on the northeast edge of Grand Rapids. Getting to this point has taken Benner about five years longer than anticipated. The developer said he has been hampered by a worsening economy and zoning battles with City Hall. "It's been a hard struggle," said Benner, standing on a muddy patch with earth-movers in the background Tuesday morning. "They say, 'Good things don't come easy.' This is one of the hardest things I've ever done." Benner said he now has the momentum to complete the Grand Rapids portion of the 300,000-square-foot project in two to three years. He also plans to develop an adjacent 10 acres in Grand Rapids Township. "This is the right project for this site and the city," he said of the mixed-use retail center on the former Sietsema Orchards at East Beltline Avenue and Knapp Street NE.
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