New Housing Projects Dot Northern Michigan

Expect to see a lot of cranes in the air this summer as developers scramble to meet northern Michigan’s skyrocketing housing demand. Construction is particularly intense in Traverse City, but several other communities also have notable residential projects underway. The Northern Express provides a guide to the latest housing development news.

Traverse City

200 RIVER PLACE

Construction is slated to begin in late June on a new five-story mixed-use development on the vacant parcel between the Traverse City Record-Eagle and J&S Hamburg on Front Street. The development will offer 45 modern, luxury residential units, 15 percent of which have already been sold, according to Andrew Koons of Coldwell Banker Schmidt Realtors. The building will feature a ground-floor restaurant and commercial space on the first and second floors. Construction will take 12–14 months, with the first units likely available for occupancy in late summer 2017.

81 ON EAST BAY

A proposed Old Mission Peninsula development that calls for 41 home sites and 40 boat slips on the east side of the peninsula remains in limbo after Judge Philip Rodgers ordered township officials to more closely analyze fire code and soil erosion issues before approving site plans. On May 10, the township board again delayed a public hearing on the development, citing a need for more review time. A special hearing, at a larger venue that can accommodate concerned residents, will likely take place early this summer.

BRIDGE VALLEY DEVELOPMENT

Construction could begin this fall on a 91-unit subdivision on an 80-acre parcel east of Five Mile Road between Holiday and Prouty roads. In January, East Bay Township officials approved developer Kevin O’Grady’s plans for the Bridge Valley condominium subdivision. Project representative Doug Mansfield said the development team will head into permitting soon, followed by potential construction this fall.

BROOKSIDE COMMONS/BOARDMAN LAKE APARTMENTS

The Woda Group celebrated the opening of two affordable housing complexes in Grand Traverse County in February: Brookside Commons offers 72 units on the west side of Traverse City, off Long Lake Road, while Boardman Lake Apartments offers 112 rehabilitated units on the west side of Boardman Lake near Veterans Drive. Both projects were made possible by Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) and USDA Rural Development funding. Both developments are fully occupied and have waiting lists for residents.

CARSON SQUARE

On April 8, Goodwill Northern Michigan celebrated the grand opening of a 36-unit apartment complex called Carson Square on Carson Street, just north of South Airport Road. The 100 percent-permanent supportive housing development features 16 onebedroom and 20 two-bedroom apartments “for families and individuals who have faced homelessness and for survivors of domestic violence and assault,” according to Goodwill Marketing and Communications Manager Kristen Talaga.

KING’S COURT

Garfield Township trustees will consider approving plans in June for Sun Communities to expand by 37 acres its King’s Court manufactured home park on LaFranier Road. Planning commissioners signed off earlier this month on the project, which will allow for 158 new mobile home sites to be constructed, plus the addition of new recreational amenities in the park. Home sites will range from 6,000–7,000 square feet.

THE MOORINGS/LEELANAU FLATS

Construction will begin next month on the first of 90 single-family homes in new subdivision The Moorings of Grand Traverse, off M-72 behind Tom’s West Bay. According to developer Ted Lockwood, eight units already have sold, with four buyers interested in beginning construction immediately. Paving, grass seeding and utilities will be installed in the development this month, with the first homes ready for occupancy in December. A separate project on the property, Leelanau Flats, will feature 60 condominiums, four of which already have sold. Construction is set to begin on those units this fall.

NMC STUDENT HOUSING

Work on a 55,000 square-foot student housing development is slated to begin in July at Northwestern Michigan College (NMC). The three-story complex will offer 36 units, 150 beds and a fitness center. It will be located along the edge of the baseball field across from the Elm parking lot and is expected to be complete in time for the start of the 2017 school year. NMC is also planning to build another 53,000 square-foot housing development with 150 beds in the near future, according to college officials.

RIDGE 45

Construction is underway on a 232-unit apartment complex on LaFranier Road, north of Hammond Road in Garfield Township. Ridge 45 — formerly called Maple Ridge — will include 76 one-bedroom units, 136 two-bedroom units and 20 three-bedroom units. The neighborhood will also feature a children’s play area, walking trails, fire pit, clubhouse with fitness center, outdoor swimming pool and hot tub area, a dog park and sidewalks. The first units could be available for occupancy in early 2017.

RIVER WEST/305 PINE STREET

A proposed nine-story mixed-used development at the corner of Pine and Front streets is on hold while developers appeal a March decision by Judge Philip Rodgers to vacate a special land use permit (SLUP) for the project. Rodgers ruled that Traverse City commissioners hadn’t adequately analyzed the project’s impact on city infrastructure and services and remanded the development back for further commission review. Developers are challenging Rodgers’ ruling in the Michigan Court of Appeals.

SEVENTH STREET FLATS

Six units in a planned 18-unit duplex development on Seventh Street between Cedar and Spruce streets already are sold and occupied, and construction is underway on the remaining 12 units. Developer Ted Lockwood says two of those units — which range in price from $349,000 to $389,000 — have sold; 10 remain available. Construction on the final four-story building in Seventh Street Flats will be complete by November 1, said Lockwood.

UPTOWN RIVERFRONT TOWNHOMES

A 15-unit townhome development along the Boardman River on State Street is likely to be complete by January 2017. Uptown Riverfront & Cityside Townhomes consists of three buildings of five units each featuring vegetated green roofs. Four units are sold in building one, with one resident already moved in and other occupants arriving by early June. Three of five units in building two also are sold, with occupancy beginning in August. Building three’s “Cityside” units, which offer a unique hybrid of commercial street-level space and upper-floor residential space, will be ready by January, with one unit already reserved.

VENTURE NORTH/GARFIELD ROAD APARTMENTS

At least 70 more rental apartments could be coming to Traverse City by fall 2017. TraverseConnect — the 501c4 nonprofit parent organization of the Traverse City Area Chamber of Commerce — and Venture North Funding & Development are behind the new development, slated for a 1.7 acre vacant lot on the west side of Garfield Road between Boyd and Hannah avenues. TraverseConnect CEO Doug Luciani said the company hopes to break ground this fall on the apartments, which will be rented out “below market rate” to increase the affordable housing stock in the community. The site could be ready for occupancy late next year.

WASHINGTON PLACE

The five-story mixed-use Washington Place development at the corner of Washington and Cass streets is now complete and open to residents. Developer Tom McIntyre said 22 of the 24 residential condos in the building are sold, and he expects “to have most of the residents moved in the by the end of this month, with a few more moving in by June.” The project also features three commercial units, all of which are sold.

WINDWARD CONDOMINIUMS

Construction is nearing completion on Windward Condominiums, a three-story, 27,555 square-foot mixed-use building on Randolph Street between Tilley’s Party Store and Bay Bread. The Socks Construction project will feature 1,600 square-foot residential condos on the top two floors. Each unit will feature two bedrooms and two baths. Condos are listed for $489,000.

ELSEWHERE IN NORTHERN MICHIGAN…

Gaylord

NORTHWIND APARTMENT HOMES

Construction is underway on a 48-unit affordable housing complex on the site of the former Gaylord Feed and Grain property at the corner of Indiana Avenue and Mitchell Street. Northwind Apartment Homes will feature 24 one-bedroom and 24 two-bedroom units in a four-story building featuring Gaylord’s traditional Alpine architecture. Excel Realty Group is overseeing the project. Construction is targeted for completion by the end of 2016/early 2017.

Elk Rapids

CORNERSTONE COURT TOWNHOMES

Elk Rapids planning commissioners will review a planned unit development (PUD) on June 28 for a proposed 56-unit apartment complex called Cornerstone Court Townhomes. The project is backed by nonprofit corporation Northern Homes Community Development Corporation, and it calls for two phases of construction, both containing 28 affordable workplace dwelling units.

Each apartment will have two bedrooms, 1.5 baths, a front porch, and private entry. The project is slated for the Elk Rapids Bible Church property at 400 East Third Street.

Mackinac Island

WEST PAC DEVELOPMENT

A proposed Mackinac Island housing complex that would offer employee housing and affordable apartments for over 200 occupants on two acres near Forest Drive faces a lengthy review process this year before it can proceed. Mackinac Island planning commissioners denied the project application in February because the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) hadn’t reviewed the property’s septic system. Developers met with DEQ officials in March and are continuing to fine-tune plans with the goal of reapplying to the planning commission once plans are approved by the DEQ. The complex would consist of seven twostory buildings offering 107 bedrooms and 41 apartments.

Northport

NORTHPORT HEIGHTS

The former Leelanau Memorial Health Center could soon be the site of a 36-unit affordable housing complex. Leelanau Township Board members approved a paymentin-lieu-of-taxes (PILOT) agreement with The Woda Group in February that would provide tax abatements for the project in exchange for the company providing below-market-rate rental units. Woda is now waiting to hear whether the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSH- DA) will grant the funding necessary for the project to proceed. If approved, the development will offer a mix of one-, two-, and three-bedroom units for low- and mediumincome households.

Cadillac

CADILLAC JUNCTION

A major mixed-used development on 142 acres could bring several national retailers, a gas station, a senior living center and 120 residential apartments to the corner near US-131 and M-55. But while Cadillac city council members approved zoning changes in March that will allow the project to proceed, the development still faces legal hurdles. The Michigan Supreme Court will hear two cases this fall related to taxing jurisdiction for the property, which could delay or even shut down development. But owner TeriDee LLC has indicated it plans to proceed with project plans until or unless development is stayed by the courts.

Cheboygan

HERITAGE COVE FARM

Cheboygan County planning commissioners approved a special use permit earlier this year for Heritage Cove Farm, a residential therapeutic farm south of Grandview Beach Road in Tuscarora Township. Larry and Betsy Hanson plan to provide living space and therapy — including hands-on farm activities and life skills coaching — for adults with mental illness. The site’s firstphase plans will accommodate 12 residents for short-term housing, with capacity increased to 24 residents in its second phase.

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