New strip mall among projects considered by Grand Rapids-area planners in April
Posted By: mlive on April 30, 2025. For more information, please click here to read the source article.
A proposed new strip mall, an athletic training facility, and a new housing development were among projects considered by Grand Rapids-area planners this month. Several proposed developments went before local planning commissions and city leaders for various stages of approval in April. Here is a look at four developments that residents could see come to life across the Grand Rapids area. Projects are in various stages of planning, and construction timelines are contingent on final approval from the local municipality.
Strip mall proposed in Caledonia Township
An 11,143-square-foot retail strip mall has been proposed on a trunkline highway in Caledonia Township, just south of Grand Rapids. The commercial building is being eyed in Caledonia Township on Broadmoor Avenue, or M-37, on two parcels of vacant land where Broadmoor connects with Kraft Avenue. The building is being proposed to have retail spaces, a carry-out restaurant and 53 parking spaces, township planner Lynee Wells said at the planning commission’s April 21 meeting. The township has sent the plan to the Michigan Department of Transportation, which indicated it would like to see a traffic study completed on where the driveway should be placed and whether a right-turn lane is required, Wells said. The planning commission discussed several concerns about the project at this month’s meeting, including concerns about architectural standards compliance, parking along Broadmoor, and the overall aesthetic impact of the building, located on a busy thoroughfare. No tenants have been identified yet for the project. The project was tabled for future consideration pending revisions and further information from applicants.
New soccer training facility
Wyoming planning commissioners advanced a proposal for a new athletic training facility this month. The new 6,500-square-foot indoor soccer facility would be located at 1545 Clyde Park Ave. SW. It would include two futsal courts, small viewing areas behind each goal, and bathrooms and a reception area, according to site plans submitted to the city. The courts would be available for rentals, pick-up games and leagues, and private training sessions. The planning commission voted unanimously on April 15 to grant site plan approval for the project. The facility was requested by 320 Futbol LLC and Joe Chatel, according to the planning commission’s April 15 agenda packet. The facility would be located on 32 acres of property at 1701 Clyde Park Ave. SW, which has several other buildings. The hours of operation have been proposed as 5:30-11 p.m. on weekdays and 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekends.
Kentwood Department of Public Works expansion
An expansion project is being planned for the Kentwood Department of Public Works (DPW) building at 5068 Breton Ave. SE. On April 8, the city’s planning commission approved site plans for a 35,000-square-foot expansion to the DPW building. The project will also include the expansion of the building’s parking lot and construction of a fire training facility that will be used by firefighters, police officers and DPW staff. The multi-story live fire training facility will be outfitted with burn rooms, a maze system, a temperature monitoring system, a forced entry door and more. The site plans for the DPW expansion include a 3,464-square-foot office expansion and 31,640 square feet of space for vehicle and maintenance, according to the site plans approved by the planning commission. The planning commission also approved a request to rezone 17.93 acres of the site from low-density residential to Open Space.
New apartments proposed in Lowell
A new 72-unit apartment complex is being eyed in Lowell. Grand Rapids-based Wheeler Development Group is behind the proposal. The developer hasn’t submitted a complete application for the project yet but presented a basic outline of the project and the property at the Lowell Planning Commission’s April 10 meeting. The project is being proposed on the southern half of property at 1160 West Main St., which is currently owned by Greenridge Realty but is being sought for development into housing. A preliminary site plan showing what the project could look like is available in the April 10 meeting packet. The site would include three 24-unit apartment buildings, according to the plans.
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