By: Deborah Johnson Wood
The first step of a long process to approve a tax free zone for 607 Dewey St. NW in Grand Rapids is complete. The City of Grand Rapids Brownfield Redevelopment Authority approved a plan amendment on August 4 for the property, enabling the process to continue to the City Commission for a hearing and consideration of a Renaissance Zone extension. If approved, the matter moves to the county, then the state.
All of this is to enable the rehabilitation and environmental cleanup of a circa 1900s two-story factory and the surrounding property so it can be transformed into contemporary office space for Belmont-based True North, an architecture, construction and real estate investments company, and other professionals.
True North owns the development company 607 Dewey LLC, and plans to add a third story, a green roof, solar panels and micro wind turbines to the existing structure and update the facade. True North will relocate to the third story, bringing 12 professional jobs to the area and will work to attract tenants to the remaining space.
“The presence of the professional jobs and redevelopment of this structure will provide a significant contribution to the revitalization of this area,” says Grand Rapids Economic Development Director Kara Wood in a prepared statement. “This investment will also continue the revitalization of this area and provide a redevelopment showcase for urban revitalization and sustainable design.”
Source: City of Grand Rapids Economic Development Office
Deborah Johnson Wood is development news editor for Rapid Growth Media. She can be contacted at [email protected].
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