By: Deborah Johnson Wood

The Garfield Development Corporation (GDC) recently announced an ambitious neighborhood revitalization plan to build and renovate 20 houses in Grand Rapids’ Garfield Park Neighborhood in the next year. Dubbed the Garfield Movement, organizers say the effort will revitalize and rebuild both the neighborhood and the organization.

The GDC , a nonprofit housing organization that builds houses in the Garfield Park Neighborhood for low- to moderate-income homeowners, will renovate 18 vacant or dilapidated houses and build two new Energy Star-rated homes at 134 and 136 Kirtland SW. The Kirtland homes, designed by TJA Architecture, will replace a two-story house already on the property, which will be demolished at the groundbreaking celebration next Thursday.

“We want to really make a difference in the neighborhood,” says Hillary Kooy, GDC board chair. “In the (economic) housing environment we’re in right now, we’re really going against the tide, but with 20 new houses we can actually improve property values.”

The GDC helps homeowners get funding for down payments, closing costs and renovations through HUD and MSHDA grants, and grants provided by the City of Grand Rapids. The GDC purchases the homes, invests thousands in the renovations, and resells them for the appraised value.

The GDC plans to dedicate the two new homes on Kirtland to Judge Michael R. Smolenski, who spearheaded the creation of the original Garfield Park Neighborhood Association. The GPNA founded the Garfield Development Corporation. Commemorative plaques bearing the GDC insignia and Judge Smolenski’s name will be placed on the two homes. Similar plaques, dedicated to other individuals, will be placed on each home renovated this year.

McGraw Construction will build and renovate the homes.

The groundbreaking and home demolition will be May 22 at 11 a.m. at 134 Kirtland SW.

Source: Hillary Kooy, Garfield Development Corporation

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Deborah Johnson Wood is the development news editor for Rapid Growth Media. She can be contacted at [email protected].