WOOD Radio Local News

WOOD Radio Local News

WOOD Radio Local News

 

AmplifyGR breaks ground on Boston Square housing/retail development

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- After six years of community engagement, the nonprofit organization AmplifyGR broke ground Thursday afternoon on the first phase of its mixed-use housing development in Grand Rapids' Boston Square neighborhood.

The project will include 57 apartments and nearly 5,000-square feet of commercial retail space for entrepreneurs on the ground floor of the building at 1470 Kalamazoo Ave. SE, which is between Adams and Boston streets.

This latest development represents the second phase of the Boston Square Together redevelopment, so it is being called the "F2" building.

"It's really focused on local and minority-owned businesses here in Boston Square," Jon Ippel told WOOD Radio in a phone interview. He is executive director of Amplify GR.

The property previously was occupied by Standard Kitchens.

Besides Ippel, Grand Rapids Mayor Rosalynn Bliss, and Kent County Board of Commissioners Chairman Stan Stek were among those speaking at the ceremony. Also on the speaker docket were housing partner Brinshore Development's Peter Levavi and general contractor Rockford Construction's Brad Mathis, as well as AmplifyGR board of directors Chair Kenyatta Brame.

Construction work will begin next week, and the project is scheduled to wrap up in time for the four-story building to open in 2026.

"It's so exciting," Ippel said, noting that the F2 building is part of the larger Boston Square Together redevelopment that has been occurring in a nine-acre section of the neighborhood.

"We have under construction a community center - 47,000 square feet - that will include an early learning center, a Corewell Health clinic, as well as youth program. And then, we have several other projects that are in the works. We'll have two retail incubating buildings that we'll start construction (on) later this fall," Ippel said.

The Rev. Kenneth Hoskins, executive director of Oakdale Neighbors, was also on the list of those making remarks at the ceremony.

Here are more details from a Clark Communications news release:

Known as “F2 Building” (F is for family) within the Boston Square Together Site Plan, the structure is expected to be completed in 2026. The building captures and delivers on a priority expressed by neighbors to have mixed-income housing for their community.

The four-story, 57-unit building will feature three rental options:

  • 17 one-bedroom units
  • 30 two-bedroom units
  • 10 three-bedroom units

The units will be designated as “mixed-income and affordable,” meaning:

  • 80% are reserved for families earning between 20-60% Area Media Income (AMI)
  • 20% are reserved for “missing middle” housing 80% and above AMI

The process for applying for the units has yet to be confirmed. Project officials hope to finalize and share that information shortly.

The building will offer nearly 5,000 SF of commercial retail space on the ground floor. Project leaders hope to attract local entrepreneurs looking for high visibility in a collaborative environment within the high-traffic Boston Square Business District. Amplify GR is exploring a community ownership pilot for the space.

The design and scope of the F2 project was informed through a community process facilitated in 2019 by Boston Square Together partners and continuing today through monthly engagement from a Neighborhood Advisory Committee. UrbanWorks was the lead architect, Brinshore Development is the development partner and Rockford Construction is leading construction.

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An overhead rendering of the new F2 mixed-use apartment building on Kalamazoo Avenue in southeast Grand Rapids. It will have 57 units and ground-floor commercial retail space for entrepreneurs when it opens in 2026. Photo: Photos from: AmplifyGR and Clark Communications.

A streetside rendering of the future four-story 'F2' affordable rental housing and retail building in the Boston Square neighborhood. Photo: Photos courtesy: AmplifyGR and Clark Communications.


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