Michigan’s Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy outlined nearly $8 million in brownfield redevelopment funding on October 8 for eight projects in Detroit, Grand Rapids, Jonesville, Kalamazoo and Pontiac. The agency expects the developments to produce 687 housing units and as many as 447 jobs; those figures are projections.
The funding includes $2 million for the former Klein Tools site; $1 million each for Factory Yards, Spaulding Lofts, Shops at Vernor, and 20th and Michigan; $820,000 for The Bridge Apartments; $700,000 for Kalamazoo Plating Works; and $460,000 for Hope Shelters.
At Factory Yards in Grand Rapids, a $1 million grant supports environmental work on a 13.4-acre site. EGLE says the first mixed-use phase is expected to include at least 200 homes, 31,600 square feet of commercial space and 100 full-time and 100 part-time jobs, with completion expected in summer 2028. The full $146 million redevelopment could eventually contain as many as 450 homes.
The Jonesville project will convert a former tool-manufacturing property into apartments, retail space and a restaurant. EGLE says its $2 million allocation will pay for work including investigations, asbestos and lead abatement, contaminated-soil removal and vapor mitigation. Construction on the $20 million redevelopment is scheduled to begin in late 2026 and finish by January 2029.
The Bridge Apartments in Corktown will receive an $820,000 grant for environmental assessment and cleanup. Its 71 planned apartments are intended for tenants earning up to 80% of area median income, and the agency gives a spring 2029 opening target.
At 20th and Michigan, a $1 million grant supports the mixed-use portion of a larger development. Plans call for 104 rental homes, including 68 priced for households earning 60%–80% of area median income, and 11,682 square feet of commercial space. Occupancy is scheduled for March 2029. EGLE says its money will not fund activities directly tied to the soccer stadium, although shared infrastructure can receive proportional funding.
The October announcement follows earlier state action on some awards: July 7 State Administrative Board materials already listed grants for Factory Yards, the former Klein Tools site and Kalamazoo Plating Works.