Downtown GH building to become restaurant, housing
A vacant downtown building two blocks from the Grand Haven waterfront will be transformed into a ground-floor restaurant and upper-level apartments, part of a pair of state-backed redevelopment projects announced by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.
LANSING — A vacant downtown building two blocks from the Grand Haven waterfront will be transformed into a ground-floor restaurant and upper-level apartments, part of a pair of state-backed redevelopment projects announced by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.
Together with a historic rehabilitation project in the Upper Peninsula village of Calumet, the initiatives represent more than $5.9 million in combined capital investments designed to expand attainable housing and commercial space across Michigan. The developments are supported by the state’s bipartisan Revitalization and Placemaking program and the Michigan Community Revitalization Program.
West Michigan focus: Grand Haven
Located in a high-traffic pedestrian corridor at 123 Washington Ave., the former site of longtime business Floto's Gifts — which closed in August 2024 — the Grand Haven redevelopment will turn an underutilized downtown building into a vibrant mixed-use property.
The $2.28 million project, led by developer Andrew Todtz, will feature a new restaurant on the first floor, three two-bedroom apartments on the second level, and a shared rooftop patio for tenants.
Funding and tax support for the Grand Haven property includes:
- $390,000 performance-based MCRP grant from the Michigan Economic Development Corp.
- $589,800 in proposed Michigan State Housing Development Authority Housing Brownfield Tax Increment Financing, with $305,293 anticipated from local tax increment revenues.
"The redevelopment of 123 Washington is a great example of the type of investment we want to encourage in Grand Haven," said Assistant City Manager Dana Kollewehr, noting that the project will strengthen the downtown core, support local businesses, and create needed housing options.
State Sen. Roger Victory (R-Hudsonville) added that creating vibrant communities with attainable housing helps West Michigan attract and retain young talent graduating from regional colleges and universities.
“This investment will put a vacant building in the heart of Grand Haven back to productive use while adding new commercial space and much-needed housing opportunities," Victory said.
Upper Peninsula focus: Calumet
Across the state in the Village of Calumet, a $3.67 million redevelopment project will restore two long-vacant historic buildings at 425 and 427 5th St.
Led by Nathan McParlan of MCP Properties LLC, the project will convert the structures into three commercial spaces and seven downtown residential apartments aimed at workforce housing (50%-100% of Area Median Income). The initiative is anchored by a $1.1 million RAP grant, alongside contributions from the Calumet Downtown Development Authority and the Houghton County Land Bank.
“Today’s announcement will help make Michigan communities even better places to live, work, and invest in,” Whitmer said in a statement highlighting both regional projects.
— Sarah Leach is the executive editor of the Ottawa News Network. Contact her at sleach@ottawanewsnetwork.org. Follow her on Twitter @ONNLeach.
