Governor Whitmer Header

*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE* 

April 22, 2025 

Contact: [email protected] 

 

*Gov. Whitmer Announces Approval for 1,220 Housing Units, Community Vibrancy in Muskegon, Southfield and Ferndale* 

 

*LANSING, Mich.* – Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced Michigan Strategic Fund (MSF) Board support for placemaking projects that will add critical housing, commercial space and vibrancy to Muskegon, Southfield and Ferndale. The projects build on the state’s ‘Make It in Michigan’ economic development strategy through developing attractive, thriving communities where people want to live and businesses want to grow. 

 

“Today’s projects will build 1,220 homes across Muskegon, Southfield, and Ferndale and make these cities even better places to live, work, invest, or visit,” said *Governor Whitmer*. “With support from the MSF Board, we’re turning empty spaces into vibrant places, adding new housing, commercial space, and parks. These projects will help us continue our mission to help anyone ‘make it’ in Michigan. Let’s keep working together to make cities and towns across Michigan great places to live.” 

  

“To build a Michigan where everyone can ‘Make It,’ we must invest in the places that people call home,” said *Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II*. “This support for community revitalization projects is helping transform neighborhoods, strengthen local economies, and create more vibrant, welcoming spaces for Michiganders. Let’s keep standing tall for community development so every person can build a great life right here in Michigan.” 

  

“Developing attractive places and revitalizing communities are a key pillar in the state’s ‘Make It in Michigan’ economic development strategy of supporting People, Places, and Projects,” said *Quentin L. Messer, Jr., CEO of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and Chair of the MSF Board*. “Today’s approved projects continue to deliver on this strategy for fellow Michiganders. I’m grateful to Governor Whitmer, our bipartisan partners in the state legislature, and the volunteer MSF Board for their ongoing support of the critical economic development placemaking tools needed to make these projects a reality. Work remains, however, but the approvals of these projects are additional steps forward in ensuring all Michiganders live in vibrant communities as the state addresses growing workplace housing demand.” 

  

*Transformational Brownfield Plan to convert vacant industrial space into lively mixed-use district in City of Muskegon, adding 571 residential units* 

 

*Overview: *The MSF Board approved a Transformational Brownfield Plan (TBP) incentive package to support a redevelopment project at a former furniture manufacturing site in the *City of Muskegon*, adding critical housing, commercial space and a parking garage to the area while serving as a catalyst for future investment.  

 

The $159,598,389 TBP package requested by the City of Muskegon Brownfield Redevelopment Authority and developer Parkland Properties of Michigan [ [link removed] ] will support redevelopment across seven buildings, creating an estimated 571 residential units and 74,549 square feet of commercial space, including the parking garage. When complete, the project is anticipated to create 200 full-time jobs and bring an estimated total capital investment of $221,335,800.  

 

Jon Rooks, president and founder of Parkland Properties of Michigan, founded the Parkland family of companies in 1988; today, the company is one of the largest real estate development firms in West Michigan with over two million square feet of building space currently developed or under development.   

 

*Why It Matters: *The project site is prominently located on the south side of the city and is the main redevelopment priority for Muskegon. The project will result in a lively mixed-use development and will include much-needed housing units. When completed, the project will have a transformational impact on local economic development and community revitalization. As development continues to occur, it is anticipated that the city and region will experience both population growth and long-term prosperity. It is anticipated that the successful construction of the project will have a transformational impact on the area, creating broader residential, business, entrepreneurial and retail uses in the area surrounding the project. As the city actively works to become a vibrant lakeshore community, this project plays a key role in realizing that vision, building on the City of Muskegon’s certification as a Redevelopment Ready Community [ [link removed] ] in 2016. 

 

*What They’re Saying*: 

“On behalf of Parkland Properties of Michigan and the greater Muskegon community, we extend our sincere appreciation to the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, the Michigan Strategic Fund and the City of Muskegon for their unrelenting support of the transformational Shaw Walker project,” said *Jon Rooks, president/founder of Parkland Properties of Michigan*. “Beginning in 1899, the Shaw Walker Furniture Company grew from an idea into the largest manufacturer of furniture and filing equipment in the world. For over a century, these factory buildings have stood tall on the shores of Muskegon Lake embodying an era of vision and ambition. While the factory operations are no longer, these buildings have an opportunity to continue to support the needs of their community by providing over 500 housing units and space for supporting businesses. A project of this size and nature is complicated; we appreciate the public-private-partnership that will enable these buildings to continue to stand tall for future generations.”  

 

“The City of Muskegon is grateful to the Michigan Strategic Fund Board for their consideration and approval of the Shaw Walker Project Transformational Brownfield,” said *Jake Eckholm, director of Development Services with the City of Muskegon*. “This facility has long been our community’s largest and most visible eyesore, and Parkland has stepped up to turn it into a once-in-a-generation asset. Given our severe housing shortage, the strong residential demand in our traditional downtown, and the desire our residents have to beautify their neighborhoods, it would be hard to imagine a more beneficial project. The work done by Parkland, City staff and the team at MEDC on this endeavor truly exemplifies a mutually beneficial public private partnership that will deliver great outcomes for the residents we serve.” 

  

*Transformational Brownfield Plan to add 577 housing units, commercial space, community amenities to City of Southfield* 

 

*Overview: *The MSF Board approved a Transformational Brownfield Plan (TBP) incentive package to support a multi-building redevelopment project that will reinvigorate blighted, vacant land in the center core of the *City of Southfield* through added housing, commercial space and community amenities.  

 

The $131,822,436 TBP package requested by the City of Southfield Brownfield Redevelopment Authority and developer Middlepointe [ [link removed] ] Investment Group LLC includes construction of a walkable, high-density mixed-use development including three multi-story, mixed-use buildings, a single-story retail structure and one multi-story parking deck with ground-floor retail.  

 

In total, the project is planned to include 577 residential units, surface and structured parking spaces and 42,665 square feet of retail and commercial space. The project also includes two pocket parks and a pedestrian greenway connecting Southfield’s central park with development to the west. It is anticipated the overall project will create 100 full-time jobs and bring a total capital investment of $209,552,970. 

 

The development team is led by Hassan Jawad, a seasoned real estate investor and developer with a longstanding track record of delivering transformative projects across Michigan. Under his leadership, the Middlepointe Development Team brings deep collective expertise across real estate acquisition, finance, construction, and asset management. The team has successfully developed and managed hundreds of residential units and significant commercial square footage, including office, retail, and mixed-use developments throughout Southeast Michigan.   

 

*Why It Matters: *This transformational project will usher in a new era for the City of Southfield by attracting talent and businesses to the region, while linking existing assets and employment centers to help them grow through place-based investment. When complete, the project will provide housing, commercial spaces, community green space and other amenities that will help to catalyze additional development and investment in the city while creating a transformational impact on local economic development and community revitalization. 

 

The Middlepointe development builds on placemaking efforts for the City of Southfield, which became a Certified Redevelopment Ready Community [ [link removed] ] in 2016. 

 

*What They’re Saying*: 

"We're grateful to the Michigan Strategic Fund and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation for their support of the Middlepointe Development," *said Hassan Jawad, president of Middlepointe Investment Group*. "This project represents a major investment in Southfield and the broader Southeast Michigan region4one that will create jobs, attract new businesses, and help meet the growing demand for high-quality, affordable housing. Middlepointe is about more than buildings – it's about building opportunity, strengthening the Southfield City Centre, and contributing to a more inclusive and economically vibrant community." 

 

“This is more than a redevelopment—it’s a rebirth,” said *Southfield Mayor Dr. Ken Siver*. “The Middlepointe project will bring much-needed residential density, economic activity, and walkability to our City Centre. It’s a transformative investment in our future and a shining example of how public-private partnerships can reshape communities in profound and productive ways.” 

 

“Revitalizing this long-vacant property in the heart of Southfield will contribute to a vibrant, thriving city center,” said *state Senator Jeremy Moss (D-Southfield)*. “I’ve supported this project for years, and I’m excited to see it make real progress, with the promising potential to bring jobs, housing, public parks, and walking paths — everything a community needs to be welcoming. Thank you to the MSF Board, the City of Southfield, and the developers for helping move our city forward.”   

 

“I’ve supported this project since my time on Southfield City Council in 2019, and it’s incredibly rewarding to see it moving forward,” said* State Representative Jason Hoskins (D-Southfield). *“This transformational redevelopment will breathe new life into the heart of Southfield -- turning long-vacant land into a vibrant, walkable community hub. With new housing, commercial spaces, green amenities, and jobs, this project represents more than bricks and mortar -- it’s an investment in Southfield’s future and a catalyst for inclusive growth, talent attraction, and long-term revitalization.” 

 

*Redevelopment to convert blighted parking lot into mixed-use project, adding critical housing to City of Ferndale* 

 

*Overview*: A blighted surface parking lot in the *City of Ferndale* will be converted into a multi-family, four-story, mixed-use property with 72 residential units and commercial space, adding housing and residential density to the community.  

 

The residential component of the Vester Flats project, located at 141 Vester Street, will be comprised of a mix of 45 studio units, 21 one-bedroom units, and six two-bedroom units. In addition, the first floor includes approximately 1,585 square feet of commercial space. A total of 54 parking spaces are provided, integrated under and located behind the building.  

 

The MSF board approved a Michigan Community Revitalization Program direct loan of $3,950,000 to support the project, which will have a total anticipated capital investment of $22,252,990. The City of Ferndale has also supported the project with a Workforce PILOT valued at approximately $4.4 million over 15 years. 

 

*Why It Matters*: In addition to creating mixed-income housing for the City of Ferndale, the redevelopment project will include public improvements for a more pedestrian-oriented streetscape along Vester Street and the adjacent alleyway. The project will also add public art and upgrades to the water and sewer service, providing cultural interest and infrastructure improvements to the area. 

Led by Matthew Walters, the development team is comprised of a group of developers who have worked in both the public and private sectors, with over $1 billion worth of mixed-use development, historic renovations and ground-up development in Detroit, Metro Detroit, Ann Arbor and Grand Rapids. 

 

The project builds on placemaking prioritization in the City of Ferndale, which became a Certified Redevelopment Ready Community [ [link removed] ] in 2017.  

 

*What They’re Saying*: 

“Walters Group is proud and excited to be a part of the vibrant Ferndale community,” said *Walters Group CEO Matt Walters*. “The Vester Flats mixed use project will provide new workforce housing that is much needed throughout the State of Michigan. This project is a testament of the public private partnership between the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, the Oakland County Housing Trust Fund and the City of Ferndale.” 

 

“The City of Ferndale is excited to support this mixed-use, transit oriented, workforce housing project within our downtown corridor,” said *City of Ferndale Community and Economic Development Director Roger Caruso*. “This will make a real impact on people who want to live, work, and play in our city.  It can’t go unmentioned that this project would not have come to fruition if it weren’t for the financial participation from Oakland County and the State of Michigan, particularly the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.” 

 

*MSF Board approves additional projects that build on state’s innovation and knowledge economy* 

In addition to the approved placemaking projects, the MSF Board voted in support of the following projects: 


* A new health facility from Grand Rapids-based BAMF Health [ [link removed] ], a leader in diagnosing and treating diseases such as cancer and Alzheimer’s since 2018. The project is expected to create up to 90 new jobs and generate at least $93,756,533 in total capital investment for Wayne County with support from a $1.5 million Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant and approval of a 15-year 100% SESA Exemption with an estimated value of up to $982,000 for its $45,000,000 eligible investment in Eligible Personal Property. Read more about the project here. 

* Following MSF Board approval [ [link removed] ] in March 2025 for the transfer of ownership of Lansing’s battery plant to LG Energy Solution and Lansing City Council approval in April, the Board approved a reassignment and amendment to the Renewable Energy Renaissance Zone. This action will further ensure the project stays on track and high-tech, high-paying jobs and battery manufacturing remain in Michigan. 

* The MSF Board also approved the creation of the Michigan Innovation Fund Program, which is designed to foster venture development, early-stage investment and economic growth in Michigan. The program, with an initial funding of $60 million from the Michigan Early Stage Venture Investment Fund, will help to advance economic development by supporting evergreen venture funds, emerging evergreen funds and nonprofit organizations that assist in developing and scaling early-stage companies. 

 

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