More down town construction is on its way: The Hinman Company, Portage, Michigan based, will break ground within the next 60-90 days on a 146-room Marriott Residence Inn, located on current “brownfield” designated land. The Grand Rapids City Commissioners okayed a reimbursement request, which should provide this developer with a $2.2 million savings from taxes (over several years’ time), while providing our city with environmental clean-up and the costs associated with it. This project is also the recipient of a $1.4 million-dollar grant from our city’s Downtown Development Authority.
Along with this positive news, the Inn will help support our Arena, the Convention Center and aide in sustaining the retail sector. This $36 million project features 5,555 square feet of ground floor retail space (no tenant leases in place currently) and an overhead walkway from a 30 Ionia parking ramp.