850 New Homes Coming to Southeast, Mid-Michigan, Creating 700 Jobs

MSF Board uses comprehensive economic toolkit to support ‘Make It In Michigan’ economic development strategy on behalf of people, places and projects

LANSING, Mich. – Today, Governor Whitmer announced approval for over 850 housing units across the state of Michigan, as well as over 700 new jobs and $65 million in private investment, spurring economic activity in underutilized and historically disadvantaged communities across the state. 

“We are supporting projects to build more than 850 units of housing across Michigan so we can keep expanding our housing supply and driving down costs for buyers and renters,” said Governor Gretchen Whitmer. “These projects will create more than 700 good-paying jobs and drive more than $65 million of private investment into Pontiac, Lansing, and Detroit, making each city a better place to live. Our housing strategy of ‘build, baby, build’ will keep moving forward so we can help more Michigander find an affordable place to live and have a great quality of life. Let’s keep getting it done.” 

“Today’s actions by the MSF Board demonstrate our ongoing commitment to the Make it in Michigan economic framework supporting People, Places, and Projects of all sizes through creative solutions to some of the most pressing issues facing our state, our employers, and existing and pending talent, including housing,” said Quentin L. Messer, Jr., CEO of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and Chair of the MSF Board. “While work remains, I’m pleased to be starting 2025 with impactful placemaking efforts that will directly impact People by providing the peace of mind that comes with a physical space and community to call their home.”  

 

Pontiac Receives Support for More Than 280 Housing Units, Downtown Revitalization Efforts 

Overview: The City of Pontiac (Oakland County) will see new housing, tech office, creative/maker space, and hospitality opportunities with the support of a $79.2 million Transformational Brownfield Plan (TBP) approved by the MSF Board today, reimbursable over 25 years. The project will invest at least $105 million across three buildings:  

• The Exchange Flats, creating a nine-story building containing 287 residential units;  

• 91 North Saginaw (El Centro), redeveloping an existing four-story building to include restaurant/hospitality, meeting space, and creative/traditional office and flex space; and  
• 48 West Huron (Tech and Arts), redeveloping a three-story building to include a food hall, event, and traditional office space. 

“We are extremely grateful for the support from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and Michigan Strategic Fund toward Exchange Pontiac, a catalytic mixed-use development at M-59 and Woodward. Today’s approval of the Transformational Brownfield for this project is a testament to the vision, tenacity and optimism for growth and prosperity in the City of Pontiac,” said Developer Dennis Griffin. “Economic development is a people process. The encouragement, patience, and skillful dedication from so many people toward gaining needed incentives for this Project with the singular goal of making a positive impact on the City as a whole is humbling. Pontiac is a very beautiful city with a constituency of wonderful, talented and dedicated people. We hope others take note of the opportunities in Pontiac, ‘The Heart of Oakland County,’ and bring resources to help support its continued growth.” 

 

Why It Matters: Pontiac’s core was once a thriving center of arts, culture, banking and governmental services, with surrounding areas linked to the automotive industry. While smaller-scale opportunities have come and gone over the last several decades, little in the way of a large-scale, transformational investment like this opportunity has occurred, despite the city’s proximity to a nationally recognized university, best-in-class hospital systems, and global automotive OEMs and suppliers. 

As such, supporting this project expects to serve as a catalyst for the reinvention and reimagination of a once highly sought-after community. Further, through an Affordable Housing Agreement with the developer and the City of Pontiac, the planned residential portion of the project will reserve nearly 60 units as affordable at 80% of the Oakland County Area Median Income. 

What They’re Saying: “We here at Oakland County are thrilled with this exciting project coming to downtown Pontiac,” said Brad Hansen, Senior Business Development representative for Oakland County. “Not only will it bring needed housing to the downtown, but it will also work in concert with other developments to breathe life into the downtown.” 

“The Exchange Pontiac project is truly transformational for our community,” said Pontiac Mayor Tim Greimel. “By redeveloping the vacant Oakland Press building, rejuvenating the former Federal Department Store building, and constructing a brand new 287-unit apartment building, it will bring needed housing to our city and inject new life into our downtown.” 

The City of Pontiac is also supporting the project in multiple ways, including with an Obsolete Property Rehabilitation Act tax abatement, approved in December 2023, for two properties (valued at $1.27 million over 12 years). A Neighborhood Enterprise Zone tax abatement, estimated for approval in Spring 2027, for 15 years is also anticipated (the amount will be determined at that time). Finally, the project has also been approved to utilize the local portion of the property tax capture component of the Brownfield TIF (valued at $9.79 million).   

  

Lansing Secures Investment for More Than 560 Housing Units, Mixed-Use Properties 

 

Overview: New Vision Lansing, LLC, and the City of Lansing (Ingham County) received MSF Board approval for a TBP up to $202.2 million, reimbursable over 30 years, to create more than 560 units of housing and increase the connectivity of Lansing’s diverse neighborhoods to improve overall economic vibrancy. The project includes: 

• Tower on the Grand: Construction of a 26-story, mixed-use tower containing 287 residential units and commercial/retail space in both the tower and the Atrium Office Building. A two-story parking facility spanning Grand Avenue will support tenants and potential retail customers. 

• Washington Square: Redevelopment of a 10-story former office building into a mixed-use building containing 60 residential units and first floor retail space, as well as three-story parking deck. 

• Capitol Tower: New construction of a six-story, mixed-use office space and 105 residential units. 

• Old Town: New construction of a seven-story, mixed-use building with two floors of integrated parking and five stories of residential space containing 90 units. 

• Ingham Building: Redevelopment of a five-story, mixed-use building containing first floor retail commercial space and 25 residential units on upper floors. 

Why It Matters: Like other major cities across Michigan and the nation, the city of Lansing has seen significant shifts in pedestrian traffic in its core areas due in part to the change in working conditions (e.g. remote work) of its primary employers post-pandemic, and the city is responding to those market conditions. MSF support of such a project helps keep Lansing – and other cities like it – on a path of economic viability while meeting modern demands for housing, retail, and entertainment instead.  

 

“Lansing needs more housing options, and the New Vision Lansing project will change both the trajectory of our city and our skyline!” said Lansing Mayor Andy Schor. “It will provide important housing for those that want to live downtown and in Old Town, two key business corridors in Lansing. In the coming years, with hundreds more people living downtown, we have the chance to make downtown and Old Town even more active and vibrant. I appreciate that the MSF Board agrees with this vision and has approved the transformational brownfield plan for the Capital City.”  

What They’re Saying: “The NVL Projects will revitalize downtown Lansing by attracting more residents, businesses, customers, and visitors,” said Karl Dorshimer, President and CEO of the Lansing Economic Development Corporation. “The transformational brownfield plan creates a strong public-private partnership between MEDC, the City of Lansing, Lansing EDC, and Gentilozzi Real Estate to make Lansing a better place for everyone.” 

“Today's vote by the Michigan Strategic Fund Board marks a major step forward for living and working in Downtown Lansing.  We thank the Board for their time and diligence in reviewing and approving our plan. The Transformational Brownfield Plan approved today is essential to launching the five projects that will bring a renewed vibrancy to Downtown Lansing. A project of this magnitude is only possible with great cooperation and support at the state and local level,” said Paul Gentilozzi, Managing Partner New Vision Lansing. “We specifically thank Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Senator Sarah Anthony, Representative Angela Witwer, Mayor Andy Schor, and the Lansing City Council for their efforts to support this project, and for fostering an environment in Michigan where ambitious projects such as this are allowed to grow and thrive. Finally, we thank Price Dobernick and the Lansing Local Union Trades. The men and women they represent are Lansing's best, and it will take our combined efforts to move Lansing toward a New Vision.” 

 

Aria Development to Create 32 New Residential Units on Detroit’s Southwest Side 

Overview: A Michigan Community Revitalization Program (MCRP) performance-based loan for up to $2.4 million was approved for Aria Warren Detroit, LLC, to rehabilitate a property in the City of Detroit (Wayne County) creating 32 new residential housing units between 60 and 100% of the Area Media Income, as well as create nearly 8,000 square feet of commercial space at the Arthur Murray Building, which was previously home to a dance studio. The project expects to be an overall capital investment of more $15.6 million. 

“We are deeply grateful to the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and the Michigan Strategic Fund for their support in making the Arthur Murray renovation project a reality,” said Developer W. Emery Matthews, co-founder and Managing Principal of Real Estate Interests, LLC. “The Michigan Community Revitalization Program loan is a vital tool in addressing the need for neighborhood-scale, attainable housing, and it plays a key role in revitalizing communities like ours. This project is a testament to the power of public-private collaboration in creating meaningful impact.” 

W. Emery Matthews also recently completed a renovation of The Murray, a 110-year-old structure turned apartments, in the Hubbard Farms neighborhood in Southwest Detroit.  

Why It Matters: The site to be developed is one of the largest vacant and abandoned commercial sites in the area and is in the center of the commercial space in which the city has directed its investment. Fourteen new, full-time jobs are also expected to be created with the signing of commercial tenants.

 

What They’re Saying: “The Arthur Murray project fits directly in with the City’s efforts along E. Warren Avenue to preserve and enhance important structures within the city,” said Matt Williams, Senior Advisor with the Neighborhood Economic Development Team for Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan. “The adaptive reuse of this structure will bring affordable and workforce housing units online and bring new activity to the community along the recently improved E. Warren Streetscape.” 

“The nearly $16 million investment into the Arthur Murray mixed-use redevelopment project underscores the continuing robust demand for affordable housing and retail in the city’s neighborhoods.  In total, this project has six different equity and debt sources in its capital stack,” said David Howell, Vice President of Business Services at Detroit Economic Growth Corporation (DEGC). “The DEGC, City of Detroit, and the MEDC have worked tirelessly with the project developer, Emery Mathews, to assemble a capital and incentive structure that will ultimately deliver affordable apartment units at AMI levels of 60% to 80%.  This is a fine example of a collaborative, public-private partnership.” 

  

About Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation is the state’s marketing arm and lead advocate for business development, job awareness and community development with the focus on growing Michigan’s economy. For more information on the MEDC and our initiatives, visit www.MichiganBusiness.org. For Pure Michigan® tourism information, your trip begins at www.michigan.org. Join the conversation on: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn, and Twitter.