U.S. Rep. Scholten joins GR leaders in breaking ground for Southtown Lofts

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- Some Grand Rapids leaders and state legislators held a groundbreaking ceremony Friday for a minority-owned housing project in the Southtown neighborhood.

Third District Congresswoman Hillary Scholten attended the event at 640 Eastern Ave SE. That is a few blocks north of Martin Luther King Jr. Street.

A new four-story, mixed-use building is being developed by Larlen Communications. It will feature a dozen affordable housing units called the Southtown Lofts. It also will be home a new educational lab for NextGen Media G-R, and for a nonprofit urban inspirational radio station.

Here are more details from a Seyferth PR news release:

A new 16,200-square-foot, four-story mixed-use building will replace an existing 7,290-square-foot, two-story building, located at 640 Eastern Ave. SE. The new building is being developed by non-profit Larlen Communications Inc. and will have 12 affordable housing units, called Southtown Lofts, and include a new educational lab for NexGen Media GR and Nonprofit urban inspirational radio station Power 91.9 FM WDPW.

“It is so fitting that we are kicking this off with a groundbreaking on affordable housing here in West Michigan, something we so desperately need,” Scholten said during the groundbreaking. “West Michigan is growing, and the establishment of mixed-use buildings like, Southtown Lofts, reflects that trend.

“We all know that access to housing is reaching a breaking point here in West Michigan,” Scholten added. “Utilizing mixed use developments is one of the ways that we can combat this problem and make sure that all individuals have a dignified, affordable place to live. That’s why I co-sponsored the neighborhood homes investment act, which would provide more tax credits to developers, incentivizing growth and putting more homes on the market.”

The project is made possible by grants from the City of Grand Rapids Brownfield Redevelopment fund, MSHDA, and IFF (a nonprofit Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) that champions nonprofits).

“We are breaking ground on the development that represents, not just bricks and mortar, but vision and opportunity to inspire a new chapter for our community,” Dione Boles, executive director of Larlen Communications Inc., said during the groundbreaking event. “It will provide affordable housing, valuable resources and information to West Michigan from our non-commercial, educational radio station, power 91.9 FM WDPW. It will be the home of our NexGen Media Broadcast Academy, where, through our wonderful partnership with Grand Rapids Public Schools, we will teach the next generation the power of their voice.

“This transformational four-story, mixed-use development will be a beacon of hope, a testament to what can be achieved when dedication, collaboration and dream converge,” Boles added. “We are building more than walls and ceilings. We're building foundations of inspiration and change. The new facility, once completed, will uplift lives, create bonds that unites us all. It will foster a thriving and dynamic environment where people can live, work and connect together.”

In addition to providing housing opportunities for those with 60-120 percent of the area’s medium income, the new space will allow NexGen Media GR to expand their work with middle and high school aged children, who have an interest in radio, television, film, and cinematography – the art of storytelling. The new facility will allow Power 91.9 FM to better serve the community and allow for more locally produced programming and interviews.

“Power 91.9 FM WDPW and NexGen Media GR are eager to serve our community in a new revamped space that will offer housing and learning opportunities to area residents,” said Helen Harp of Larlen Communications Inc. “NexGen Media GR offers programs and services to underserved youth in our community in partnership with the Grand Rapids Public Schools on leadership development and teach them ‘The Power of their Voice.’ This new building will allow more students to enroll in our programs and create a blueprint for a career path in broadcast communications.”

“The partnership between GRPS and NexGen Media GR has been an invaluable resource for our LOOP scholars, offering them hands-on learning opportunities in radio, podcasting, and broadcast media,” said Dr. Kyle Krol, GRPS director of Extended Learning. “With the new facility at 640 Eastern Ave., we are excited to see even more scholars engage after school with these innovative learning experiences. This redevelopment will provide our scholars with the tools and space to grow creatively, gain technical skills, and explore future career paths in the media industry.”

Construction for the new building will be done by Pinnacle Construction Group. It is expected to be complete by late 2025. Speed Architect was chosen to develop plans for the redevelopment of the site.

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