Michigan Economic Development Grant Funds Boston Square Apartment Project As Grand Rapids Neighborhood Revitalization Continues

State Funding Supports New Mixed-Income Housing in Southeast Grand Rapids

GRAND RAPIDS, MI — A 45-unit mixed-income apartment building under construction in Grand Rapids' Boston Square neighborhood has received a $1.3 million grant from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation as part of the state's Revitalization and Placemaking program.

The project, located at 1480 Kalamazoo Ave. SE, is being developed by Amplify GR, a community development group focused on neighborhood revitalization. The building includes 10,000 square feet of ground floor space for a food hall and is estimated to cost $25 million in total.

The MEDC grant will help Amplify GR meet its goal of providing more housing and business ownership opportunities in the neighborhood. Construction began in January and the building is expected to be completed by July 2027.

Housing Mix and Income Thresholds

The development features a mix of market-rate and affordable housing units:

• 36 units will be reserved for households earning up to 60% of the area median income
• 9 units will be offered at market rate

For context, the 60% area median income threshold equals $51,120 annually for a two-person household in Kent County.

The apartments will offer one-, two-, and three-bedroom units designed to serve various household compositions.

Food Hall and Community Space

Beyond residential units, the project includes significant community infrastructure. The food hall is envisioned as both a neighborhood gathering space and an incubator for local food businesses.

Early plans call for:

• Space for six food vendors
• Shared seating area
• Potentially a bar

The $25 million budget does not include the interior construction of the food hall, which is estimated to require an additional $3 million to $5 million. Amplify will need to raise those funds separately.

Part of Larger Boston Square Together Plan

This project represents the F3 phase of the broader Boston Square Together project, a comprehensive 10-acre redevelopment plan. The project aims to increase housing, commercial space for entrepreneurs, and community amenities throughout the neighborhood.

In addition to the F3 building, Amplify GR has developed several other projects in Boston Square:

• Kabo Flats, a $30 million, 57-unit mixed-income apartment building expected to open in June
• A $27 million community center
• A $600,000 commercial kitchen for food entrepreneurs

State and Local Funding Support

Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced the project on March 31, 2026, alongside similar developments in Saline. Together with the Saline projects, the Grand Rapids development will generate a total capital investment of over $33 million in the state.

The project receives support from multiple funding sources:

• $1.3 million from the MEDC's RAP program
• $400,000 HOME grant from the City of Grand Rapids

The RAP program provides access to gap financing for place-based infrastructure development and real estate rehabilitation and development as part of the state's Make It in Michigan economic development strategy.

Development Partners

The project involves several development entities working together:

• BSQ Together I LDHA, LLC serves as the development entity
• The project is backed by Brinshore Development, LLC, a private firm specializing in affordable and mixed-income housing development founded in 1994
• Amplify GR, founded in 2018, focuses on securing economic pathways for residents of designated neighborhoods in Grand Rapids

Amplify GR utilizes a holistic approach to community partnership and revitalization modeled after Purpose Built Communities, a nonprofit organization headquartered in Atlanta.

Neighborhood Context

Boston Square is located on Grand Rapids' southeast side. The neighborhood has been the focus of significant revitalization efforts over recent years as the city works to address disinvestment and create economic opportunities for residents.

The project builds on momentum from previous developments in the area and continues the broader effort to transform Boston Square into a thriving mixed-use community with housing, commercial space, and community amenities.