Grand Rapids officials review $748 million transformational brownfield package for riverfront amphitheater, soccer stadium and housing

City staff on Tuesday updated the Grand Rapids Economic Development Project Team on a transformational brownfield application that would redevelop riverfront property for an amphitheater, a soccer stadium and related private development, with construction slated to begin May 1 and component completion targeted by 2028.

The presentation, led by Miss Wood and introduced by Mr. Kloster, described a package of projects covering more than 20 acres of riverfront land including an amphitheater (just over 10 acres) and a soccer stadium (about eight acres). Miss Wood said private contributions to the publicly owned assets total roughly $30 million and that the total project investment described in the application is about $748 million. "There will be no displacement as a result of the project," Miss Wood told commissioners, and she said the package includes riverfront trail improvements and new public access points.

Why it matters: The city said the proposal meets the local threshold for the state's transformational brownfield program (Grand Rapids's minimum is about $100 million private investment) and is intended to spur adjacent private development, housing and new jobs. Staff said the application will proceed to the Brownfield Authority for a recommendation later this month and that an affordable-housing agreement tied to the project will be required for state approval.

Commissioners pressed city staff on workforce and inclusion details. Commissioner (S6) asked for more information about the types of jobs and how residents will access them; Miss Wood said the project will generate a range of positions from part-time event staff to higher-skilled full-time roles and cited past operator practice of hiring locally. On minority, women-owned and micro-local business participation, Miss Wood said the package expects more than $14 million in participation across the projects. "We have a wide range of skills that will be necessary," she said, noting opportunities for vendors and subcontractor relationships.

Staff and commissioners also discussed the inclusion plan's limits and accountability. Mr. Kloster and Miss Wood described the inclusion plan as voluntary but monitored: they said some scopes of work are too specialized to be sourced locally, so the city focuses on increasing demand and building capacity through subcontracting and partnership programs. "There are opportunities for engagement that don't always show up as a dollar amount but as access to opportunity," Mr. Kloster said.

Traffic, transit and pedestrian design were additional focus areas. The planning commission approved the stadium special land use with conditions requiring improved pedestrian-facing facade treatments (more transparency, public art or different materials) and additional work on the pedestrian experience. Planning commissioners also required collaboration with the transit provider and planners to evaluate direct bus connections and a traffic management plan for events. Planning staff told the commission that parking data suggested no additional public parking was required and that arrangements with nearby Grand Valley holdings were being explored.

Affordable housing and timing: Staff told commissioners that developers for the housing components are not yet identified. To satisfy state transformational-brownfield requirements, staff said the city would seek an affordable-housing agreement with Grand Action that would be assignable to a future developer and obligate that developer to one of two packet options in the meeting materials: either an on-site affordability component or a contribution to an affordable-housing fund. Mr. Kloster said the city expects to return with a more specific recommendation once a developer and financing are clearer, likely within 6 to 12 months.

Environmental incentives and grants: Commissioners asked whether the project could leverage federal incentives such as programs under the Inflation Reduction Act. City staff said they are tracking numerous geographically specific grant opportunities and will brief the fiscal committee on specific grant applications in the coming weeks.

What's next: The application will come before the Brownfield Authority for a recommendation later this month; staff will return to the commission with a recommendation and more detailed numbers on inclusion outcomes and affordable-housing obligations once developers and financing are more defined.