LANSING – State Representative Roy Schmidt (D-Grand Rapids) today applauded the awarding of nearly $4.2 million in tax credits from the Michigan Economic Growth Authority (MEGA) Board to aid in the brownfield redevelopment project of the federal building in downtown Grand Rapids.
"This is great news for the city of Grand Rapids," Schmidt said. "This building has a lot of history and is very deserving of a makeover so it can be a wonderful asset to our residents yet again. The fact that it will be a LEED-certified, energy efficient building is an added bonus. I'm pleased to see MEGA recognize the importance of the role this project will play in preserving the history and breathing new life into a portion of our great city."
A MEGA credit of $4.17 million was awarded today to Federal Building Partners Inc., which plans to renovate and redevelop the building into classrooms, administrative offices, exhibit space and a café for local students, faculty, staff and other residents. The developer also plans to attain LEED certification as part of the redevelopment.
The 91,000 square-foot building, located at 155 N. Division Ave. NW in Grand Rapids, was built in 1911 and originally used as a post office and a courthouse. It also once housed the congressional district office of President Gerald Ford. It became the home of the Grand Rapids Art Museum (GRAM) in 1974 after ownership of the building was transferred to the city. The building has been vacant since 2008 when GRAM relocated.
Due to the building's historic past, the renovation will need to comply with the Secretary of the Interior's standards for historic buildings.