No 'Community Hugs' For Eastern Avenue Lofts
A group of residents, stakeholders, and reps from two churches from a Baxter neighborhood, gathered Tuesday, March 12, at Noon or 5:00 p.m. at the Eastern Avenue Christian Reformed Church at Eastern and Logan SE.
Baxter Neighborhood Association hosted the community meeting.
All had come to hear and ask questions of Pete Schwiegeraht, senior vice president of MVH and lead person for the proposed Eastern Avenue Loft project for construction on the property that extends west from 623 Eastern Ave. SE. to 646 Charles.
MVH operates out of Ohio.
Schwiegeraht said he is working locally in partnership with LINC - Up. Jeremy DeRoo was the spokesperson for LINC - Up.
The proposed development is to consist of 60 apartments units in a four story mixed - use building on the east edge of the property and facing Eastern Avenue with 10 townhouses in the rear on the west edge on Charles SE and parking spaces and two green spaces in between.
According to Schwiegeraht, the apartments are to be available for persons whose annual income ranges from $20,000 to $60,000.
Those attending the meeting had a lot of questions. One was about the going rental cost per unit. Schwiegeraht said the average market rate for the area was supposed to be $1,000.
MVH plans to mark it down to $700 to $1000 per month, so it could be more affordable. but a lot would depend on the unit leased, 1 to 4 bedrooms, for example.
He went on further to say the criteria for occupancy would be based on income, credit ratings, and criminal records for any felony, including domestic violence.
The $14 million cost for the project is expected to be funded with $12 million through tax credit from the state of Michigan and $2 million through loans from local banks.
The questions from those in attendance were fast and furious.
Many questions centered around who would have an opportunity to lease an apartment or purchase a townhouse.
Would Section 8 funds be available?
The initial answer to the question of Section 8 funds was "No". But when pressed on this, Schwiegeraht said there would be "Housing Choice Vouchers", but his company would not make any available.
Would this be the responsibility of LINC Up? LINC Up is designated as the Service Coordinator for the project.
Just what this means was not made clear. Does this mean that LINC Up is a true partner?
The most pressing issues was about traffic congestion and the safety of residents, that would result from the proposed apartments on Eastern along with congesting resulting from the current development by ICCF.
Ms. Janice Dorsey, who was irate about the whole undertaking, said it was not a community project but "gentrification!"
Mr. Bennie Ross questioned the traffic congestion that would be brought about not only by those who would reside in proposed development, but also the congestion added by their visitors as well as the people that come to shop in the neighborhood.
Mr. Ross also wanted to know if there would be small and diverse commercial enterprises.
The answer was probably a number of coffee shops.
Who would be responsible for snow removal and where will the plows push the snow was answered with "probably the city."
It was also revealed from a series of questions about the parking spaces, that approximately 80 parking spaces would be available located in the middle of the complex, between the apartment building and townhouses.
Most responses to many of the questions were not clear.
Those in attendance left with more questions than answers. However, the most shocking response to the question asked by someone who did not want to be identified was "If the community disapproved of the project would it continue?"
The answer was, "If all the other requirements were met, I see no reason why it would not." Swchwiegercht said. He followed up by saying, "Anyone who was not pleased could write a letter to the state."
This was the second round of community meetings about the project. The local neighborhood association is planning to have another meeting near the end of this month before the April 1 filing deadline. Flyers would be made available to all the community churches to get the word out to all interested persons, but especially those who reside in the area.
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