Family-Owned Restaurant Moves, Apartment Development Approved

A former restaurant site on Grand Rapids' West Side is being transformed into a new apartment complex after the Michigan Strategic Fund approved a $4.75 million loan for the project.

The development, known as Abode West Fulton, will replace the Adobe Mexican Kitchen restaurant at 617 W. Fulton St. with a four-story building containing 109 studio and one-bedroom apartments along with three ground-floor commercial spaces.

The family-owned Adobe Mexican Kitchen has already relocated to a new location on Bridge Street. The developer, Construction Simplified, said the new building will feature amenities including a dog washing station, fitness studio, concierge laundry service, and outdoor deck spaces with communal areas including a community club room.

State and City Incentives Approved

The Michigan Strategic Fund board approved the $4.75 Michigan Community Revitalization Program loan during a recent meeting. The board also approved a tax-capture request from the project's developer.

This tax-capture provision will allow Construction Simplified to capture up to $1.8 million in future state tax revenue generated by the redevelopment to help finance construction.

The City of Grand Rapids is also contributing $3.6 million in incentives, including the Neighborhood Enterprise Zone and Brownfield TIF.

Brent Gibson, president of Construction Simplified, told the MSF board that this project represents an opportunity to continue progress on the city's West Side.

"And it's the gateway to West Fulton, what I would say is an underserved or under-attentioned corridor that comes directly out of the center of Grand Rapids. Certainly West Side of Grand Rapids is getting a lot of investment and has over the years with Bridge Street and the now soccer stadium," Gibson said.

Location and Timeline

The site is located at 617 Fulton West, at the intersection of Seward and Fulton Street, just west of Grand Valley State University's Pew Campus.

No exact construction dates were announced. Construction Simplified headquarters are located right across the street from the proposed site.

The developer said one of the commercial spots is already leased to a tenant.

This project is part of ongoing development on Grand Rapids' West Side, an area that has seen significant investment including the new soccer stadium and improvements along Bridge Street.