Grand Rapids Boston Square Project

Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced on March 31 that two redevelopment projects in Grand Rapids and Saline have received funding through the state's bipartisan Revitalization and Placemaking program, generating a total capital investment of over $33 million.

The Grand Rapids project, located in the Boston Square neighborhood, will transform approximately 1.3 acres into a four-story mixed-use building. The development will create 45 new mixed-income apartments along with 9,410 square feet of commercial space and 9,048 square feet of public space.

"This RAP award is exactly the kind of smart, place-based investment that helps turn a neighbor-informed community vision into tangible progress," said Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks, a Democrat from Grand Rapids. "This investment means more housing, more room for local small businesses, and more welcoming public spaces — strengthening the fabric of the Boston Square community, fostering long-term opportunity, and ensuring more families put down roots, connect, and thrive right here in Grand Rapids."

The project is part of the Boston Square Together Project, a comprehensive redevelopment initiative that spans 10 acres in the neighborhood. The goal is to increase housing options, create commercial space for entrepreneurs, and add community amenities.

Brinshore Development, LLC, a private firm that has been developing affordable and mixed-income housing since 1994, is handling the development through its entity BSQ Together I LDHA, LLC. Brinshore is among the nation's largest and most successful housing development firms in the affordable housing market.

Amplify GR, which was founded in 2018, is also partnering on the project. The organization invests in securing economic pathways for residents of designated neighborhoods in Grand Rapids, using a holistic approach to community partnership and revitalization modeled after Purpose Built Communities, a nonprofit organization headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia.

"This RAP award is exactly the kind of smart, place-based investment that helps turn a neighbor-informed community vision into tangible progress," said Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks (D-Grand Rapids). "This investment means more housing, more room for local small businesses, and more welcoming public spaces — strengthening the fabric of the Boston Square community, fostering long-term opportunity, and ensuring more families put down roots, connect, and thrive right here in Grand Rapids."

The project will receive a $1.3 million RAP grant from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, with additional support from a $400,000 HOME grant from the City of Grand Rapids. The total anticipated capital investment for the project is $25,537,050.

Sarah Rainero, economic development director for the City of Grand Rapids, said the partnership with the MEDC and support for Revitalization and Placemaking investment will provide additional mixed-income housing opportunity for the community.

"This project brings new homes, new businesses and new energy to Boston Square," said state Rep. Kristian Grant, a Democrat from Grand Rapids. "A home is where people find stability, raise their children and begin to build a future. That is what makes this work so important, and how we ensure Grand Rapids continues to grow in a way that is inclusive, vibrant and built to last."

Saline Murphy's Crossing Redevelopment

The Saline project will redevelop a three-story historic building and an adjacent parcel at Murphy's Crossing into a mixed-use development. The project will create four two-story residential apartments along with renovated commercial space in the lower level and approximately 10,000 square feet of outdoor public space featuring seating, lighting, and trees.

"This project will create a space for events, gatherings and everyday use in downtown Saline," said City Manager Dan Swallow.

The developers are William Kinley and Mary Kinley, owners of Phoenix South, L.C. and Praxis Properties, with their son Tyler Kinley managing both companies. This will be the first development for Phoenix South, while the team has previous experience redeveloping historic buildings in Saline, including Merchant Square.

The project has received a $1.5 million RAP grant and will bring a total anticipated capital investment of $7,495,703. The City of Saline has committed $500,000 toward the public space portion of the project.

City records show that Saline had been laying groundwork for the project before the state announcement. In a February 9 memo to City Council, City Manager Dan Swallow wrote that the city had spent several years working on plans for a downtown gathering space. The proposal centered on a square near the East Henry Street public parking lot.

Swallow also noted in the memo that Praxis Properties had committed more than $4 million in improvements, though the state grant amount was lower than originally expected and the project needed additional support to move forward.

City budget documents had previously allocated $500,000 for the public improvements, with $250,000 from the general fund and $250,000 from TIFA, the city's downtown tax capture authority.

Statewide Impact

Together, the two projects will activate vacant properties and increase community vibrancy while building on Grand Rapids' status as a top state for opportunity and doing business.

"Our population is growing, and we've been ranked a top state for opportunity and doing business," said Governor Whitmer. "Programs like RAP help us build on this progress, attract and retain talented workers, lower costs, build housing, and enrich our communities. Let's keep working together to get things done for our state."

The RAP program provides access to gap financing for place-based infrastructure development and real estate rehabilitation and development.

Michele Wildman, SVP of Community Planning and Development Readiness at the MEDC, said the organization is proud to support the growth and resilience of communities like Grand Rapids and Saline as part of the state's Make It in Michigan economic development strategy.

"These projects will add critical housing and residential amenities, contributing to the vibrancy and economic activity in their communities," Wildman said.

The announcement comes as the state continues to invest in housing across Michigan. In March 2026, the Michigan Strategic Fund Board approved a $4.75 million Michigan Community Revitalization Program performance-based loan for the creation of 109 housing units in the City of Grand Rapids' Westside neighborhood, located near Grand Valley State University's downtown campus.