Two and a half years after the Consumer’s Energy power plant closed in Muskegon, city officials are moving forward with development projects.
Frank Peterson, the Muskegon city manager, says the power plant was once worth nearly $100 million in taxable value.
“I think we just decided that we were just going to move on from the idea of replacing that revenue and live in the now in Muskegon,” Peterson said.
This year, about 20 development projects have either been completed, started or announced. Those projects include the Berkshire Muskegon senior apartments, Rad Dad’s Taco and Tequila Bar, Drip Drop Drink Coffee Bar and more.
Peterson credits the success of the downtown development to a few things, but chief among them is having multiple parties all coming to the table with ideas.
“Lucky for us, it isn’t just one or two teams of people all trying to buy space down here. It’s a lot of different people all trying to do things at once,” he said.
Peterson says 2019 will see more housing units and waterfront properties announced for the downtown area and beyond.
“We have a stadium and bars and restaurants downtown, but I think we will start expanding beyond that. Building up the waterfront and building in more residential areas too,” he said.
