Transforming Roosevelt Park

GRAND RAPIDS, MI — The recent announcement by the State of Michigan approving $103M in transformational incentives for Factory Yards, a mixed-use development bordering the Roosevelt Park and Black Hills neighborhoods in Grand Rapids, Michigan is a compelling movement for progress. Wolverine Building Group is thrilled for our clients, Heritage Development Partners, and looking forward to continued work in this enriching, dynamic community.

Wolverine Building Group has developed strong partnerships in Roosevelt Park over the past five years, due to significant investments in the neighborhood such as Dwelling Place’s Avenida Brilliante, the award-winning Suroeste Brilliante, Trinity Health Grand Rapids Roosevelt Park Pharmacy and an early childhood development center. Longstanding collaborative partnerships with Southwest Community Campus Kindergarten classrooms and Grandville Arts & Humanities Center have created solid relationships that help Wolverine deeply connect to community values. In addition, Wolverine team members have volunteered with Habitat for Humanity Kent County to finish individual family homes as part of their commitment to the neighborhood.

It is this rooted perspective that has allowed the Wolverine team to learn and engage with community leaders. “Our approach to construction has always been a bit different,” offered Curt Mulder, president and owner. “When we consider projects, our team analyzes how we will accomplish the greater good through our actions. We could not be more excited to continue investment in Roosevelt Park through our work on Factory Yards.”

Wolverine’s multi-family team has extensive adaptive re-use experience, recently winning the Governor’s Award for Historic Preservation for the transformation of Emerald Flats, also near downtown Grand Rapids. Factory Yards will reclaim the significance of the original placemaking manufacturing goals, now metamorphizing into nearly 400 homes, curated local food hall, event space and commercial suites to develop the entrepreneurial spirit on which the building was first erected. Our team’s ability to preserve facets of the original factory while renewing the structure to accommodate the new vision is a signature talent of Wolverine.

“After working with neighborhood leaders during our earlier multi-family projects and the health care work, I am excited to continue our work to offer the assets this community deserves,” shared Drew Sorenson, Senior Project Manager, leading the Wolverine team for Factory Yards. “It’s rare to be part of this kind of placemaking work, where we partner authentically with neighbors to build up what already exists. This project is special because of the leadership behind it and the community alongside it.”