Copyright M Live Michigan
GRAND HAVEN, MI — The Grand Haven City Council on Tuesday, Oct. 20, hosted a public hearing to consider a tax exemption application for a 45-unit apartment project at 1445 Columbus St. The property owner, doing business as Beechtree Leasing, LLC, is seeking an eight-year Commercial Rehabilitation Act Exemption Certificate with an estimated benefit of $638,357. The overall project cost is estimated to be $11.06 million, according to city documents. The proposed project involves demolishing two vacant industrial buildings to make space for a new building consisting of 45 market-rate apartments. It would have a mix of studio, one-, and two-bedroom units. Rental rates are projected to be between $1,422 and $1,978 per month. Beechtree Leasing is an entity formed by Greg Oleszczuk, owner of Grand Haven-based Westwind Construction. The company has developed and/or manages multifamily properties in Kalamazoo, Traverse City and Gaylord. According to an analysis conducted by Plante Moran on behalf of the city of Grand Haven, the project supports the Ottawa County Housing Needs Assessment. That report identified a shortfall of 15,731 housing units by the end of 2025. The Plante Moran report concluded that without the incentive, the project would not be feasible and recommended approval of the abatement. During Tuesday’s public hearing, resident Mike Weavers pushed back against the tax abatement considering a proposal on the Nov. 4 ballot that, if approved, would levy a two-mill tax increase to fund police and fire services in Grand Haven. “They’re asking the citizens, whom you are once again asking for a tax increase, to subsidize this project,” he said to the city council. “Every time you subsidize these projects, what you actually do is drive up real estate prices in the whole area. … It’s really not the citizens’ job to make it easier for a developer to do something.” Weavers also noted the developer has “been around the block” and doesn’t need a “bailout” from the city to build new apartments. No other residents voiced an opinion either for or against the project. The city council plans to make a motion on the requested tax exemption at a future meeting. In its application to the city, Beechtree Leasing anticipated beginning demolition of the existing buildings this fall, with utility and foundation work going through the winter. The company expects the new building to be open for occupancy by spring or summer 2027.
