GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — A transformational project is now underway in Grand Rapids’ Southtown neighborhood.
“We are just so happy today. I mean, it’s just… we are just so blessed,” Helen Harp, president of the nonprofit Larlen Communications Inc., said.
Harp and her late husband Larry Harp founded the nonprofit, which is the project developer.
“We were riding down the expressway and he said ‘We should take and use the radio to teach kids’ and I said, ‘That’s a great idea.’ And so we cast a vision, and I think it was back in 2013 that we would start teaching radio broadcast, and called introduction to radio. And I said ‘We could teach TV as well, right?’ Because I have family members that are in the television industry as well as digital media and hence, NextGen Media GR was born,” Harp said.
She added that Larry always had a vision of planting a flag in the middle of the urban community. Through this project, that vision is coming to fruition.
640 Eastern Ave. SE will soon be home to a new educational lab for NextGen Media GR and nonprofit urban inspirational radio station Power 91.9 FM WDPW. It will be the largest minority-owned housing unit project in Grand Rapids’ 3rd ward.
A new 16,200-square-foot, four-story mixed-use building will replace an existing 7,290-square-foot, two-story building. In addition to the new educational lab, the development will have 12 affordable housing units.
The Harp family joined project partners for a ground-breaking Friday afternoon.
“Today, we break ground on a development that represents not just bricks-and-mortar, but vision and opportunity. An inspiring new chapter for our community,” Dione Boles, executive director of Larlen Communications Inc., said.
Developers thanked countless partners who have supported the project, including the city of Grand Rapids, Pinnacle Construction Group, Speed Architect, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, the Michigan State Housing Development Authority and lawmakers including State Rep. Kristian Grant, D-Grand Rapids, and newly re-elected U.S. Rep. Hillary Scholten, D-Grand Rapids.
“West Michigan is growing and the establishment of mixed use buildings like the Southtown Lofts reflects that trend,” Scholten said during the groundbreaking. “We all know that access to housing is reaching a breaking point here in West Michigan. Utilizing mixed use developments is one of the ways that we can combat this problem and make sure that all individuals have a dignified, affordable place to live. That’s why, when Southtown Lofts’ leadership, reached out for help this summer in closing a funding gap, I said, let’s get to work.”
Harp said she believes this is only the beginning of the transformational work God has called her and her family to do.
“We’re a community of faith,” she said. “When Dr. (Tarence) Lauchiè started the groundbreaking ceremony off, he talked about the watchmen and if God didn’t build the city we would watch in vain. I thought about the scripture that said that he’s the chief cornerstone and so breaking the ground and planting the chief cornerstone right here, it’s going to not only change the complexion of the block itself, but we want to be a light in this community and shine brightly when it’s when it’s all done.”
The project is expected to be complete by late 2025.