GRAND RAPIDS, MI — An amended plan approved Thursday for the redevelopment of the historic Sligh Furniture building in Grand Rapids cuts the number of apartments from 753 to 438 but boosts the amount of space for makers and manufacturing.
The change comes after the developer leading the project, John Gibbs of Detroit-based Sturgeon Bay Partners, decided to restore a concrete addition to the building rather than demolish it. The building is near the corner of Cesar E. Chavez Avenue SW and Logan Street,
The concrete addition is being eyed for manufacturing and maker space because residential apartments are not a good fit for the building’s design and layout, city officials said. In addition, the concrete addition must remain in place for the developer to seek historic tax credits to help finance the project.
Despite the reduction in housing, Gibbs said he sees preserving the concrete…
