More affordable housing is coming to Ypsilanti and Ann Arbor after The Michigan Economic Development Corp. recently announced nearly $100 million in grants for projects across the state through the Revitalization and Placemaking Program.
The Revitalization and Placemaking Program (RAP) is 'an ‘incentive program that will proactively deploy $100 million in American Rescue Plan funding to address the COVID-19 impacts in Michigan communities through rehabilitation of vacant, underutilized, blighted and historic structures and the development of permanent place-based infrastructure associated with traditional downtowns, social-zones, outdoor dining and placed-based public spaces'.
Out of the $100 million, $8 million will go towards projects in Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti. This will be done through a grant application submitted by the Ann Arbor Housing Commission and fellow partners.
"I am really excited to partner on this grant with J29:7 to develop housing in the city of Ypsilanti," Housing Commission Executive Director, Jennifer Hall, said. "The current housing affordability crisis crosses municipal boundaries, and we are all affected by the local housing market. I am also excited to partner with the Ann Arbor DDA on the Fourth Avenue redevelopment project because it is adjacent to our future affordable housing project at 350 S 5th. The DDA has been a long-standing supporter of affordable housing.”
J29:7 aims to seek the welfare of the places they’ve been called to serve and invite others to join them through inclusive engagement and sustainable development. The organization focuses not solely on projects and buildings, but on the development of the communities. The Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority (DDA) focuses on parking and constructing and maintaining downtown infrastructure.
A few of the requested amounts from the cities included $3.9 million for a mixed-use development planned by the J29:7 Planning and Development Corp. at 136 N. Washington St. in Ypsilanti. In addition to that, $100,000 was requested for a workforce development project by J29:7 at 124 Pearl St. in Ypsilanti.
“Today’s grants underscore our commitment to the people, places, and projects that are integral to the growth of Michigan’s economy,” Governor Whitmer said in a statement. “These investments will help create vibrant places that attract and retain talent, add new housing options, enable business creation and attraction, and provide resources for Michiganders and our communities. I will work with anyone and do anything to continue getting things done for our state.”
For the people of Ypsilanti and Ann Arbor, affordable housing has been an ongoing concern, but this grant aims to alleviate these housing issues throughout the communities.
