Housing Coming to Boston Square

1470 Kalamazoo Ave. SE

A Vision Created by Neighbors: Construction will soon begin for 57 new affordable mixed-income rental apartments and nearly 5,000 square feet of commercial retail space for emerging entrepreneurs!

 
 

A vision for more housing options is becoming a reality!

Known as the “F2 Building” within the Boston Square Together Site Plan, this concept and design was created together with neighbors and community partners for the future of Boston Square. Construction will begin in late summer/early fall 2024 and continue through winter. In addition to 57 affordable rental apartments, nearly 5,000 square feet of retail space will be added for emerging entrepreneurs.

About the Building

The Boston Square Together engagement process captured what neighbors said they wanted for housing in the community.

Neighbor-voiced priorities: Create new affordable housing through mixed-income projects and provide affordable spaces for emerging entrepreneurs.

The site for the building is 1470 Kalamazoo Ave. SE, where the former Standard Kitchens used to be. Since the company’s departure, this space has been designed to bring new housing options to Boston Square.

Together with neighbors and community partners, we co-created designs for the future of Boston Square, and your vision for more housing options is becoming a reality!

 
 

A Groundbreaking for New Housing Options Coming to Boston Square!

The first phase of housing known as “F2” on the Boston Square Together site plan, broke ground on September 12, 2024. Nearly 100 local leaders, neighbors and community partners joined the celebration.

 

New, Affordable, Mixed-Income Rental Apartments

The building captures and delivers on two major neighbor priorities - reflecting what neighbors said they wanted to see, hear, feel, and experience in their community:

  • 1 bedroom (17 units)

  • 2 bedroom (30 units)

  • 3 bedroom (10 units)

What does “mixed-income and affordable” look like?

*Please note: There is currently NO process for renting at this time. Stay tuned for more details!

 

Affordable Retail Space

With 4,684 sq ft of commercial retail space and access to the commercial corridor of Kalamazoo Ave., we envision this space for local retail entrepreneurs looking for high visibility in a collective environment adjacent to housing and traffic patterns in the Boston Square Business District.

Amplify GR, the facilitating organization in the Boston Square Together plan, is exploring a community ownership pilot for the commercial retail space.

Construction

The design and plans for the building were informed by neighbors - all reflecting what neighbors wanted to see, hear, feel, and experience in their community. Together with neighbors, Boston Square Together partners created large-scale community feedback loops, a group of 25+ highly-engaged neighbors in decision-making processes called the Neighborhood Advisory Committees (NAC) + Workgroups, and hundreds of hours chatting in 1-1 conversations with neighbors regarding the hub.

What It Means for Neighbors

Construction will be starting soon in the neighborhood! The goal is to keep you informed about what to expect through continued updates.

  • Construction is slated to begin in late summer/early fall and will continue through winter

  • Once construction is underway, there may be an increase in noise

Construction Hours

8:00 am - 5:00 pm / Monday - Friday

Environmental Considerations

  • Significant efforts are in place to comply with

    environmental regulations by working through

    an extensive regulatory process for

    Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE)

    and the City of Grand Rapids.

  • Construction crews will also use water to reduce

    the dust and debris you might experience during

    the demo process.

Contact

We appreciate you as a neighbor and welcome all feedback regarding noise and/or excess dust. Thank you for your cooperation and continued support. We look forward to seeing the community grow together!

Reach out: info@bostonsquaregr.org

 

Future Building

@ 1480 Kalamazoo Ave. SE

In 2025, construction will begin on an adjoining building that sits to the south of the “F2 Building” at the corner of Kalamazoo Ave. and Evergreen St. (where Amplify GR’s offices are currently located at 1480 Kalamazoo Ave. SE).

Referred to as the “F3 Building” in the Boston Square Together site plan, this additional building will give neighbors access to more affordable, mixed-income housing and a new food hall. The food hall is currently being designed to expand fresh food options in Boston Square and create additional opportunities for food entrepreneurs in the neighborhood, many of whom are already utilizing the commercial kitchen, Kzoo Station, across the street from the buildings.

Again, expanding fresh food options and additional options for emerging entrepreneurs respond to neighbor-voiced priorities captured through Boston Square Together.

The Journey to Housing

 

What is the vision?

Boston Square (BSQ) is a community focused on families, neighbors, and the commitment to deep roots in cultural, racial, and socioeconomic diversity. These qualities are embedded in the vision for Boston Square Together, a project that will bring growth to the neighborhood. We collectively aspire to provide added quality of life to current and future residents and their families through accessible and inclusive opportunities in housing, education, health and well-being, employment, and business ownership.

Boston Square Together partners are committed to growing and developing the community in a holistic direction that is informed by residents and influenced by shared power among multiple parties with a common purpose. The Boston Square Together project will deliver equitable outcomes for families and neighbors today and for future generations.

What we heard neighbors say

Design: A community that caters to neighbors' needs today and tomorrow.

  • Mid-rise buildings

  • Three-story multi-family housing

  • Townhomes

Amenities:

  • Business ownership reflective of the community

  • Fresh food/local market

  • Retail

Neighbor feedback from Boston Square Together Open House.

 
 
 

Did you know the Boston Square Together project was co-created with neighbors and community partners through Amplify GR and includes leading research, knowledge and best practices for holistic, equitable neighborhood growth?

Learn more about Amplify GR’s role in the Purpose Built Communities movement and how local + national partnerships are happening in 28 communities across the U.S. at purposebuiltcommunities.org