Author: Michigan Community Capital

Mel Trotter Ministries Creating New Opportunities in Grand Rapids

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 27, 2023

Michigan Community Capital invests New Markets Tax Credits into multi-site development

LANSING, Mich. – Mel Trotter Ministries (MTM) and its subsidiary, Next Step of West Michigan, have been selected to receive New Markets Tax Credits (NMTC) from Michigan Community Capital (MCC), Chase, Consortium America, and Cinnaire. The tax credits will support a multi-site development which includes two buildings at the Next Step campus on Garden Street SE in Grand Rapids, as well as renovations at the MTM mission.

Mel Trotter will receive nearly $5.7 million toward its project goal to build a new 15,000-square-foot manufacturing training center in conjunction with a local manufacturer, as well as expand the existing training center and add workforce development apartments.

“We are extremely grateful for the assistance from MCC,” said Gordon Oosting, chief financial officer of Mel Trotter Ministries. “We often say that we cannot do this work alone, and this is one more testament to what can happen through muti-pronged involvement. The New Markets Tax Credits provide an important source of funds for investment in the areas we are serving.”

The project will help people living in poverty achieve economic stability through access to employment and complementary resources. The new 15,000-square-foot manufacturing facility will be located at 130 Garden Street SE in Grand Rapids. It will be utilized for construction and workforce development training. A section of the building will be leased to Jireh Metal Products, a minority-owned tier one supplier to furniture, automotive and hardware industries. It will include a job training program that will operate in conjunction with Next Step’s workforce development program. A two-story, 20,000-square-foot building, located at 101 Garden Street SE, will be renovated into a mixed-use facility with 10 transitional workforce housing units on the upper floor, and space on the first floor for Next Step of West Michigan’s skilled job training program, construction employment offices and community space.

MCC’s NMTC allocation also supported the recently completed renovation of Mel Trotter’s existing 47,000-square-foot facility located at 225 Commerce Avenue SW. The renovation and expansion of the mission includes 116 units of transitional housing, 400 emergency shelter beds with guest common areas, and dedicated space for supportive services to guests including a variety of healthcare services and social services.

“We are pleased to support Mel Trotter Ministries in expanding their footprint and vital services in Grand Rapids,” said Eric Hanna, president and CEO at Michigan Community Capital. “This is an exciting project because it not only supports Mel Trotter’s work meeting the immediate needs of those experiencing homelessness, but it also supports the transition out of poverty through job training and employment.”

Michigan Community Capital has allocated $8 million in New Markets Tax Credits to this project. Chase provided a $2 million NMTC allocation and is the NMTC equity investor for the project. These NMTC allocations, along with allocations from Consortium and Cinnaire, have provided a net benefit to Mel Trotter of approximately $5.7 million.

“We’re proud to support Mel Trotter Ministries and Next Step with an NMTC equity investment that will provide many essential services to the Grand Rapids community including quality jobs and job training, stable housing, and afterschool services to children in the area,” said En Jung Kim, managing director, Chase Community Development Banking. “Through our NMTC platform, we remain committed to using this impactful financing tool to support continued investment and economic development across Michigan and the US.”

Consortium America 100, LLC provided $8 million in NMTC allocation to the project.

“The Mel Trotter Ministries and Next Step project will have a tremendous impact in the Grand Rapids community, and Consortium America is thrilled to be a part of it,” said a representative from Consortium America. “During our almost 20-year involvement in the NMTC program, providing investment to distressed communities across the United States, this project really stands out due to the level of services offered and the path it provides to its program participants to escape the cycle of poverty.”

Cinnaire provided a $5-million NMTC allocation to the project.

“This multi-site development reflects the alchemy possible when mission-driven partners join forces to create extraordinary opportunities for vulnerable communities,” said Cinnaire Senior Vice President, Public Funding, Peter Giles. “Cinnaire’s NMTC investments are focused on transformative projects supporting equitable communities. This project will provide housing stability while expanding economic opportunities through job training and employment, critical components to putting those who need us most on the path towards a better future. Cinnaire is proud to join our CDFI partners to support Mel Trotter Ministries as they embark on this impactful journey.”

For more information on Mel Trotter Ministries visit meltrotter.org

About Michigan Community Capital

Michigan Community Capital (MCC) is a non-profit diversified public-private partnership that supports the missions of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) by aggregating capital and facilitating the financing and development of low-income and attainable housing, and the redevelopment of complex brownfield sites within the State of Michigan. MCC is a U.S. Treasury certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) and the only Community Development Entity (CDE) that deploys this resource solely throughout the entire State of Michigan. Over its 16-year history, MCC has supported over $1 billion in project financing, successfully attracted $320 million in federal New Markets Tax Credits, and helped to create over 750 housing units and 1.3 million square feet of commercial, retail and industrial space to facilitate job creation and expansion. MCC provides products in four key pillars: housing equity, bridge and gap lending, New Markets Tax Credits, and property insurance for Low-Income Housing Tax Credit projects.

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Mixed-Use YMCA Project will Revitalize Long-Vacant Property in Downtown Flint

Michigan Community Capital invests New Markets Tax Credits into Flint development

Rendering of the YMCA in Flint, Michigan. – January 4 2022

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 4, 2023

LANSING, Mich. – Developers Uptown Reinvestment Corporation and HWD Harrison, Inc are undertaking an approximately $41-million, mixed-use, four-story development in downtown Flint with the support of $16 million in New Markets Tax Credit allocation from Michigan Community Capital (MCC).

The project revitalizes a long-vacant, blighted property into a 115,000-square-foot building that will include a physical rehabilitation facility, more than 7,500 square feet of office space, 50 apartments, and a full-service, fully accessible YMCA. The new YMCA facility will offer a competitive lap pool, family splash pad, basketball court, exercise studios, running/walking track, locker rooms, community space, and after-school rooms. All 50 apartments will be located on the second through fifth floors, and 19 will be dedicated to households earning less than 80% of the area median income (AMI).

“We are honored to be partners in the Harrison Street Commons. Providing 50 high-quality, mixed-income housing units in the heart of Flint is part of the transformational change we strive for in our work,” said Development Coordinator at URC, Moses Timlin. “Through this development, we envision a more vibrant and resilient downtown with increased walkability, density, occupancy, and diversity of building uses.”

Bringing additional foot traffic and economic activity to the area and serving as a catalyst for future development in Flint, the project is expected to generate a total capital investment of $41 million, bring over 10,000 unique program participants into the facility, and create or retain 51 full-time equivalent jobs.

“Housing, entertainment and recreation are all critically important parts of a vibrant neighborhood. We are thrilled to see and support our partners in Flint as they work so intentionally to create a thriving, attractive and equitable downtown community,” said Eric Hanna, president and CEO of Michigan Community Capital.

Magnet Lending Corporation, an affiliate of Michigan Community Capital, is supporting the project by way of a direct loan in the amount of $2.9 million.

The project is being supported by a $1.5-million MCRP performance-based grant and a $5.5-million MCRP performance-based direct loan from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC).

“The YMCA project will not only revitalize long-vacant property on a key block in downtown Flint into a vibrant mixed-use development that will offer housing options and recreational amenities to area residents, but it will also bring additional foot traffic and economic activity to the area and serve as a catalyst for future development in Flint,” said MEDC Executive Vice President of Economic Development Incentives Michele Wildman. “At MEDC, we are committed to supporting transformative projects that help create vibrant, resilient communities as part of our efforts to create a holistic, people-first approach to economic development in Michigan. We’re pleased to work with our partners to support this project and look forward to seeing the additional investment it will encourage in other Flint neighborhoods.”

PNC Bank, N.A. is serving as the New Markets Tax Credit investor and contributed $4 million of its own NMTC allocation to the financing of the project.

“PNC is committed to working with organizations that seek to address pressing needs in communities across our footprint,” said David Gibson, senior vice president and manager of Specialty Tax Credit Investments for PNC Tax Credit Solutions. “With the addition of this mixed-use facility to the community, Flint residents will have access to new, high-quality housing, retail and lifestyle options.”

The City of Flint is offering a 30-year payment in lieu of taxes at 10 percent, with an estimated value of more than $1.5 million.

“The City’s Imagine Flint Master Plan calls for desirable, stable, and inclusive neighborhoods, with a range of affordable and attractive housing options available to a diverse population. This project is a great example of providing both quality affordable housing and recreational opportunities for all City of Flint residents. We are so proud to be partnering with so many public and private partners as we continue to move the city forward,” said Suzanne Wilcox, director of planning and development for the City of Flint.

“We are excited to be a part of this unique project in the heart of Flint,” shared YMCA of Greater Flint CEO Shelly Hilton. “Many partners have collaborated to create a truly modern facility that will address the needs of Flint and Genesee County residents into the future.”

For additional information on this project visit https://flintymca.com/buildingcommunity/.

About Michigan Community Capital

Michigan Community Capital (MCC) is a non-profit diversified public-private partnership that supports the missions of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) by aggregating capital and facilitating the financing and development of low-income and attainable housing, and the redevelopment of complex brownfield sites within the State of Michigan. MCC is a U.S. Treasury certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) and the only Community Development Entity (CDE) that deploys this resource solely throughout the entire State of Michigan. Over its 18-year history, MCC has supported over $1 billion in project financing, successfully attracted $380 million in federal New Markets Tax Credits, and helped to create over 750 housing units and 1.9 million square feet of commercial, retail and industrial space to facilitate job creation and expansion. MCC provides products in four key pillars: housing equity, bridge and gap lending, New Markets Tax Credits, and property insurance for Low-Income Housing Tax Credit projects. For more information on MCC visit michigancommunitycapital.org.

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LiveWell on Harrison Groundbreaking 5/4/23

New homes in Flint’s historic Carriage Town neighborhood

View For-Sale Listings

WNEM TV5 – Published: Feb. 23, 2024 at 5:17 PM EST

New homes under construction in Flint’s historic Carriage Town neighborhood

From vacant lots to vibrant community homes

Wednesday, March 8, 2023

Six new houses are being built in Flint’s Carriage Town neighborhood thanks to a coordinated effort between Michigan Community Capital (MCC) and Uptown Reinvestment Corporation (URC). This project will be some of the first new construction of homes in this historic neighborhood in nearly a century.

The homes, which are being developed by Flint Home Ownership Initiative, LLC, will be located on West 2nd Avenue between North Grand Traverse and Mason streets on three parcels owned by the Genesee County Land Bank Authority. By developing houses on these strategic parcels within the neighborhood, project partners strive to promote homeownership, generate long-term tax revenue for the city, help stabilize the local residential housing market, build on the neighborhood’s strong sense of community, and model sustainable finance structure for future investments in Carriage Town.

Carriage Town is a fantastic neighborhood in the city of Flint that has a rich history and community character. We are proud to bring additional homeownership opportunities at a variety of price points to continue investment in this unique district.
Marilyn Chrumka, VP of investments at Michigan Community Capital.

At 412 West Second Avenue, a small condo association is being developed on the 1/2-acre site. The two sets of duplexes (four homes in total) were designed to fit into the scale and character of the neighborhood. Each 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom unit will be approximately 1,250 square feet and will feature a front porch, rear detached garage, and high-quality building materials. The condo association fee will cover common area maintenance, exterior home repairs, landscaping and snow removal.

“This project is a significant step forward for the Carriage Town neighborhood and the City of Flint. These six housing units are some of the first market-rate single-family homes built in Flint in nearly a decade. This public-private partnership aligned the unique resources of local, county, philanthropic, and federal stakeholders to provide safe and quality workforce housing. In addition, we are honored to work alongside neighborhood residents and organizational partners to contribute to the ongoing neighborhood investments in Carriage Town.”
Moses Timlin, MUPP, Development Coordinator at Uptown Reinvestment Corporation

Across the street, the vacant parcels at 417 and 427 West Second Avenue will each be redeveloped into a 1,500-square-foot, 3-bedroom, 2.5-bathroom, single-family home.

Thoughtful design on all of the homes reinforces the character of historic district through complementary new construction.

Construction materials include:

Slab on Grade Foundations
Wood frame, stick-built construction
Composite siding
Asphalt shingles
Anderson 100 Windows
Interior walls will be drywall & painted
Carpeted bedrooms
Luxury Vinyl Tile floor common areas
Quartz or granite Counters
Solid wood cabinets
Kitchen island
Tile backsplash in kitchen

Stainless steel kitchen appliances
- Gas stove
- Dishwasher
- Garbage disposal
- Microwave above stove
- Refrigerator
Fiberglass shower/tub
Washer/Dryer included
Duplexes come with single-car garage & two surfaced parking spaces
Single-family homes have garage add-on option for additional cost

This project is unique because it utilizes Brownfield Tax Increment Financing in partnership with the City of Flint to help offset the construction cost and the homes’ market-rate price. The project aims to be an example to encourage other investors to build new-construction homes on vacant lots in the city of Flint. In addition, the project showcases strong public-private partnerships by redeveloping Genesee County Land Bank Authority-owned parcels, which will be transferred to the private homebuyer upon sale. Lastly, this $2-million project uses a combination of public and private funding from the Community Development Finance Institution Fund, Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, URC and Michigan Community Capital.

This development could not be built without community support! The Carriage Town Historic Neighborhood Association provided valuable feedback and letters of support to obtain Historic District Commission and City Council Approval.

All six homes are anticipated to be listed for sale in January 2024 and are currently projected to range in price from $155,000 to $188,000.

For more information on this project, email info@livecarriagetown.com.

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