FORUM visits impacts of Grand Rapids Whitewater Project. PAGE 3
SEPTEMBER 7, 2021 VOL. 39, NO. 18
The Business Newspaper of Metro Grand Rapids, Holland, Muskegon & West Michigan
THIS WEEK
LYONS FORGES OWN PATH
The former NFL tight end works with people near or in retirement to protect their investments. Page 11
Adelaide Pointe development takes shape Muskegon waterfront project puts emphasis on inclusivity. Ehren Wynder
ewynder@grbj.com
Seeing green Grand River Greenway campaign reaches $7.2 million fundraising goal. PAGE 3
Offset onset City and energy firm purchase carbon offset credits on path toward net-zero goal. PAGE 3
SMOOTH MOOOVE Milk producers may be in line for $350 million in federal assistance due to pandemic. Page 9
THE LISTS
The area’s top environmental law firms Page 7 The area’s top law firms Page 8
A local developer is pouring $250 million into a multi-faceted development project to revitalize the Muskegon lakeshore. Ryan Leestma and his wife, Dr. Emily Leestma, acquired a 30acre former industrial site on the Muskegon lakeshore and plan to redevelop it into a waterfront community called Adelaide Pointe that will reactivate Muskegon as a destination for water recreationists. Items actively being considered include a 270-slip marina; a mixeduse building with a restaurant, event center and retail space; a 300-unit mass timber condo build-
At the center of the proposal is a 270-slip marina, mixed use building and 300-unit condominium complex. Courtesy Ryan Leestma
ing; three public parks; 72 transient slips; 200 dry slips of in-and-out boat service; and 165,000 square feet of winter boat storage. “A big part of our focus is making this a place where people can go,” Ryan Leestma said. “So, if
you are a boater in Saugatuck or Holland or Grand Haven, it’s very difficult to go to another port and find a place to tie up. Whereas here, between the transient dockage and the marina, we’re going to have over a half-mile of side-tie dockage
that is very easy for people to use, so they always know they can come to Muskegon if they’re out on their boat and they want to have a good time with their friends.” CONTINUED ON PAGE 13
D.A. Blodgett-St. John’s breaks ground on $10M facility New building will allow nonprofit to integrate all operations into the one Knapp campus. Rachel Watson
rwatson@grbj.com
A local child welfare nonprofit will strive to improve outcomes by creating a more efficient and effective environment for children and families at a single integrated campus. D.A. Blodgett-St. John’s (DABSJ) broke ground Aug. 19 on a $10 million multipurpose facility at 2184 Dean Lake Ave. NE adjacent to the organization’s Knapp Street campus in Grand Rapids, which already houses several sep-
arate residential treatment homes. The new building, expected to be complete in late 2022, will serve as the campus cornerstone, integrating services that were previously at three separate locations, Leonard, Knapp and Fuller, under one roof — an intentional move to improve outcomes for the nearly 7,000 children and families the agency serves annually. Locating all services onto one campus also will save the organization $2 million over the next two decades, according to DABSJ President and CEO Mary Muliett. Launched in August 2018, the Together for Kids campaign has raised more than $9.8 million toward the $10 million goal with the help of nearly 500 separate donors. CONTINUED ON PAGE 15
The integrated campus will feature expanded programming space, administrative offices, and educational and wellness space, including a health clinic, family visit rooms, youth café, activities center, school classrooms, meeting rooms and counseling rooms. Courtesy Integrated Architecture
GRBJ.COM Vol. 39, No. 18 $2.00 a copy. $59 a year © Entire contents copyright 2021 by Gemini Media. All rights reserved.
Inside Track ...... 11 Guest Columns.. 16 Electronic audits Change-Ups ..... 36
GRAND RAPIDS couple teaches businesses people-oriented SEO.
Calendar .......... 36 Public Record ... 37 Street Talk ...... 38
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