UPDATE: MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - After the Township Board meeting June 2nd, Meridian Investments, LLC are one step closer to getting the Northwind Drive Concept plan approved.

Northwind Drive concept plan is a proposed redevelopment of five two-story-buildings located North on Grand Rive Avenue and West by Northwind Drive.

Meridian Investments, LLC plans to redesign the existing buildings to provide several mixed use offices that would house various retail spaces, living corridors as well as over 300 parking spaces.

And while this plan has not been officially approved, the next steps are in progress. Meridian Investments will return to the planning commission in late June to formally review the project before they head goes back to the township for a final vote. If it does get approved, a new process will begin.

"So that kicks off a whole process where we have to give public notice so we post notices on the site, in the newspaper, we send them to the people who live nearby and we schedule this public hearing," said economic developer Peter Menser.

If approved by the Township Board, Meridian Development can begin working on their building permit in early fall.





ORIGINAL STORY: MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - Five new buildings may be added to Meridian Township if a redevelopment plan presented by Meridian Investment Group, LLC gets approved.

The site, bordered on the North by Grand River Avenue and the West by Northwind Drive, currently has five two-story buildings that were constructed in the 1970s.

The proposed redevelopment would have five mixed use buildings suited to the same footprints of the existing buildings with unit sizes ranging from 734 square feet to 1,245 square feet.

Ideas for the buildings include a drive thru bank, multi-family unit apartments, and commercial retail space.

The redevelopment would also provide pedestrian, bicycle, and vehicular connections to Grand River Avenue as well as 322 parking spaces.

And while the developers said each building will not exceed thirty-five feet in height, a few Township Board members say they would like to see taller architecture, even if it means redesigning the site.

"I would prefer that the site be redesigned rather than substitute the buildings for the older ones," said Township Treasurer Julie Brixie.

"This is the site where I think a taller building would be appropriate and you can take advantage of the river view. If you have a taller building you can incorporate more green space onto the site," added Brixie.

However, Meridian Township Associate Planner Peter Menser, said that may not be in the developers best interest financially.

"In this case, there's no requirement that they build a certain height, the board may want to see a certain aspect of a project," Menser said.

"Whatever it is, they (the developers) may say that's great but it will cost x amount of money to do that or actually with the height of buildings when you go above two stories they will have to install an elevator and that may just not make the project financially feasible for them to do," Menser added.

Further discussion on the redevelopment will continue at the June 2nd Township Board meeting.