920 Cherry Re-Development
The largest piece of vacant property in East Hills, 920 Cherry is on the schedule for redevelopment. 920 Cherry SE was purchased by Fairmount Square Investors L.L.C., which was formed by Sam Cummings and Guy Bazzani. Cummings and Bazzani are veteran developers who have each successfully renovated many historic buildings in Grand Rapids. Fairmount Square Investors is planning to join with a local non-profit housing developer to plan the revitalization of this important site in the neighborhood. Fairmount Square Investors will develop the site around the 1908 DA Blodgett Home for Children building into 33 Townhouses and a new 7,000 sq. ft. commercial space. The Inner City Christian Federation (ICCF) will renovate the DA Blodgett building, which includes demolishing the two extension buildings that front the property on Cherry Street.
The market rate townhouses will offer approximately 1,500 square feet of living space plus finishable basements and off street garages. A new street, connecting Hollister Avenue to Cherry Drive, will be added to the neighborhood and will be named Blodgett in honor of the DA Blodgett building. The new townhouses will face Cherry Drive, Blodgett and Hollister streets. The new infill will remove the housing gap along Hollister caused by prior demolition for a parking lot.
Construction will be in phases and the first phase will start the summer of 2006 and will be complete six months after. First phase includes the completion of the new commercial building and the townhouses along Hollister. Two more phases will follow.
The D.A. Blodgett building is also scheduled to be completely restored to its original glory. The 1950’s addition is scheduled for demolition in the Spring of 2006 with restoration beginning shortly after. The building will become home to the Inner City Christian Federation, a non-profit community development corporation that focuses on affordable housing options. ICCF will use the building to house its offices and educational programs. Additional office space will be available for lease. The renovation also includes restoring the original gardens that graced the front of the building. The gardens return to the neighborhood a public greenspace.
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