The Berrien County Board of Commissioners has approved a brownfield plan for a mixed-use residential and commercial development planned for the site of the former Berrien Hills Country Club.
Speaking to commissioners Thursday, community development director Dan Fette said Phase 1 of Berrien Hills at River’s Edge would include 180 residential units — 120 apartments, 40 condos, and 20 cottages. There would also be 19,500 square feet of commercial space along Napier Avenue.
Fette said establishing a brownfield plan for the project will enable the developers to collect a portion of tax revenue growth over 30 years to recoup some of their $82 million investment.
Recent changes in state law allow for residential developments to capture brownfield dollars to help reduce the housing shortage, and Fette said this qualifies.
“There’s been very little new housing constructed in this neighborhood since the early 1970s, late 1960s,” Fette said.
Brownfield dollars would be used to pay for demolition, site preparation, and infrastructure. Fette said because 60 of the apartments will be income-restricted and reserved for those earning 120% or less of the median area income, brownfield funds will also pay for the resulting rental losses.
St. Joseph Township Supervisor Roger Seely was on hand to lend his support to the project. He told commissioners the township welcomes it.
“Not only is it good for our township, but it’s also good for the hospital employees,” Seely said. “It’s a great place for them to have housing.”
Fette said with the brownfield plan in place, ground on Phase 1 of the development could be broken in the spring with completion expected around 2030.
Fette added FEMA flood maps that are preventing further development of the Berrien Hills site near the St. Joseph River are being appealed. If that appeal is successful, the developers can move on to Phase 2, which would also include a marina.
