The Benton Harbor Planning Commission has moved forward on Project T, the housing and commercial development planned for the site of the former Mercy Hospital.
At a meeting this week, planners heard from Harbor Habitat’s Erin Hudson, who said Project T is aimed at those residents in the “missing middle,” or those who make too much for HUD housing, but still can’t find affordable housing.
“We plan to build 19 duplexes,” Hudson said. “That’s 38 two-and-three bedroom homes for sale, and a four-story apartment building where the ground floor will be a commercial and retail area, and the top three floors will be apartments for rent.”
The commercial space would accommodate childcare and retail.
Harbor Habitat is working with Renovare Development out of Detroit on the project. Renovare will build some of the units using contractors, while Harbor Habitat will build others using volunteers.
Mayor Marcus Muhammad said the development at the currently empty property at 960 Agard Avenue and 807 Weld Street is exciting.
“It warms my heart to see something productive and this property having the potential to be repurposed so residents will continue to benefit from the development,” Muhammad said.
Harbor Habitat is seeking some zoning changes and Planned Unit Development status for Project T. The planning commission signed off on the request, which the Benton Harbor City Commission will now have to consider. That could happen as soon as Monday.
Although there are not yet any firm dates for construction, the goal is to get to work on the duplexes within 18 months.
