Grand Traverse County Approves Brownfield Plan for 240-Unit Central Park Housing Project
Grand Traverse County commissioners have officially approved a brownfield redevelopment plan for a $49 million housing project in East Bay Township, marking one of the largest workforce housing efforts in the region.
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Grand Traverse County commissioners have officially approved a brownfield redevelopment plan for a $49 million housing project in East Bay Township, marking one of the largest workforce housing efforts in the region. The development, called Central Park, will be located on roughly 20 acres along Three Mile Road, just north of the Meadowlands Industrial Park. The project, led by developer Krimson under the entity Traverse City-Central Park LLC, includes 10 three-story buildings with a total of 240 apartments.
Unit sizes will range from approximately 605 to 1,307 square feet, offering a mix of one, two, and three-bedroom layouts. About 190 of the apartments—roughly 79 percent—will be reserved for households earning up to 100 percent of the area median income (AMI), while the remaining 50 units will be market-rate but still priced below 120 percent AMI for at least 12 years.
This balance is designed to support local workers and families affected by rising housing costs in the Traverse City area. The brownfield designation allows up to $20 million in eligible expenses to be reimbursed over a 30-year period, covering site preparation, infrastructure, and environmental cleanup costs. Officials say the plan encourages responsible redevelopment while ensuring the project remains financially viable. The East Bay Township Board and the county’s Brownfield Redevelopment Authority had already endorsed the plan earlier this year.
With the county commission’s unanimous vote on October 15, the project now moves to state review. Plans for Central Park also include community amenities such as a clubhouse, playground, dog park, fitness center, business center, walking trails, and connections to a future Three Mile Road trail and nearby bus stops.
Landscaping will use native plants, and all outdoor lighting will follow “dark sky” standards to minimize light pollution. County officials say the project represents a major step toward addressing the region’s growing housing needs while supporting sustainable, inclusive growth for northern Michigan.