City of Ionia sets plans for new housing and business park development

IONIA CO., Mich. (WILX) – The City of Ionia has plans to reenvision and revitalize a quarter of the city.

This is all part of an update of the city’s master plan to offer more jobs in the city.

The area may not look like much anymore but not too long ago two correctional facilities stood on this over 100 acres of land. Now, the city of Ionia has plans for redevelopment.

“Ionia is a small community,” said Ionia City Manager, Precia Garland. “We’re historic and we’re largely built out, meaning there’s not a lot of room for redevelopment, so this has the potential to be transformational.”

Deerfield and Riverside correctional facilities sat vacant atop Riverside Drive for nearly 20 years. Garland says the city plans to rebuild where these facilities once stood.

“80 acres give or take is what we envision eventually becoming residential then the south half of the site, we envision becoming a business or high-tech industrial park,” said Garland.

There’s a need for affordable housing in the city Garland says, along with jobs to keep more people working in the area. The city held a meeting Tuesday evening welcoming community feedback on the project.

“People want to see affordable housing, they want to see housing for seniors and multi-generational housing,” said Garland.

The Michigan State Land Bank Authority reclaimed the land and is partnering on the project. Executive Director Joseph Rivet says the agency is there to support the city’s vision of a live and work community.

“They understand they need housing, but they also know that their sort of industrial opportunities or manufacturing opportunities are limited right now in Ionia,” said Rivet. “So, this gives them the opportunity to prove additional space and opportunity.”

The project is part of the city’s master plan update which focuses on the city’s vision for development over several decades, envisioning new for rural city.

The city says conversations will be ongoing over the next six months to determine what types and how many homes will be built. As well as when construction will begin.

The project will be completed in phases over a decade.

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