By James Windell
The South Haven City Council approved a proposal for redevelopment of the Overton Property at 229 Elkenburg Street, South Haven.
Although plans for developing the property have been mired in controversy because of contamination, the City Council on Monday, January 6, 2025, unanimously approved starting negotiations with the group Dwellingplace. Dwellingplace, a nonprofit based in Grand Rapids, has proposed to redevelop the site into an 85-unit residential complex including 53 apartments, 30 duplexes, and 2 single family homes.
The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) has oversight of this location, and due to historical contamination, has conducted testing beginning in 2023. PFAS was sampled at six groundwater monitoring wells and five soil borings with three groundwater monitoring wells exceeding criteria for one or more PFAS.
S.E. Overton Company, which was built in the early 1900s, was located at 229 Elkenburg Street. The company manufactured wooden molding, furniture, gun stocks, and other specialty wood products. In 1995 the property was bought and used as a rental property for warehousing and light manufacturing, including the manufacturing of tarps. The building was razed in recent years.
According to Matt Szumikski, a Dwellingplace representative, the company will take proper steps prior to any construction.
“The appraisal stated that this is a dirty site,” Szumikski said. “There are environmental concerns. Dwellingplace has a history of working in sites that are either old historic buildings or buildings that need to be torn down and have a new building constructed on top. This will involve careful plans and working with EGLE to make sure that we do everything right.”
With the council’s approval, the city manager and the city attorney have been directed to negotiate purchase and development agreements with Dwellingplace. The nonprofit was the only entity to submit a proposal for redeveloping the site.
“The approval of plans for the Overton Housing project is a great way to start the New Year,” said Mayor Annie Brown after Monday’s City Council meeting. “Affordable housing has been our top priority for a year and I’m glad that our council members are united on this project. I look forward to working with Dwellingplace.”
