By James Windell
Plans for three new condominiums in downtown South Haven are gaining momentum.
A proposed project by local developers Locker & Locker Properties LLC to construct three condominiums on the upper floor of the building that houses The Shoe Connection at 432 Phoenix Street received approval from the South Haven Brownfield Redevelopment Authority at a meeting on Monday, March 10, 2025.
The project, according to Adam Locker, is to not only renovate the second story into three condo units, but to add an elevator and parking garages in the rear of the building.
“When we were able to see the space on the second floor,” Locker said, “we saw it as an opportunity to provide more housing in the downtown area.”
Assistant City Manager Michael Landis told the Brownfield Redevelopment Authority that it was recommended that the Authority approve Resolution No. 2025-01, which would allow the project to move to the next stage.
Locker & Locker will seek tax increment financing from available local and school taxes for eligible activities at the property, including demolition, housing development activities, a 15% contingency, and brownfield plan preparation and development. These activities would total $189,850.
The Brownfield Act 381 of the Michigan Public Acts of 1996 authorizes Brownfield Redevelopment Authorities to recommend approval of local Brownfield Plans and submit work plans for approval to the state that help revitalize, redevelop, and reuse contaminated, blighted, functionally obsolete, or historic resources. The City of South Haven created their Brownfields Redevelopment Authority in 1998 with the express purpose of promoting the revitalization of environmentally distressed, blighted, functionally obsolete, historic resources, and/or housing properties throughout the City of South Haven while supporting eligible redevelopment projects. The Authority can provide financial support via various redevelopment tools such as tax increment financing, local grants and loans, and state and federal grants and loans. This funding may be used to support several kinds of activities that could include environmental site assessments, clean up, demolition, infrastructure improvements, and site preparation.
The Authority can use incentives to support the long-term benefits related to job creation, tax base enhancement, elimination of contaminated properties, and workforce housing. For any supported project, the Brownfield Plan remains in effect for as many years as is required to fully reimburse the Authority and/or Developer for approved eligible activities, plus five full years to allow the Authority to capture tax increment revenues for the Local Brownfield Revolving Fund.
The beginning date of the capture of tax increment revenues cannot be later than five years following the date of the resolution approving the Brownfield Plan or Brownfield Plan amendment. For each adopted Brownfield Plan, the Authority will seek reimbursement of project-specific expenses and a portion of its annual operating and administrative expenses as allowed by Act 381.
Landis indicates that the resolution will go next before the Downtown Development Authority. “The project has to be approved by the Downtown Development Authority,” he said. “Then, it goes to the City Council for a public hearing and after that the Council will vote on it.”
