The Commongrounds Cooperative development being constructed at the intersection of Eighth Street and Boardman Avenue has been awarded a $1.5 million grant from the Michigan Community Revitalization Program.

The Michigan Strategic Fund board announced the performance-based grant Tuesday. Commongrounds, a planned four-story mixed-used development with commercial businesses on the first and second floors and 25 residential units on the third and fourth floors, is expected to create 17 full-time jobs and generate a total capital investment of $15.9 million - factors that influenced the decision for the project to receive a grant. The Michigan Strategic Fund board also approved a brownfield work plan for Commongrounds that includes $440,693 in state tax capture to assist with environmental clean-up. The Grand Traverse County Brownfield Redevelopment Authority is supporting the project with a $210,000 grant and approval of the local portion of the brownfield tax capture. 

“The project is transforming underutilized property into an attractive, vibrant place that will help attract talent,” according to a state release. “It is also bringing affordable workforce housing and childcare to the community, includes green infrastructure, and will act as a catalyst for additional private investment and revitalization of the area.”