KCRC Purchases Walker View Property
The Kent County Road Commission (KCRC) has purchased a 29-acre parcel situated in the Walker View Business Park being developed by Rockford Construction in Walker, Michigan. The property was purchased from RDG – Walker, L.L.C as a potential relocation site for KCRC’s Central Complex, located at 1500 Scribner Avenue in Grand Rapids. Built in 1923, the Scribner property resides on 15 acres along the Grand River of what has been identified as an opportunity site for redevelopment under GR Forward, the 10-year community plan and investment strategy for Downtown Grand Rapids and the Grand River corridor.
“In light of GR Forward and the project’s extensive public engagement process, we acknowledge that the Scribner property has the potential to be more valuable to the community if used in a different capacity,” said Steve Warren, KCRC’s managing director. “By purchasing the Walker View property, we are better positioned to consider future development opportunities.”
Warren underscored that the purchase of the Walker View site does not necessitate an expedited relocation, but rather creates the opportunity to do so when the timing is right. “The Scribner site has served us well for the past 93 years,” said Warren. “With the prospect of redevelopment along the riverfront, it is now time for us to investigate viable alternatives for the future.”
In June 2016, KCRC retained Fishbeck, Thompson, Carr & Huber, Inc. (FTCH) to conduct a feasibility study to determine if the Walker View property could accommodate the current needs of the Commission while providing for future expansion. After thorough analysis of critical factors, it was determined that the property fulfilled the set criteria.
“The Walker View site provides a strategic opportunity for the road commission to improve operations, become more energy efficient and explore collaborative opportunities,” noted Mark Rambo, KCRC’s chairman of the board. “The move also could help facilitate additional growth and investment along the Grand River Corridor.”