WMU research center is part of proposed redevelopmentMay 20, 2003 KALAMAZOO -- If the current proposal becomes reality, Western Michigan University will be a major community partner in a $70 million redevelopment of the Crown Vantage paper mill brownfield site in the neighboring community of Parchment. Parchment Mayor Daniel Degraw unveiled the proposal, which calls for a mixed-use redevelopment of the 256-acre site, anchored by a new National Brownfields Redevelopment Research Center, which would be led by WMU researchers. The redevelopment has been dubbed, "The Community at Riverbend," and calls for a master-planned mixed-use complex, which will include housing, office space, a job retraining site, retail and recreational opportunities and the WMU-led national research center. "Make no mistake about it, a project of this magnitude
will require a hurculian public/private effort, and we will need
the strong support and help of both our federal and state elected
officials if we are going to be successful," said DeGraw.
"We have taken the first steps by assembling a private sector
investor willing to Under the proposal, funding for the plan would come from a partnership of federal, state, and private monies and programs, according to Joseph Moch, president of Riverbend LLC, the developer of the project and a WMU alumnus. Moch has indicated his intent to donate the Crown Vantage headquarters building to Western Michigan University to serve as the new headquarters for the National Brownfield Redevelopment Research center, once the project is off the ground. It is estimated that "The Community at Riverbend"
could generate more that $2.2 million annually in tax revenue
to the city of Parchment and Kalamazoo County and could have
in excess of a $250 million Media contact: Cheryl Roland, 269 387-8400, cheryl.roland@wmich.edu |
WMU News http://www.wmich.edu/wmu/news |