One development we’ve had our eye on all year is what’s known as The Garland, a group of storefronts on Kercheval between Parker and Van Dyke. A year ago, the buildings were, as developer Alex DeCamp said, “a mud pit, a vacant structure, and a hole in the ground.” This week we were able to see the spaces for the new businesses, along with residential units above.

The newly-developed Garland Building includes three 1,200-square-foot residential units, commercial spaces, and a community courtyard. It’s a $1.35 million renovation project, which included substantial assistance from JP Morgan Chase, Capital Impact Partners, and an $85,000 Motor City Match grant. The developers for The Garland are Alex DeCamp, Reimer Priester, Charles Dabrowski, and Mark Seppala.

Construction was started last spring and pre-leasing has started on the upstairs residential units, which are renting for $1,850 a month. Each unit has two bedrooms, parking in the back, front and back private entrances, and a back deck.

As for the renovations, there wasn’t much to keep inside the existing buildings except some of the brick. The exterior was a complete re-do, with historic masonry and a new roof. But the work on the roof allowed them to add extra insulation up top, which gave the residential units higher, open ceilings.

The businesses moving in — Geiger Eat Shop and Village Parlor — should be starting build out in the spring. The alley behind the building will turn into a green driveable alley with the help of a $100,000 grant for EcoWorks.

All of this is part of a strategic plan by the city to create 20-minute neighborhoods. These investments are aimed at building density, improving public spaces, increasing walkability, and stabilizing the neighborhood. Here’s a look inside, with some historical pictures on the walls to give an idea of where they started and how far they’ve come.