Update: With plans unveiled, West Side revival near major milestone

GRAND RAPIDS, MI — Under a tent packed with a who’s who of Grand Rapids business and civic leaders, developers unveiled plans for a $17 million mixed-use project anchored by New Holland Brewing Co. on the city’s West Side.

“This is the best Pulaski Days after party I’ve ever seen,” joked City Commissioner Walt Gutowski, who was wearing a green hard hat bearing the logo of Rockford Construction, which is building the new office, residential and retail development.

Plans for the new development include a New Holland Brewing Co. distillery and tasting room, brewery, restaurant and beer garden — encompassing half of the development that will rise on Bridge Street between Turner and Broadway avenues.

The New Holland project is expected to result in 150 new jobs.

Demolition of two shuttered structures on site, both formerly adult-oriented businesses, will occur in March 2015, said Rockford Construction CEO Mike VanGessel.

New Holland’s portion of the development is expected to be completed by late 2015, with opening of the residential, retail and office spaces to follow in 2016.

The plans, which New Holland President Brett VanderKamp acknowledged as the "worst kept secret in Grand Rapids" have been rumored to be in the works for months.

The development is part of Rockford Construction’s intention to re-establish Bridge Street NW as a gateway to downtown Grand Rapids. The contractor has been buying vacant properties in the area and recently completed its new headquarters a few blocks away.

New Holland Brewing Co. has been eyeing a satellite location in downtown Grand Rapids for several years. Last July, VanderKamp said the brewery was postponing its plans to sign on a new location until this year.

Garret Ellison covers business, government and breaking news for MLive/The Grand Rapids Press. Email him at gellison@mlive.com or follow on Twitter & Instagram