GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — A years-long effort to bring a cannabis retailer to Michigan Street in Grand Rapids is one step closer to building.
Thursday, the The Grand Rapids Planning Commission has approved Agri-Med LLC’s latest plan to build a new supply center and retail space at 1109 Michigan St. NE between Diamond and Fuller Avenues.
Agri-Med appeared before the planning commission twice in 2020 and 2021 when it sought project approval for the medical marijuana supply center and then a recreational marijuana retail space , respectively.
The site previously housed Tamminga, Al Garage. Architect Juergen Dietrichson of Progressive AE said they originally planned to renovate the existing building on the land, but contractors determined that was not feasible.
“It was obvious that he really shouldn’t have been standing. He was in a difficult state,” he said.
Dietrichson said the new concept will reorient the business to face the road, align the height with zoning requirements by making the building two stories instead of a single story facility, provide more parking and a more logical two-way traffic flow for an otherwise difficult workspace.
“In many ways this site has become much more efficient and I also think it will be much more attractive to the property as a whole,” he said.
“I think we finally got it right,” said Aaron Smith of Agri-Med. “We are really excited about it. We think it’s much better for the community.
The 3,380 square foot facility will be the first New standard supply center in Grand Rapids. Smith said they plan to commission a local artist to create a mural on the east wall of the building.
“We are really excited. It will be a much bigger project, a much more expensive project than originally planned, but I think it will also be the best for the area, the neighborhood and the surrounding buildings,” Smith said.
Much of the planning commission’s discussion focused on traffic and business access issues. A lawyer representing Agri-Med said they were in negotiations with the landlord east behind the Family Dollar, but had not yet agreed to an easement for a secondary access point.
Stacie Behler was the only member of the planning commission to vote against the request. She told the commission she favored filing a decision on the project until Agri-Med had an agreed easement with its neighbor.
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