Standard Communities makes first investment in Michigan with ground up affordable community

Kalamazoo, MI Standard Communities, a leading national multifamily affordable housing investor and developer, is making its entry into Michigan, in a joint venture with River Caddis Development participating in a public private partnership creating a ground-up affordable community in Kalamazoo. 

The public private partnership includes the Michigan State Housing Development Authority, Kalamazoo County and the City of Kalamazoo. WNC & Associates is the equity partner.

The development, River’s Edge, is capitalized at $56 million.

"Our first investment in Michigan, the development of River’s Edge in Kalamazoo, is a significant step forward in our mission to create vibrant, sustainable communities that provide high-quality affordable housing for families. The collaboration with our public and private partners is instrumental in making this a reality, and we look forward to expanding our work in Michigan," said Jeffrey Jaeger, co-founder and principal of Standard Communities.

River’s Edge will have 228 units, with 184 affordable for those earning 60% or less of the Area Median Income (AMI.) The additional 44 units are for those with incomes under 120% of AMI. Affordability is made possible by Low Income Housing Tax Credits.

Located at 508 Harrison Street and 660 Gull Road, River’s Edge is comprised of two parcels totaling 7.4 acres northeast of downtown Kalamazoo. The community will include two 4-story multifamily buildings, a 4-unit live/work building and a commercial building featuring a leasing office and such resident amenities as a fitness center, playground and outdoor terraced patio. The community will have access to pedestrian paths connecting with the 35-mile Kalamazoo River Valley Trail.

“This northside neighborhood of Kalamazoo is undergoing an unprecedented revival with an appealing mix of businesses, shops, restaurants and affordable apartments. The area is being transformed from an industrial and commercial district into a residential, live-work-play community within walking distance from downtown Kalamazoo,” said Robert Koerner, chief investment officer at Standard Communities. 

The property will be National Green Building Standard Silver-certified, meaning it is designed and built to achieve high performance in site design, resource efficiency, water efficiency, energy efficiency, indoor environmental quality, and operation and maintenance.

"We are thrilled to bring this new affordable housing project to Kalamazoo," said Kevin McGraw, CEO of River Caddis Group. "At River Caddis Communities, our goal is to create homes that provide opportunity and stability for residents, and this project represents a significant step toward achieving that. We are excited to work with Standard and local partners to ensure that this development has a lasting, positive impact on the Kalamazoo community."