Kentwood Mall Cleared for Expansion

KENTWOOD, MI-The city’s planning commission has approved a 10,645-sf expansion for the Kentwood Mall on 29th Street SE, west of Lake Eastbrook Boulevard. To do so, Wolverine Building Inc. will demolish a building next to the mall that formerly housed Vision Express.

The project was almost stalled after commission members worried about how trucks would get in and out of the site and asked the developer to work out an agreement with a neighboring business for access.

Such an agreement has yet proven unsuccessful, said Mike Kelly, a Wolverine Building representative. But commissioners ultimately agreed to keep the project going, provided Wolverine officials keep trying to address truck access.

“I like the look of what you’re trying to do a lot,” Commissioner Ed Swanson told Kelly. “I’m concerned about what may happen in the future. I’m not trying to throw hurdles in your way; I’m trying to find solutions.