A 2-million-square-foot former General Motors stamping plant in the Grand Rapids suburb of Wyomingwill be demolished this year. Monday night Wyoming’s city council approved plans to destroy the 75-year-old building and redevelop the site.
Thousands of employees used to work at the facility. General Motors was once the city of Wyoming’s largest taxpayer.
City council also approved the plant’s Brownfield redevelopment plan. Governor Snyder plans to cut tax incentives for Brownfield projects like this. But even if the legislature approves the cuts, Wyoming City Manager Curtis Holt says he’s been told it should not affect projects already lined up.
“We also believe there’s going to be some new developments in this area (Brownfield tax incentives) out there so we do want to be prepared to take advantage of something new that might be able to help us with this site."
Holt says most of the work, like asbestos removal, will begin on the inside of the building.
“Once April 1st hits and we’ve closed on the property, then the work starts. And I think initially, you aren’t going to see a lot from the outside.”
Holt says the city will work with a development company that’s buying the plant from Motors Liquidation – the ‘old GM’ – for an undisclosed price. That company, the city, and regional and state economic development leaders will conduct an international search for a major industrial company to locate there.
