New housing options will be available to Williamston residents as early as March.
304 River Edge, located at 304 W. Grand River Ave., will be mixed-use building with retail space on the first floor and three floors of apartments above. The building is going to be the first four story and one of the tallest edifices in Williamston.
The project broke ground in September and is intended to open to tenants earlier than expected, regional property manager at KMG Prestige, the management company for the building, Andy Kneffel said.
“We’re hoping it’s been expedited from our original plan,” Kneffel said. “We thought May, but there’s a good possibility based on what’s been done so far, but now we’re looking at March or April.”
A construction worker works at 304 River Edge. The mixed-use building is set to open in spring 2017. Photo: McKenna Ross
The apartments will be a mix of one to two bedrooms with 30 units total. Rent will range from $1,100 to $1,600 depending on the unit’s view, position in the building and other factors.
Community development director for the city Mario Ortega said the owners have had the property for two years, but only a year ago started the plans to build the project.
“The site is actually located in our downtown district,” Ortega said. “They saw it was available and took the opportunity to meet their needs for development and meet our needs for zoning requirements.”
Kneffel said reception from the city has been mostly positive and interest is high. The waitlist is open and KMG Prestige has already received about 50 calls indicating interest.
Rendering of the front of 304 River Edge. The first floor will me retail space, and the second through fourth floors will be residential space. Photo courtesy: KMG Prestige
Rendering of the back of 304 River Edge. Photo courtesy: KMG Prestige
“From all aspects we can see, Williamston is need of housing options. That means people are moving to Williamston or are interested in moving to Williamston,” Kneffel said.“I think that overall from what I’ve heard from people that matter, the residents of Williamston and the city officials, it’s gonna be a pretty positive experience and very welcomed.”
According to Ortega, the city wants to encourage more residents to live closer to town, and the new development will give them more housing options.
Williamston resident Elizabeth Rugh works across the street from the cite at Groovy Donuts and has kept an eye on its progress. She said she’s expects business to increase with new residents living so close.
“They’ll probably be helpful,” Rugh said. “There’s gonna be more opportunity to live closer to town and it’s nice to have an option so close. I haven’t notice too much of a change so far (to business) but I could see it positively helping depending on the crowd that moves in.”