Downtown Bay City

You may have noticed the #TenYearChallenge making the rounds again on social media. It got us thinking about some of the cool things that have changed in our community over the last decade. Uptown Bay City was one significant transformation that came to mind! So how did it all begin? The City of ...Bay City got the ball rolling in 2004 when it secured funding through the Michigan Brownfield Redevelopment Program to help clean up the land after 100+ years of industrial use. Then in 2011, Shaheen Development announced plans to develop the site. Ground was broken in 2012 when infrastructure work started. The #TenYearChallenge is the perfect way to show off the progress! Just take a look at the first two pictures from when the land along the Saginaw River was cleared – to just last weekend. “Our goal has always been to make one cohesive community,” said Shaheen Development’s Director of Development Al Warr, referring to the connection from Uptown Bay City to Downtown Bay City.

A lot has happened since this dream transformed into a reality – including Shaheen Development’s $150 million investment for Phase I of Uptown Bay City. The most recent Phase II, which is nearing completion, is a $30 million investment. Phase II includes the Rivers Edge Apartments which officially opened in December of 2021. Rivers Edge Apartments is one part of the expansive project that has transformed this 53-acre site along the riverfront. Here are a few highlights from Rivers Edge Apartments:

• 60 units
• Five floors
• One- and two-bedroom apartments
• River views
• Balcony in every unit
• Indoor heated parking
• Community room
• Outdoor patio for residents (should be complete later this spring/summer)

Rivers Edge Apartments are nearing capacity, meantime all other residential spaces in Uptown are full. “Demand to live here is high,” Warr said. “We have medical professionals, empty nesters, retirees and young professionals living here. It’s a real cross-section of people.” Warr said it’s been that way from the start. “When we first opened Phase I it was fantastic; it was exciting to see people here living and working in this new development. It quickly became part of the community,” Warr said.

Uptown Bay City has a little bit of everything from apartments, condos and townhomes – to restaurants, boutiques and a Fortune 100 company (Dow ranked 99 last year). The transformation isn’t just a visual upgrade. The taxable value of the land before any development to now has increased by over 5000-percent (no, that’s not a typo). Similar to the residential spaces, commercial units are also at near-capacity with only one commercial space currently not being leased. Warr shared that those businesses who call Uptown Bay City home are very much appreciated by community members. “The community has been very supportive. We’re in a difficult time now, especially for small local businesses. It’s good to see the community supporting them how they have,” Warr said. Warr has been with Shaheen Development for the entirety of the project – so he’s seen more than a decade of changes with his own eyes. “We’ve accomplished a lot more than anticipated within the development timeframe,” Warr shared. “And we’re not done yet.”

Shaheen Development on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ShaheenDevelopment

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The #SundaySpotlight is a regular feature here on Facebook. Each week we plan to highlight a different business or non-profit in the city. If you have some great ideas for us, please email: marketing@BayCityMI.org.

Community is when you walk into your downtown stores and spend time getting to know one another, talk about the stories behind their businesses, and learn about downtown history and other special stories. A thank you is in order to Heather Mcallister for treating me to such beautiful flowers! 💐 ...Regent Floral & Mercantile it such a fabulous small business in Downtown Bay City, and I’m very greatful for the conservations today with Brandon Strong. Our community is simply the best!❣️

Good evening, fishermen & fisherwomen! 🎣🌅

Check out B. Envied! Right here in Downtown Bay City!

Have an empty vase at home looking to be filled? Bring it to Regent Floral and Mercantile and check out their new dried/preserved flower wall! Stems are individually priced and so pretty! 🌸

The City of Bay City is launching the ARPA COVID-19 2022 Small Business Relief Grant Program today to assist local small businesses recovering from the adverse economic impacts resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. Up to $10,000 in grants may be awarded to eligible businesses who have less than 20 ...employees and have a physical business inside the City of Bay City jurisdictional boundary.
Eligible use of funds include costs to mitigate financial hardships including payroll, rent, utilities, etc. (Please see Guidelines for complete list.) Funds will be disbursed by reimbursement to the applicant for documented eligible project expenses or paid directly to third party vendors for invoices.

PLEASE NOTE! APPLICATION DEADLINE IS JANUARY 21, 2022 by 5:00 pm, and there is no fee to apply.

Grant guidelines and applications can be easily accessed by visiting www.BayCityMi.org
and scrolling down to the section labeled “Small Business Relief Grant Program” on the homepage.

Bloody Mary bar at @tavern101restaurant 12-4 PM on Sundays! Grab a drink or some grub and watch the Lions vs. Packers at 1:00!

Good morning! Where's breakfast this morning?!

Cool!!! 🛴

Explore our solar system like never before at the Delta College Planetarium! Now showing " To World's Beyond" Wednesdays at 2:00 PM. "Birth of a Planet" Thursdays at 2:00 PM. "Incoming!" Fridays at 2:00 PM! Tickets go in sale one hour before showtime.

For... more information on events & more visit their website delta.edu/planet