The Lincoln Township Planning Commission has approved the rezoning of property at 3822 Red Arrow Highway to make way for a new 200-unit apartment complex.
Lincoln Township Supervisor Glenn Youngstedt tells us Great Lakes Capital out of South Bend gave a more detailed presentation on the proposed Red Arrow Bluffs complex to the commission this week after a brief introduction at last month’s meeting. The plan is to construct seven buildings, three stories high, with covered parking, a community building, and a pool. There will also be washer and dryers in the units. Rents will range from $900 to $2,100 per month, depending on the unit size and location.
Youngstedt says the township is excited for the development.
“We desperately need more affordable housing,” Youngstedt said. “I think this is national problem, frankly, but I mean, this will be adding two hundred apartments.”
Youngstedt says he often hears from industrial businesses that a shortage of affordable housing makes it difficult for them to attract employees. He’s heard from some with employees that drive all the way in from Hartford each day to work in Lincoln Township.
A couple of residents complained at this week’s meeting about having such a large development near them, but Youngstedt says Great Lakes Capital has already met with them.
“I think they addressed a lot of the issues and the issues that we heard — I don’t mean to diminish the importance of them, but they’re relatively minor compared to other potential objections we could have there, but I think those people seem to be in support of it.”
The complex is going in at the site of the former Snowflake Motel, which was torn down in 2006. Youngstedt says he believes this is the first new apartment complex in Lincoln Township since the 1950s.
Now that the township planning commission has approved the rezoning, Youngstedt says the matter goes to Berrien County, and then back to the Lincoln Township Board of Trustees. He says dirt could start flying this year, and the apartments would be available starting in 2026.
