Big plans for old paper mill

February 16, 2009 8:12 AM

PARCHMENT, Mich. (NEWSCHANNEL 3) - A development company has big plans for the old paper mill site in Parchment, and you can check out those plans Monday.

City leaders are hoping this project will help revitalize the entire town. They say it will breathe new life into the old property.

It's a big makeover for roughly 80 acres of industrial land that's just sat there since 2001.

Here's what we know about the plan so far: It's called the River Reach Development. The city is partnering with a Colorado Company called Frontier Renewal and a developer from Kansas City. The developer has had success with remediating brownfield sites in the past.

The green development will include 350 homes, office space and retail space. Parks as well as a river walk are also in the plans.

All of it will be built right along the Kalamazoo River.

"We're taking an ugly piece of ground that has some environmental issues associated with it and turning it into a pleasant place to live," said Parchment Mayor Rob Heasley.

There is an open house Monday night from 5:30 to 6:30 at the library in town. If you're interested in learning more, check it out.