Location
Plainwell, MI
Original Construction
1900’s
Construction Cost
$6,800,000
Completed Construction
2012

The City of Plainwell has a wonderful opportunity for its community with the rehabilitation of the Plainwell Paper Mill complex. The JJR / HopkinsBurns Design Studio Team was hired to explore the feasibility for redevelopment of the 35 acre/36 building historic Plainwell Paper Mill Site. The scope of services included a feasibility study, general assessment and concept design of historical relevant buildings, and included an arts incubator in the program. The scope of service allowed the team to look holistically at issues affecting the Mill campus and to ascertain the best possible balance of preservation, current needs and open space. This Feasibility Study provides a roadmap for use in making informed decisions in moving forward. The intent is that it minimizes risk to the city by providing an understanding of both the opportunities and the financial impact of the project and of future development potential.

The City chose Conestoga-Rovers & Associates (CRA) as a partner to develop the mill. Working with CRA, HopkinsBurns evaluated the complex for historic significance, and nominated it to the National Register of Historic Places. HBDS also developed a preliminary historic rehabilitation design approach that qualified the project for Historic Preservation Tax Credits, and led the tax credit application process, that resulted in the project being awarded Federal, State Basic, and State Enhanced tax credits. The complex has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

HopkinsBurns has developed demolition documents for the non-historic portion of the mill and construction documents for the Phase One implementation of the rehabilitation of the his-toricbuildings. Both demolition of non-historic buildings and Phase One construction have been completed