Plainwell Paper Mill
Plainwell, Michigan with E Squared

A community planning process determined the reuse priorities for the Plainwell Paper Mill property which is part of a larger Superfund site.

The Master Plan proposed the creation of a primary civic square on the river front within the framework of renovated Mill buildings. The Mill buildings would house city offices and the site would provide spaces ranging in use from commercial and retail to housing. New high-density housing would occupy other areas of the site after successful remediation of contaminated soil. The remnant mill structures will be developed into park pavilions and program components. A public park will be developed along the Kalamazoo River that promotes the development of a healthy and diverse native riparian forest.

A community-based body called the Mill Committee composed of community residents, elected officials, business owners, City of Plainwell staff, site owner representatives, and representatives from community organizations discussed opportunities and challenges at the site to develop a reuse framework.

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