Multi-million housing development brings first grocery store in decades

BENTON HARBOR, Mich. -- Despite the rain Wednesday, the city officials gathered outside to celebrate progress being made on The Corner on Wall Street, a major affordable housing project under construction.

The development will include space for the city’s first grocery store in decades, a significant step toward removing Benton Harbor from the list of food deserts.

Located about a block from Main Street, the site had sat untouched for so long that city historians were unable to trace any meaningful use of the land.

Now, the city is turning a new page as it moves from blueprints to building fresh from the ground up.

The three-story complex will feature 46 one-bedroom, fully furnished units, a community center, and an office space and grocery store on the first level. 

The project is part of Benton Harbor’s master plan that hopes to double its population over the next 15 years.

The plan being recognized after being deemed as “gentrification proof.” 

“Where you may see development or will see development from Main Street to Wall Street to inner city street, but the development will be inclusive of all residents where no one is pushed out. No one is displaced. It’ll be a safe haven for all people, and our master plan and this development reflects that,” said Benton Harbor Mayor Marcus Muhammad.

Construction on The Corner on Wall Street began in May and is expected to be complete by this time next year, when residents can begin moving in.