The Boys & Girls Club

of the Muskegon Lakeshore

Seeking $10M NMTC Investment

LOCATION
Muskegon, MI
SQUARE FOOTAGE
63,000
TOTAL PROJECT COST
$10M
CENSUS TRACT
26121000800

The Boys & Girls Club of the Muskegon Lakeshore is planning a 63,000 SF multitenant community center located in downtown Muskegon, MI.

32.42%

Percent of Area Family Income

54.4%

Poverty Rate

24%

Unemployment Rate

2.89

Unemployment Rate Ratio

2,190

Poverty Population

Severely Distressed Census Tract

Census tract (26121000800) is severely distressed based on unemployment rate (>1.5x national average) poverty rate (>30%).

Additional Distress Criteria

SBA Hubzone | Brownfields | Food Desert | Opportunity Zone

Renovation & Rehab

10,546 SF new construction
53,000 SF rehab
Upgrading HVAC & lighting
Geothermal energy source
Improved access for individuals with disabilities

The Clubhouse MKG, a 63,000 SF multi-tenant community center, is located on the shore of Lake Michigan in downtown Muskegon.

The $10 million renovation and expansion to a 44-year-old building will activate a long-time community asset. The Clubhouse MKG is a place for youth, families, and seniors to gather and call a home away from home.

“This project has blossomed into more than just a Boys & Girls Club. It’s blossomed into an entire community center for everyone of all ages.”

Dakota Crow
Former Executive Director

53208 Zip Code Racial Demographics

Addressing Racial Inequities

The communities UEC serves, including that around the Washington Park branch, are some of the hardest hit by COVID-19. Milwaukee’s Black and Latinx communities are suffering from COVID-19 disproportionately to White Milwaukeeans. Furthermore, as seen across the globe, low- income individuals are hit hardest by the economic impacts of COVID.

In communities like Washington Park, where 44% of residents are Black, and nearly 30% live below the poverty line, the economic, physical health, and emotional ramifications of the pandemic are profound.

In a typical year, the Center will see an average of 31,000 program participants. During the pandemic, Washington Park saw an average of 81,000 visits to the park, in addition to program participants.

Neal Fitness Center

Urban Ecology Center's Programs

UEC’S programs bring children and families into nature. As a result, urban parks are safe to visit, kids are acquire the science skills they need to succeed, and adults keep learning about how our changing world around us works.

Programming includes: summer camp, Neighborhood Environmental Education Project (NEEP), Preschool Environmental Education Project (PEEP), research and community science programs, land stewardship volunteer activities, and ad hoc groups.

NEEP programs are offered to schools at 30% of the cost with donors/funders offsetting the remaining 70% with contributions. Summer camp programs are offered on a sliding fee scale based on financial need. Generally, 50% of summer camp participants receive a scholarship.

Washington Park Center Sustainability Features

The Project architects used the AIA Framework for Design Excellence to track UEC’s sustainability goals. Additional metrics were guided by LEED v4, WELL v2, and the Living Building Challenge.