Defunct Sterling Heights Mall Given New Life By MSF

(Source: MIRS.news, Published 06/23/2026) Help for the renovation of a dead mall, two renaissance zones, the awards for the Match on Main program and a $1.5 million grant were all approved by the Michigan Strategic Fund (MSF) Board on Tuesday.

The largest action taken by the MSF was to approve a Transformational Brownfield Plan worth nearly $271 million over 30 years that would redevelop the former Lakeside Mall in Sterling Heights into 1,545 housing units between nine buildings, create 154,007 square feet of commercial space, a community park, and a mix of street and lot parking.

“By redeveloping the Lakeside Mall in Sterling Heights, we’re creating more options for hardworking Michiganders to live and work in vibrant communities,” Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said.

Sterling Heights Mayor Michael Taylor said the mall was built 50 years ago and at one time was a regional destination for the area, but as shopping habits went online and changed the economy, that caused the mall’s demise in 2024.

“We all know that malls in the style of Lakeside are going away. This project provides a model for not just the city of Sterling Heights and Macomb County, but for other dying malls throughout the state of Michigan,” Taylor said.

The project is expected to cost more than $621 million and Sterling Heights is expecting to issue a bond worth $27.6 million to help with infrastructure costs.

Lionheart Capital Director of Development Colin Carby thanked all the entities involved in helping get the development project off the ground.

“This exemplary public-private collaboration reflects a shared vision to transform a functionally obsolescent and vacant property into a vibrant, walkable city center that will provide new housing, retail, parks, and community gathering spaces to residents of all ages, creating lasting economic and social benefits for Sterling Heights and the broader region for generations to come,” Carby said.

The MSF Board also approved two renaissance zones: One for Williams International Company in Pontiac and the other for the new La Colombe facility in Norton Shores.

The La Colombe facility was recently given a Strategic Site Readiness Program grant from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and Whitmer attended the groundbreaking for the new facility.

The renaissance zone for Williams International was an extension to 2047 after the company said it expected to construct a new 65,000 square foot turbine engine development and testing complex.

Three MSF Board members had to recuse themselves from the vote on the $1.5 million performance-based grant approved for Invest Detroit Foundation and the launch of Innovation Alliance.

The Innovation Alliance would be the first statewide alliance of research universities, industrial capabilities, entrepreneurs, and venture capital firms brought together in one place to help attract public and private investments, as well as business startup activity.

Invest Detroit CEO David Blaszkiewicz said the alliance project is a result of dozens of companies that wanted more collaboration and community in the venture capital community of the state.

He said it is about keeping and growing businesses in the state.

“This investment builds the infrastructure, positions, and vehicle to make that vision real, creating the conditions for founders and entrepreneurs not just to stay in Michigan, but to choose Michigan,” Blaszkiewicz said.

The MSF also approved awards for the 69 winners of the 2026 Match on Main program.

The 69 winners were chosen from 144 applicants from communities in all 83 counties, which was the most in the history of the grant program. The program started in 2019.

The total of the grant program was more than $1.5 million after $75,000 was rolled over from last year. The top awards were $25,000 and the smallest award was $1,611 to a café in Swartz Creek.

“Michigan’s small businesses are the heart of our downtowns. Today’s Match on Main grants will provide 69 small businesses across the state with the support they need to grow, thrive and create bustling, vibrant main streets,” Whitmer said.