By Anthony Shaff | Staff Writer

Plainwell, MI 10/22/2025

Watts Homes and Construction Paper Mill Project Layout –

Make way for upcoming construction at the old site of the Plainwell Paper Company. The paper mill has been a landmark piece in the city of Plainwell’s history and this location will continue to serve its community in a variety of ways.There have been several proposed ideas with what to do with the property since the city of Plainwell purchased it in 2006. The 2025 Mill Project has come further than any other idea to date. 

The biggest part of this project is to build a new housing development taking place in downtown Plainwell. The plans are still being finalized but the idea is to develop the lot.The project proposal is being presented by Watts Homes & Construction out of Richland, MI. They plan on developing the vacant lot and putting up new homes. 

Justin Lakamper, City Manager for the city of Plainwell, shares “There is a nationwide need for housing, including right here in Plainwell. Part of the need is to lower the cost of housing and one of the best ways to lower the cost is to increase the supply of housing. There will be a variety of housing types and price points which will help those looking for housing find a home that is right for them.

 While construction is not expected to begin until spring 2026 -The development plan is still in the planning processes and several steps need to be taken before any construction can start. There are several meetings and behind the scenes paper work that still need to be completed.  Lakamper shares “the developer has presented the community with some preliminary layouts and housing designs, which was in part what we used to select the developer. Those layouts and design will need to be further developed and approved by the Planning Commission and City Council as we go through the zoning process.”

The project is going to be separated into two separate phases. Phase one will be the construction of the condominiums and phase two will be the construction of single family homes. The overall project is predicted to be completed in two years.

The condominiums will be put in along the Kalamazoo River north of the Plainwell police station. Prince St. and will be extended north and turn east along the Kalamazoo river. The condos north of the new street will have a view of the Kalamazoo running along the back of the property. Watts Homes and Construction have published a layout of what the condos will be like. There will be a total of 46 units divided between condos that will be a mix of two units and four units. Each individual unit will have one bedroom, two bathrooms, and a two car garage. 

Those aren’t the only housing going in, there is also a new neighborhood being put in. Just between the police station and the remaining parts of the Plainwell paper mill. There will be a neighborhood section being put in next to the police station consisting of 40 single family houses. Thirty of these houses will be put in a large loop going around the 10 remaining homes. These homes will vary in size, the smallest option being a one bed one bath home. The largest of the single family houses will be a two story house with three bedrooms, two and a half bathrooms and include a two car garage. 

These new homes will be very beneficial to not only the new residents but also to the community. With the demand in the current housing market the variety in styles and sizes of homes will be good for new homebuyers or people who want to move into the city. The new homes will also benefit the city by providing property tax to help fund city maintenance and services. The new homes should also drive demands for more businesses in downtown Plainwell. 

The hope is to sell the remaining parts of the paper mill to businesses to further develop the area. Two potential companies who have made interest in sections of the property were a high end wedding venue and a classic car storage facility. 

Another part of the project is to add in green spaces once the construction is completed. These green spaces would be parks for the residents of the new neighborhoods. There is also a proposed plan to extend part of the sidewalks and put in a river trail that would run along the Kalamazoo river for the whole community to enjoy.