Project T in Benton Harbor is moving forward.

Benton Harbor Mayor Marcus Muhammad tells us the city has closed on the sale of the former Mercy Hospital property for the new mixed-use development that’s set to include duplexes, apartments, and commercial space.

The property closed on Monday, and now Muhammad says ground will be broken in a few weeks. He says it’s gratifying to see the project happening after a lot of work.

“This has been a long time coming,” Muhammad said. “As you know, this property has been vacant for over a decade and we have talked to developer after developer and have heard all different types of ideas of what that property could be repurposed as.”

Muhammad says state support for the project has been secured, something that he thinks can serve as an example for communities across Michigan.

“I think it’s a model, actually, for what the new housing developments across the state, what it will look like and the kind of incentives and partnerships that it’ll take in order to make them happen.”

Project T developers Harbor Habitat and Renovare said in June that Phase 1 of the development will include 14 duplexes, 39 apartments on three floors, and ground floor commercial space, some of which will be occupied by Flowers Early Learning.

Muhammad notes the developers have been working with the Whirlpool Foundation to make the buildings energy efficient, further demonstrating the things that can be accomplished when the city works with its partners. The goal is to complete construction and start allowing new residents to move in next fall.