The Hastings City Council gave final approval Monday night to the site plan and Planned Unit Development for a mixed-use residential development on the north shore of the Thornapple River, where the former Royal Coach building stood on Mill Street. The project will bring 135 apartment units to the city and will be built in two stages; the first stage to include three apartment buildings, parking, a promenade connecting to the Thornapple River pedestrian bridge, and other infrastructure.   Later a commercial building, farmers market, and parking will be added in stage two.

The site plan gained the approval and recommendation of the City Planning Commission early in July by developer CopperRock Construction. CopperRock is naming the development the Thornapple River Mill Project and will use external brick and architectural features reminiscent of the old Hastings Table Company’s Royal Coach building.

In his monthly report to the Council, Community Development Director Dan King said that in addition to the Thornapple River Mill Project on the Royal Coach site,  construction should begin soon along West State Street on the 60 unit 'Tyden Lofts' housing project west of the Adrounie House and former Barry County Friend of the Court building. Plus, the Hastings Planning Commission has been working with Meadowstone Apartments which is seeking to add five more buildings to their planned unit development on South Hanover/Barfield Drive to add around 90 one-bedroom apartments.