GRAND RAPIDS, Michigan — One of the hardest-hit areas from last week's storms was the Belknap neighborhood, specifically on Fairview Avenue NE.
Two of the properties have been condemned by the City of Grand Rapids and owners have until Dec.12 to either demolish the buildings or repair them.
The owner of Crestview Apartments, Gina Minciotti, has been working with the city and engineers to repair the 18-unit building.
Minciotti said the building has been in her family for 50 years. Her father purchased the structure from Pioneer Construction in 1970.
The third floor of the complex was the area that sustained most of the damage, and fortunately, she said no tenants that lived on the top floor were home during the storm.
Last weekend, she says at least 50 people from all over Grand Rapids came to the Belknap neighborhood to help clean up and sift through the debris.
"It's so overwhelming and I"m incredibly grateful. It brought out the best in people," Minciotti said.
She said while this storm left tragic consequences, she's grateful no one was injured.
"Buildings can be rebuilt, people cannot," Minciotti said.
Now, Minciotti along with the other building's property owner will assess the extent of the damage and determine whether rebuilding is feasible. Minciotti said she has no doubt that her team will be able to rebuild Crestview and bring it back up to code.
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