Community Partners Celebrate Grand Opening of Washington Park Townhomes

May 8, 2026

L to R: Ryan Painter, Shiawassee Health & Wellness; Cindy Garber, Shiawassee County Board of Commissioners; Dr. Brian Boggs, County Administrator; Julie Sorenson, Treasurer; Justin Horvath, SEDP; Greg Brodeur, Shiawassee County Board of Commissioners Chair; Nathan Henne, City of Owosso Manager; and Tom Cook, Cook Family Foundation

A grand opening event was held Wednesday, May 6 to celebrate the construction of Washington Park, a multi-family development featuring 16 new townhomes in Owosso. The event brought together key stakeholders in the project, including the Shiawassee Economic Development Partnership (SEDP), Venture Housing, the City of Owosso, the Shiawassee County Land Bank, Shiawassee County Board of Commissioners, the Cook Family Foundation, the State Land Bank Authority, and the Michigan State Housing Development Housing Authority (MSHDA) as well as interested community members to tour the newly completed units.

The development is designed for low-to-moderate income families. This marks a significant milestone in affordable housing for the region, bringing together key players from both the private and public sectors. The project, costing approximately $8 million, features 2- and 3-bedroom options, a parking lot, and a playground for residents. Rents vary depending on income level, as the project is subsidized for low-income residents. At the time of the grand opening the development has already been fully leased, demonstrating the incredibly strong demand for housing projects like this in the community.

“Washington Park is a huge success for our community, and I am thrilled that the Shiawassee County Land Bank was able to assist in getting this project off the ground” said Greg Brodeur, Chair of the Shiawassee Board of Commissioners, as well as a board member to the County Land Bank. “This is another great example of what the tools available to us through the land bank can do for our community.”

President and CEO of the SEDP, Justin Horvath, had this to say about the project: “I am incredibly proud of our community for coming together in support of a project like Washington Park. Housing is an integral part of the growing economy here in Shiawassee County, and the rapid leasing of this development showcase just how much demand there is and will continue to be. A special thank you to the City of Owosso, the Shiawassee County Land Bank, the Board of Commissioners, and Venture Housing for the collaboration and commitment that was required to make this happen.”