J.W. Morgan Construction Breaks Ground On New Homes at Woodland Trails in Owosso

May 7, 2024

Pictured left to right: Jennifer Gelletly, AKT Peerless; Justin Horvath, SEDP; Phil Hathaway, City of Owosso (Retired); Bob Filka, Home Builders Association of Michigan; Joseph Rivet, State Land Bank Association; Jeremy Morgan, J.W. Morgan Construction; Jerry Meyer, Shiawassee County Land Bank Authority; Mark Semans, Woodland Trails Condominium Association; Brian Boggs, Shiawassee County; Robin Durepo, Woodland Trails Condominium Association; Mike Vuckovich, Woodland Trails Condominium Associati

Swartz Creek-based J.W. Morgan Construction has officially closed on two lots in the Woodland Trails condominium development in Owosso, with an agreement in place with the Shiawassee County Land Bank Authority (SCLBA) to acquire and construct new homes on all remaining buildable parcels (14 in total) over the next four years. A groundbreaking ceremony was held on Tuesday, May 7th to commemorate the announcement.

Woodland Trails was started in 2003, but multiple lots remained vacant for many years. The land eventually came under the ownership of the Michigan State Land Bank Authority, which turned the property over to the SCLBA upon its establishment in 2022. Since that time, the SCLBA has worked diligently in partnership with the Woodland Trails Condominium Association and the City of Owosso to make it possible for new construction to happen.

“These new homes will be the result of much hard work and cooperation from many members of our community,” said Greg Brodeur, Chair of the Shiawassee County Board of Commissioners and a member of the SCLBA board. “I would like to thank the City of Owosso and the homeowners in Woodland Trails for helping to clear the way for this exciting project.”

Housing development has been an increasingly high priority for Shiawassee County. The SCLBA recently completed a county-wide market analysis of housing needs last year and is now seeking projects to address market gaps.

“It has become clear that Shiawassee County needs to increase our housing stock of all types, and we are excited to see Woodland Trails moving to completion,” said Justin Horvath, President/CEO of Shiawassee Economic Development Partnership, which provides staffing support to the SCLBA.

“This project marks a significant milestone as we introduce plans for fourteen new homes – the result of collaborative efforts between the city, the county, the county land bank, and a local builder. These fourteen new homes represent progress, offering opportunity for families seeking to put down roots in our community,” said City of Owosso Mayor Rob Teich.

Buyers interested in the new condominium units can contact J.W. Morgan Construction at jeremy@jwmorganconstruction.com.