Windward Pointe is the redevelopment of the former Sappi property on Muskegon Lake, turning a long-time industrial site into a new neighborhood on the waterfront. Parkland Properties is leading the project working closely with the City of Muskegon and the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) for necessary approvals for the project.

This page will share updates as the project moves from planning to construction over the next few years.

History of the Property
From 1900 to 2009, this property was home to a paper mill that, at its peak, employed more than 1,000 people. When the mill closed in 2009, the site was decommissioned, and many of its buildings were removed.

In 2016, a group of local philanthropists formed Pure Muskegon to purchase the property with the goal of preparing it for redevelopment. Their work paved the way for what is now the Windward Pointe project.

Recent Progress

Environmental & Design Approvals
Parkland Properties is in the final stages of getting approvals for Phase 1 of the project. This first phase will feature single-family, owner-occupied homes along the waterfront. Some changes to the original plan have been approved, including shifting roads and sidewalks closer to the waterfront and reducing the total number of homes by about 15 from the original, approved PUD. You can see the updated PUD in the Support Documents section.

See EGLE's feedback on this matter here: https://www.michigan.gov/pfasresponse/investigations/sites-aoi/muskegon-county/former-sd-warren-sappi.

Public Comment Period
As part of the environmental review of the project, EGLE has provided a public comment period so community members can share their feedback before any approvals are finalized. Learn more here: https://www.michigan.gov/pfasresponse/investigations/sites-aoi/muskegon-county/former-sd-warren-sappi

Traffic Study
Before Labor Day in 2025, Parkland Properties conducted a traffic study along Lakeshore Drive in the Lakeside neighborhood to better understand how traffic from the future Windward Pointe development would flow through local streets. The study examined how vehicles would exit the development, move through nearby intersections, and disperse into surrounding areas. It did not evaluate beach traffic specifically, as any development in the metro area—whether in Muskegon or a neighboring community—inevitably affects beach traffic. Including it in this study could have created the false impression that Windward Pointe alone was causing those impacts.

Model Homes
Parkland plans to build model homes on-site before roads and full utilities are installed. These homes will be used for tours with potential buyers and stakeholders, which is a common step in large-scale developments. These will not be owner occupied.

Updates will continue to be shared here as the project moves forward.