PLAINWELL, MI — A former Plainwell paper mill that once anchored the local economy is being turned into a new gathering place built around classic cars, restoration, entertainment and future business space. The property, which has sat largely unused since the mill closed in 2000, is now being redeveloped as the Michigan Classic Auto Mill.
The project is led by Darius and Rimante Grigaliunas, owners of Classic Auto Factory in DeKalb, Illinois. The couple moved their family to Michigan after deciding the long-vacant industrial site could become a destination that would draw people together instead of standing as a symbol of decline.
A mill that powered Plainwell for more than a century
The property dates back to 1887, when the Michigan Paper Company began operating there. For generations, the mill produced paper and supported hundreds of jobs, making it a major part of Plainwell’s identity and daily life.
The mill closed in 2000 after more than 110 years of operation, leaving behind a large industrial complex with limited use for nearly 26 years. Over time, the site became a reminder of how quickly a community landmark can go quiet when its original purpose ends.
City leaders say the property’s past has always made redevelopment important, but the scale of the challenge also made it difficult. The city eventually took ownership and began working through the long process of making the site usable again.
Environmental cleanup and demolition made the project possible
Plainwell City Manager Justin Lakamper said the site required major preparation before any new use could take shape. Because the property is part of a Superfund site, environmental contamination became one of the biggest obstacles.
Over the past decade, roughly 60% to 70% of the buildings that once stood on the property have been demolished, along with extensive environmental remediation. Lakamper described the effort as a 20-year project in the making, underscoring how much work was needed before redevelopment could move forward.
Several investors reportedly looked at the property over the years but walked away after seeing the amount of repair, cleanup and infrastructure work ahead. That changed when the Grigaliunases stepped in with a plan and experience that city officials believed matched the complexity of the site.
Why the city sold the remaining buildings for $1
The city sold the remaining vacant buildings to the couple for $1, a move Mayor Brad Keeler said was about responsibility rather than a giveaway. The goal was to find an owner willing to take on a site that needed major investment before it could again produce jobs and tax revenue.
Keeler said Darius Grigaliunas stood out because he had already run a classic automobile business in DeKalb and had worked on a large industrial building before. That background made him, in the mayor’s view, one of the few people prepared to take on such a difficult project.
Darius said the vision is not a quick flip but a long rebuild. He estimates the work will require a multimillion-dollar investment over three to five years.
Classic cars, family activities and room for future businesses
The first phase of the Michigan Classic Auto Mill will center on classic car restoration, storage and a showroom. The couple also plans live music, family activities and green space, creating a place that can host visitors even as the property continues to evolve.
Longer term, they hope to add restaurants and potentially other recreational or entertainment uses. Rimante Grigaliuniene said the idea is for people to experience the historic building while also having a reason to stay in the community.
The project is still years from reaching its full form, but the early plans already reflect a broader goal: turning a former industrial site into a place that works for both local residents and visitors.
A family move from Illinois to Michigan helps shape the project
The Grigaliunases moved their family from Illinois to Michigan about eight months ago, first living in an apartment before recently moving into a house. They have been together since 2008 and have three children: 12-year-old Benediktas and 9-year-old twins Salomeja and Antanina.
Rimante, who is originally from Lithuania, said her first visit to the United States left her amazed by the variety of cars she saw on the road. That early experience helped deepen her connection to the automotive world that now shapes the family’s life and work.
Darius, who competed in the 2004 Olympics, said leaving behind a successful business in Illinois was not easy. But the couple viewed the Plainwell project as a chance to build something larger than a car business alone.
Grand opening will give the public a first look on Oct. 3
The first major public event is set for Oct. 3, when the Michigan Classic Auto Mill plans to hold its grand opening. The celebration is expected to include classic cars, live music and a children’s area, along with opportunities for visitors to walk through the historic mill and see how far the redevelopment has come.
City officials expect the project to bring new jobs, more visitors and added tax revenue to Plainwell. Because the city previously owned the vacant property, it did not generate the same kind of tax income that an operating business would.
For the Grigaliunases, the larger goal is to create what Darius called “a diamond for the community” — a place where families can gather, memories can be made and a once-struggling landmark can take on a new purpose.
