The team developing a $27 million mixed-use project in East Village had a “celebratory groundbreaking” June 30 at 219 E. Grand Ave. The project is the catalyst for what will be $75 million in development projects, including a new parking ramp and two more mixed-use buildings. Jim Cownie is the principal investor. He is working with developers Jake Christensen and Tim Rypma. The building at 219 E. Grand will provide 98 residential apartments, including 13 two-story penthouse units, and 17,000 square feet of commercial space. To the west will be a six-level, 541-stall parking ramp that will provide for more parking than what was originally in the area. The parking ramp has an estimated cost of $19 million. The mixed-use building is expected to open in June 2017 and the parking ramp is expected to open later that year. Once the ramp is completed, the Cownie, Christensen and Rypma team will start work on the first of two mixed-use buildings that eventually will flank the ramp on the north and south. Progress can be followed via a webcam. The website also has additional information about the project. Ryan Cos. US Inc. is the construction manager, and Neumann Monson is the architect.