Jenifer Acosta specializes in historic preservation and reurbanization. As a real estate developer, consultant, and faculty for the Incremental Development Alliance, Jenifer Acosta works to reimagine historic buildings, create spaces and experiences that bring people back to downtown areas and encourage them to really live there. Jenifer earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Southern Illinois University and a master’s degree in international administration and sustainable development from University of Miami. She also holds a New York University graduate certificate in real estate development. She has founded the Young Preservationists - Great Lakes Bay; Co-founded Infuse Great Lakes Bay, a local community development nonprofit organization; and serves on a variety of local boards dedicated to creating positive change in their community.
Raised in Michigan by entrepreneurial parents, Jenifer has already brought new life to once-vacant landmark buildings in downtown Bay City (population 35,000).
Her projects encompass a wide range of property types and uses in the Great Lakes Bay area of Michigan. The Legacy is a 55,000 square foot building with a restaurant/retail space, 2 commercial suites, and 26 residential units in a former historic bank building from the 1890s. The Times Lofts consist of 31 residential lofts in a 38,000 square foot building. Jenifer currently working on a 12 unit residential building on the edge of the downtown Bay City on an environmentally remediated infill site.
Jenifer offers her expertise to nonprofit organizations including the Bay City Downtown Development Authority, Midland Area Community Foundation, Urban Land Institute, and is the founder of Young Preservationists-Great Lakes Bay. Jenifer also co-founded a community development organization, Infuse Great Lakes Bay, to encourage citizen-led investment as well as get the resources and tools to local projects for their success.
She and her husband, Anthony, live near Midland, MI with their two children.