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Planning Commission Agenda, 2026-09-10
- 836 Livingston Ave NE : rezoning to facilitate development
- 1038 Leonard St NW : Special Land Use for 24-hour operation and ground floor office use
- 863 7th St NW : Special Land Use for residential development, parking waiver, and Vital Streets waiver
- 1951 Fuller Ave NE : rezoning to facilitate development
- 1911 Fuller Ave NE : rezoning to facilitate development
#GrandRapidsMI
https://urbangr.org/PlanningCommission20260910
The redevelopment of the former Stocking Elementary (863 7th St NW) will be before the Grand Rapids Planning Commission on September 10th (2026). #GrandRapidsMI
https://www.fox17online.com/news/local-news/grand-rapids/stocking-elementary-redevelopment-plan-takes-shape-ahead-of-key-planning-meeting
A program orchestrated by the Eastown Community Association to clear sidewalks in the winter will receive a $76,000 boost. #GrandRapidsMI
https://www.fox17online.com/news/local-news/grand-rapids/community-program-helping-neighbors-clear-snow-receives-funding-as-part-of-76k-in-city-grants
The Convention/Arena Authority (which also owns the Stadium and Amphitheater) is moving forward with a $175,000 feasibility study to evaluate two possible downtown locations for a 400 - 600 room convention hotel. The study will be completed in 13 weeks; roughly Thanksgiving week. Conversations about a convention hotel have been going on for a decade.
The estimated cost based on a 2025 analysis is $354,900,000. #GrandRapidsMI
https://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/2026/08/downtown-grand-rapids-convention-hotel-discussion-advances-with-new-feasibility-study.html
The agenda for the Planning Commission / MobileGR joint meeting has been published. This meeting concerns the development of the Grand Rapids Mobility Blue Print (GRMB).
The GRMB is intended to be an amendment to the Master Plan, and thus a document with legal standing. It is vital that this document be good! Be prepared to engage. 🖖 The city could, finally, after decades of blither blather, have an organized approach to mobility.
#GrandRapidsMI #MobilityGR
https://grandrapidscitymi.iqm2.com//Citizens/detail_meeting.aspx?ID=7877
Twister's Ice Cream (956 Fulton St W) - which 🔥exploded🔥 due to a gas leak on Monday, June 29th - to become four-story 52-unit senior residential "Alpine Apartments". Project has been in the works since February, months before the detonation. #GrandRapidsMI
Talk by Nolan Gray, author of "Arbitrary Lines" and leaning national expert on the Housing Crisis. Followed by a panel discussion with Mr. Gray, Representative Stephen Wooden, and Joshua Lunger (Senior Vice President of Advocacy for the Grand Rapids Chamber).
Event was hosted by Abundant Housing Michigan and Strongtowns Grand Rapids.
#Housing #Zoning #UrbanPlanning #GrandRapidsMI
https://youtu.be/XYS8HkpyfLU?si=vYqffPh-6dCs3TYc
RE: @whitemice@mastodon.social
Additionally, you will learn your street grid!
Books & Mortar (966 Cherry St. SE), the book store in Center of the Universe / East Hills, which opened in 2016 announced they were closing on July 12th (2026). And now the shop, with new owners, will be reopening this fall. #GrandRapidsMI
https://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/2026/08/shuttered-grand-rapids-bookstore-set-to-reopen-after-outpouring-of-community-support.html
The GR Forward plan was adopted in 2015, after engagement with over 4,000 residents, to steer the development of downtown and downtown's interfacing with the neighborhoods. It's been ten years! An amazing amount has been accomplished. Now it is time to update GR Forward, many things have changed, you can learn more and participate in the guiding survey @ https://www.corepriorities.org/ #GRForward #CorePrioritiesGR #GrandRapidsMI #GRForward2026
This Thursday you have the opportunity to weigh in on the future of US-131; the interstate stabbed through city's heart by the misguided policies of the late 20rh century. This event is not hosted by the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), this is not disingenuous and performative "public engagement" meant to justify their foregone conclusion. This could be the beginning of a movement to essentially change the character of downtown Grand Rapids. #GrandRapidsMI
https://urbangr.org/US131April302026
Planning Commission Agenda, 2026-07-23
House Rules gaming lounge expanding yet again after 30% annual revenue growth and turning away customers every day. Expansion should be complete by October 1st. #GrandRapidsMI https://www.crainsgrandrapids.com/restaurants/cgr-house-rules-plans-expansion-into-former-moosejaw-20260820/?utm_id=gfta-ur-260824&share-code=P3VFPN5QUVEC7JJIPM4VICQD44&user_id=4488858&customer_secondary_source=cgr_articleGifting
Are you a 1st Ward resident with a passion for mobility issues? The Vital Streets Commission is closing out the year with one (1) vacancy. Currently the commission has no representation from the 1st Ward; if you would be interested you should contact Commissioner Belchak to express your interest.
Note that the Vital Streets Commission is also, currently, entirely Caucasian. Additional representation on all axis would be a plus.
Maybe not you, but perhaps you know someone? #GrandRapidsMI
West side bar and music venue Tip Top Deluxe Bar & Grill (760 Butterworth St SW) is for sale. And its not just the venue, the sale is for the bar and two adjacent parcels.totaling 0.273 acres, two corners, and a mix of commercial and residential zoning. Price ~$1.75M.
#GrandRapidsMI
https://www.woodtv.com/news/grand-rapids/grand-rapids-tip-top-deluxe-bar-grill-for-sale/
The Iron Well bar and music venue (741 Leonard St. NW) near the intersection of Leonard and Alpine is for sale; could be yours for a little less than $2M. #GrandRapidsMI
https://www.woodtv.com/news/grand-rapids/leonard-street-bar-music-venue-for-sale/
Foxtail Coffee to open its ninth Michigan location in the new Adobe West Fulton (617 W. Fulton St). Opening is planned for mid-to-late 2027.
#GrandRapidsMI
https://www.crainsgrandrapids.com/restaurants/cgr-foxtail-grand-rapids-abode-west-fulton-cafe-20260817/?utm_id=gfta-ur-260821&share-code=3CILZEL7HVFBJCR4ZKG4TZOGVA&user_id=4488858&customer_secondary_source=cgr_articleGifting.
StrongtownsGR meeting this week Wednesday at the Broadleaf Brewing on Bridge St. 2026-08-19 at 6:30pm. Let's talk about the future of downtown (GR Forward), transit & mobility (The MobileGR Blueprint), and organizing. #GrandRapidsMI #Strongtowns #StrongtownsGR #CorePrioritiesGR
Roskam Foods moving all cereal and granola production from San Dimas, CA to Grand Rapids, MI (2600 29th St. SE). #GrandRapidsMI https://www.crainsgrandrapids.com/consumer-products/cgr-roskam-foods-relocates-cereal-granola-production-to-grand-rapids-20260818/?utm_id=gfta-ur-260818&share-code=7CGUQDSLMZBUNHATBCUZPI65QA&user_id=4488858&customer_secondary_source=cgr_articleGifting
New restaurant coming to the currently vacant 428 Bridge St. NW in the Spring. This fall the location will serve as the ArtPrize clubhouse. #GrandRapidsMI
https://www.crainsgrandrapids.com/restaurants/cgr-james-beard-nominee-plans-new-bridge-street-restaurant-cattail-20260813/?utm_id=gfta-ur-260814&share-code=M7BYGAMPSFHZZHQAWNIEN3XSFU&user_id=4488858&customer_secondary_source=cgr_articleGifting
Planning Commission Agenda, 2026-09-24
- 3127 Plainfield Avenue NE : that Culvers, removed from the agenda again
- 15 Ionia Ave. SW Suite 130 : florist, tea and cocktail lounge with venue, late night operation
- 201 Hastings St NE : PRD amendment, ground floor office space
- Zoning Amendments, GR Overlay : Prohibit self-storage on the river's edge
https://urbangr.org/PlanningCommission20260924
#GrandRapidsMI
The first home game for AC Grand Rapids - the first soccer game in the new stadium on the west side - will be on March 19th, 2027. #GrandRapidsMI #soccer
https://www.crainsgrandrapids.com/real-estate/commercial/cgr-amway-stadium-progresses-20260915/?utm_id=gfta-ur-260917&share-code=HEGCG7KYWJFTDOBXRJ2L7C7R5A&user_id=4488858&customer_secondary_source=cgr_articleGifting
The top four floors of the 134 year old "Trust" building (40 Pearl St NW) to become a sixty-three (63) room boutique hotel named The Vault, a high-end fitness center on the second floor, and the buildings vault will be converted to a cocktail bar. #GrandRapidsMI
https://www.crainsgrandrapids.com/real-estate/commercial/cgr-trust-building-conversion-to-vault-hotel-20260625/?utm_id=gfta-ur-260917&share-code=V73S47EROZEGXEK6MOYG5AORZM&user_id=4488858&customer_secondary_source=cgr_articleGifting
Consumer spending in downtown Grand Rapids has increased 22% over the last twelve months, 😮 and June to July saw a 5% increase. 📈 #GrandRapidsMI
Downtown office space vacancy has 👉declined👈 to 7% from 11% at this time last year. #GrandRapidsMI
Construction to begin on three-story twenty-six (26) unit affordable housing development at 443 Sheldon Ave SE. This is the Stransen Development Group's first development, founded by Bryce Hansen with support from the Grand Rapids' emerging developer grant and the Grand Rapids' Land Bank. #GrandRapidsMI
https://www.crainsgrandrapids.com/real-estate/residential/cgr-26-unit-genesis-landing-starts-construction-20260909/?utm_id=gfta-ur-260911&share-code=V5EAMCWZFFD4VPO5KKCRNBYZ6E&user_id=4488858&customer_secondary_source=cgr_articleGifting
3,920sq/ft leased at 120 Ionia Ave SW for the new corporate headquarters of Root Functional Medicine. One more medical sector headquarters choosing downtown Grand Rapids. #GrandRapidsMI #UrbanDoomLoop
https://www.crainsgrandrapids.com/real-estate/commercial/cgr-root-functional-medicine-moves-hq-to-downtown-grand-rapids-20260904/?utm_id=gfta-ur-260908&share-code=RFDC2DLCUFFFDBFU3D7NPCFA4A&user_id=4488858&customer_secondary_source=cgr_articleGifting
On the agenda this week: extending the downtown social district south on Division Ave from Oakes to 117 Division S. This will include Trust and Tellers Lounge within the social district. #GrandRapidsMI
Local bookstore Books & Mortar (966 Cherry St SE) with closed on July reopens today (2026-09-04) at 10am under its new owners. The store had closed on August 1st.
The store now features an expanded children's section. #GrandRapidsMI #UrbanDoomLoop
https://therapidian.org/books-mortar-reopens-under-new-ownership
Demolition of the old Kent Community Hospital (750 Fuller Ave NE) to begin, to make way for the new four-story Kent County administrative facility. The adjacent building at 790 Fuller Ave NE use by Network 180 is not being demolished. #GrandRapidsMI
https://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/2026/09/demolition-starts-soon-on-former-grand-rapids-hospital-building-off-i-196.html
