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Grand Rapids Reporter

Saturday, April 27, 2024

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Local Government

City of Grand Rapids Releases Inaugural Report on Surveillance Activities

Published on April 24, 2024GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The City of Grand Rapids has issued its first report on surveillance activities, which found no adverse impacts on the public's constitutional rights. Brandon Davis, interim managing director of the Office of Oversight & Public Accountability and Office of Equity & Engagement, presented the report to the Grand Rapids City Commission's Public Safety Committee.The report, covering the period from January 3, 2022, to June 30, 2023, focused on the City's use of surveillance equipment and services. Brandon Davis highlighted the...

By Grand Rapids Reporter | Apr 24, 2024

Local Government

City approves zoning text amendments

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Grand Rapids City Commission has unanimously approved a series of Zoning Ordinance text amendments aimed at enhancing housing supply, diversifying housing types, and promoting housing affordability. These amendments cover various aspects such as accessory dwelling units, unrelated occupants in a household, single room occupancy dwellings, transitional and emergency housing, small-scale residential infill, and certain parking regulations.Kristin Turkelson, the planning director, highlighted the significance of these changes, stating, “The zoning...

By Grand Rapids Reporter | Apr 23, 2024

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Local Government

Transformational Investments and City Services Highlight Proposed FY25 Budget in Grand Rapids

By Grand Rapids Reporter | Apr 23, 2024

City Manager Mark Washington presented the fiscal year 2025 proposed budget to the City Commission, outlining a $690 million spending plan aimed at continuing strategic objectives and making transformational investments. Washington emphasized that the budget will address crucial issues related to safety, health, environment, mobility, economic prosperity, housing, community engagement, and governmental excellence.Washington stated, "The FY25 Preliminary Fiscal Plan builds upon investments made in prior fiscal years and allows us to be consistent with our values and...

Local Government

10th Annual Neighborhood Summit in Grand Rapids Opens Registration for May 18 Event

By Grand Rapids Reporter | Apr 18, 2024

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich – Registration is now open to attend the 2024 Grand Rapids Neighborhood Summit. Celebrating its tenth year, the Grand Rapids Neighborhood Summit encourages community members to join fellow Grand Rapidians for a remarkable day-long learning experience focused on resident voice and racial equity.The free event, Saturday, May 18 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. aims to bring together Grand Rapids residents and stakeholders to learn, strategize, and connect to make our city a more equitable place for all. Grand Valley State University’s Pew Campus, 401 Fulton St. W,...

Local Government

Oversight and Public Accountability hosts May 4 Expungement Fair

By Grand Rapids Reporter | Apr 15, 2024

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The City of Grand Rapids Office of Oversight and Public Accountability (OPA) and its community partners will host the third annual Project Clean Slate Expungement Fair on Saturday, May 4. The event aims to assist individuals in navigating Michigan's Clean Slate expungement process.Brandon Davis, the director of oversight and public accountability, expressed his enthusiasm for hosting the event, which last year successfully helped over 600 people with the expungement process. Davis highlighted the positive impact of the expungement program on...

Local Government

City announces ninth annual summer series of free outdoor fitness

By Grand Rapids Reporter | Apr 15, 2024

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The City of Grand Rapids, in partnership with Priority Health and Downtown Grand Rapids Inc., is hosting the ninth annual summer of free outdoor fitness in parks and public spaces across the city. The 16 dance, cardio, and yoga classes will run weekly from May 13 to Aug. 22.Classes will be held weekly, Monday through Thursday. All classes are free of charge, no registration required. Cancellations due to weather will be announced on the Parks and Recreation Facebook page and on the department’s cancellation hotline at 616-456-3699.According to...

Local Government

City of Grand Rapids Achieves ENERGY STAR Building Status for Five Buildings

By Grand Rapids Reporter | Apr 8, 2024

The City of Grand Rapids in Michigan has recently announced that five of its buildings have achieved the prestigious U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) ENERGY STAR® certification for exceptional energy performance in 2023. Among these, three buildings have secured the ENERGY STAR certification for five consecutive years from 2018 to 2023, while the other two buildings received the certification for both 2023 and 2018.Operating buildings in an energy-efficient manner not only reduces costs but also improves air quality and decreases greenhouse gas emissions....

Local Government

City invests in community through Neighborhood Match Fund projects

By Grand Rapids Reporter | Apr 2, 2024

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The City of Grand Rapids has recently announced its latest round of Neighborhood Match Fund (NMF) investments, totaling $75,509 to support 24 community projects. This fiscal year, the NMF has already supported a total of 52 projects with an investment of $165,309, promoting a deeper sense of community belonging among residents.A team of City administrators and community leaders carefully reviewed all NMF applications for alignment with program objectives, emphasizing social justice and inclusion. The NMF committee engaged with project leads to ensure...

Local Government

City of Grand Rapids Announces Start of Yard Waste Curbside Collection Service

By Grand Rapids Reporter | Mar 27, 2024

The City of Grand Rapids is set to kick off its curbside yard waste collection service on Monday, April 1. According to a city announcement, "Curbside yard waste is collected on the same day as refuse collection through the second Saturday in December, weather permitting." Residents are reminded that "All yard waste needs to be placed at the refuse collection point by 7 a.m."This curbside yard waste collection service is a pay-for option provided by the Department of Public Works. Those interested in signing up for the service can do so by visiting...

Local Government

Boil Water Notice Lifted in Grand Rapids After City's Swift Response

By Grand Rapids Reporter | Mar 20, 2024

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Effective immediately, the City of Grand Rapids has lifted the boil water advisory issued on March 17, 2024. City Manager Mark Washington expressed gratitude for the swift response of the staff during the boil water period, stating, “This is exactly what our community expects in challenging times and our employees never fail to deliver.”Washington emphasized that while residents can now resume normal water usage, the city will continue to assess the event, determine lessons learned, and improve future response strategies. Mayor Bliss also commended...

Local Government

Bing Goei Appointed Third Ward Commissioner

By Grand Rapids Reporter | Mar 19, 2024

Published on March 19, 2024GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Grand Rapids City Commission has unanimously approved and appointed Bing Siong Goei to fill the Third Ward Commissioner position left vacant by the resignation of Commissioner Nathaniel Moody. Goei, a 64-year Grand Rapids resident, is the first Asian American to serve on the Grand Rapids City Commission and is a small business entrepreneur and owner of two Grand Rapids businesses – Eastern Floral and the Goei Center.Mayor Rosalynn Bliss expressed her gratitude to the Committee on Appointments for their work in the...

Local Government

First Round of Grand Rapids Water Testing Comes Back Negative

By Grand Rapids Reporter | Mar 19, 2024

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The City of Grand Rapids has announced that the first round of water testing results has come back negative. In response to a significant water main break near Leonard and Union on March 17, the city conducted the testing in accordance with state and federal regulations."The results have come back NEGATIVE. This is a positive sign," stated city officials.Despite the negative results, the Boil Water Advisory remains in effect for the affected areas as a precautionary measure. Residents are advised not to drink tap water without boiling it first....

Local Government

Bottled Water Distribution Continues; Location Shifts to Huff Park

By Grand Rapids Reporter | Mar 19, 2024

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The City of Grand Rapids will continue hosting water bottle distribution for those impacted by the ongoing Boil Water Advisory. Affected residents will be provided one (1) case of water per vehicle, courtesy of SpartanNash, from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., March 20, 2024 while supplies last.Drivers are asked to access the distribution point located at the Huff Park baseball field parking lot at 2399 Ball Ave NE.On 17 March, the City of Grand Rapids issued a formal Boil Water Advisory for the area generally bounded East of US 131 and North of Hall...

Local Government

City and SpartanNash Continue Bottle Water Distribution

By Grand Rapids Reporter | Mar 18, 2024

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The City of Grand Rapids announced today that they will continue hosting water bottle distribution for those affected by the ongoing Boil Water Advisory. According to a statement by the City of Grand Rapids, "The City of Grand Rapids will continue hosting water bottle distribution for those impacted by the ongoing Boil Water Advisory." The distribution will take place on March 19, 2024, from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at 1635 Leonard St. NE.Drivers in the affected area are advised to follow specific instructions provided by the city. "Drivers are asked...

Local Government

SpartanNash Teaming Up with City to Distribute Bottled Water

By Grand Rapids Reporter | Mar 18, 2024

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – SpartanNash, in conjunction with the City of Grand Rapids, will be hosting a water bottle distribution event for those affected by the March 17th Boil Water Advisory. According to the announcement by SpartanNash and the City of Grand Rapids, "Impacted residents will be provided one (1) case of water per vehicle." The event will take place this evening from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at 1635 Leonard St. NE, with drivers asked to follow instructions and temporary signs as they access the distribution point. "Please be patient and follow staff instructions...

Local Government

Water Main Break in Grand Rapids Prompts Boil Water Advisory

By Grand Rapids Reporter | Mar 17, 2024

The Grand Rapids Water Department is currently dealing with a significant water main break on the Northeast side of Grand Rapids, affecting multiple water pumping pressure districts. In response to the situation, customers in specific areas have been advised to take precautions."As a precaution, Grand Rapids Water customers East of US 131 and North of Hall Street should boil their water as crews work to make repairs due to the loss in pressure for a large area and pressure districts impacted," stated the water department.The advisory specified that residents residing...

Local Government

GRPD Announces its 2023 Employees of the Year

By Grand Rapids Reporter | Mar 15, 2024

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Grand Rapids Police Department (GRPD) celebrated the achievements of three outstanding individuals by naming them as the 2023 Employees of the Year. Officer Joseph Garrett, Officer René Garza, and Clorissa Novak were recognized for their exceptional contributions to the Grand Rapids community and the department.Officer Joseph Garrett, a member of the Special Response Team and the US Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force, was commended for his exemplary service and dedication. With a background in Criminal Law and fluency in English and Spanish,...

Local Government

Grand Rapids Residents Encouraged to Provide Feedback on City Services

By Grand Rapids Reporter | Mar 7, 2024

Grand Rapids, Mich. – The City of Grand Rapids is once again urging all community members to provide feedback on City services, programs, events, and facilities. The Grand Rapids’ National Community Survey (NCS) is now open for participation until Thursday, March 21, 2024.Residents who were part of the initial phase of the survey initiative and received a survey via mail are requested to share their feedback either through the provided online link or by returning the completed survey via mail as instructed.According to city officials, the survey, consisting of 31...

Local Government

Applications now available for the GRow1000 summer employment program

By Grand Rapids Reporter | Mar 5, 2024

Applications are now open for the City of Grand Rapids' GRow1000 Summer Youth Employment Program, offering young people the chance to earn money while gaining valuable workplace skills. According to City Manager Mark Washington, the program is a great opportunity for the city's youth to explore career pathways and prepare for future success.The program aims to hire nearly 200 individuals aged 15 to 24, who will earn $13 per hour for 20 hours of work per week. In addition to work experience, participants will also benefit from workshops focusing on customer service, growth...

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Local Government

Did farm subsidies in cities associated with Kent County rise or fall in 2021?

By Grand Rapids Reporter | Feb 27, 2024

Farms throughout cities in Kent County received $17.8 million less in subsidies in 2021 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture compared to the year before.