Grand Rapids moves forward with amphitheater planned along Grand River
Commissioners passed an option agreement allowing for the sale of city property to the Grand Rapids-Kent County Convention/Arena Authority. Author: Emma Nicolas Updated: 11:56 PM EST February 9, 2021
City-owned property along the Grand River could be sold and become the site of a 14-thousand seat amphitheater under an agreement passed unanimously by Grand Rapids commissioners Tuesday.
The Grand Rapids-Kent County Convention/Arena Authority (CAA), the board that oversees Van Andel Arena and DeVos Place, will spend the months ahead looking into the development at 201 Market Avenue SW further before officially closing on the estimated $24.5 million sale.
Grand Rapids Business Journal
The Grand Rapids City Commission kicked off its new legislative year focusing on job and housing creation.
The city commission held public hearings on two proposed development projects that will result in 245 jobs coming to Grand Rapids with an estimated $142,616 in new annual income tax revenue to the city. It also supported future housing development totaling $87 million that will create 308 new housing units 263 of which will be affordable. It also learned more about proposed zoning changes that would promote the development of new housing.
Mayor Rosalynn Bliss said the incentives provided by the commission are an investment in Grand Rapids’ future economic prosperity and housing needs.
Nonprofit petitions for urban campground for homeless people in downtown Grand Rapids
Updated Jan 14, 2021;
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GRAND RAPIDS, MI A nonprofit is working to get the Grand Rapids City Commission to turn Heartside Park into an urban campground for homeless people.
Justice for Black Lives launched its online petition Monday, Jan. 11, asking people to support the conversion to an urban campground that would provide a safe and clean space for those who are unhoused but don’t want to go into congregate shelter.
The petition comes after the city’s controversial move a few days before Christmas to crack down on some 100 people staying in tents at the downtown park. On Dec. 21, police and other city staff told the homeless in the park they couldn’t stay another night because of an ordinance forbidding overnight camping.
Hundreds of letters sent to Grand Rapids City Commission condemning homeless encampment sweep
Updated Jan 12, 2021;
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City Clerk Joel Hondorp said the majority of the roughly 390 emails sent to city commissioners were copy-and-pasted letters from people demanding the city allow those experiencing homelessness to remain in encampments should individual housing not be available.
Their demand aligns with U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance on allowing encampments during the pandemic if “individual housing” isn’t available. Congregate shelter space is the only option available to the majority of single adults experiencing homelessness in Kent County.
“Our neighbors from the Heartside Park encampment are part of our community. City workers have treated them not like community members, but like garbage,” the emails state. “. We want to know who is responsible for the decision to send in city workers to violently tear apart this comm