Community Development Committee Meeting - July 29, 2025

On July 29, 2025, at 9:15 AM, the Grand Rapids Community Development Committee convened and approved 15 resolutions spanning infrastructure improvements, public museum expansion, brownfield plan amendments, and other routine matters. The meeting adjourned at 9:52 AM.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Dale Robertson (President & CEO, Grand Rapids Public Museum) spoke in support of the museum expansion (Item 7), highlighting the need for a new elevator, the ability to double student capacity from 35,000 to 70,000 annually, and the fiscal wisdom of completing work concurrent with ongoing construction.
• Celine (applicant for Item 14 rezoning) was recognized after the vote; the motion had already carried. She was informed of the public hearing date.

Discussion Items

• Item 1 – Fireworks Permit: Approved unanimously for JDL FX LLC at Belknap Park for Breakaway Music Festival 2025 (August 15–16). Fire Chief confirmed no issues.
• Item 2 – Sidewalk Improvements (Fulton Street): Approved with one abstention (Commissioner [not named] cited need to process prior discussion). Project installs 6-foot sidewalks on the north side of Fulton from Plymouth to Worchester (0.5 mile), filling a gap. Uses $474,000 federal TAP grant; local share $640,105 from Vital Streets Fund. Contractor chose spring 2026 construction.
• Item 3 – Collendale Lift Station Improvements: Approved. Contract awarded to K&R (low bid $442,310; total not to exceed $673,725). Redesigned after rejection of a higher bid in March. Funded from Sewer System Fund.
• Item 4 – Stephen Street Reconstruction: Approved. Contract to Diversico Construction (low bid $3,169,855; total not to exceed $4,997,407). Includes water main replacement, boring under Silver Creek drain, contaminated groundwater treatment. 2.9% MLBE participation. Funded from Water System and Vital Streets Funds.
• Item 5 – WRRF Ferris Pumps & Piping Replacement: Approved. Contract to Franklin Hourda Company (low bid $489,000; total not to exceed $776,520). Replaces aging pumps critical for NPDES compliance. Funded from Sewer System Fund.
• Item 6 – Traffic Signal Optimization (CMAC Grant Phase 18): Approved. Agreement with Kimley Horn for $300,000. Ongoing work across multiple intersections (incl. 44th Street). Discussion on definition of “urban core” per USDOT.
• Item 7 – Grand Rapids Public Museum Expansion Phase 1A: Approved. Increased scope with OAK (construction manager) by $4,152,828; total phases 1A & 1B now exceed $22.3 million. Funds from Capital Improvement Fund. New elevator tower will serve future expansion.
• Item 8 – Brio Porter Hills Village Construction Agreement: Approved. Private retirement community in Grand Rapids Township; relocation of fire hydrants and sanitary sewer work.
• Item 9 – Wildflower Townhomes Easement Release: Approved. 33-unit development in Kentwood; water main relocation required adjustments to utility easements.
• Item 10 – US 131/Wealthy Street Interchange Planning: Approved. Authorizes $7 million of a $10 million MEDC grant for design, environmental review, and community engagement. Project aims to reconnect the community divided by the highway (built 1960s). Current traffic: 120,000 vehicles/day; estimated bridge replacement ~$200 million.
• Item 11 – Noise Variance Public Hearing Scheduling (MLK Jr. Bridge): Approved. Public hearing set for August 12, 2025, to consider MDOT’s request for up to 45 nights of night work (March–November 2026) for bridge replacement east of US 131.
• Item 12 – Brownfield Plan Amendment (280 & Northwest): Public hearing scheduled for August 12, 2025. 44 residential units (studios, one-bedrooms) in new 4-story building. Eligible activities increased from ~$701k to ~$4.2 million due to new housing eligibility. Total project $11.7 million.
• Item 13 – Brownfield Plan Amendment (Breton Meadows): Public hearing scheduled for August 12, 2025. Demolish former grocery store and build 7 buildings with 168 apartments (1–2 bedrooms). Total construction $28 million; $14.8 million in eligible activities.
• Item 14 – Rezoning (1356 Kalamazoo Ave SE): Public hearing scheduled for August 12, 2025. Rezone eastern ~60 feet to TNTBA district to unify split zoning and facilitate mixed-use redevelopment.
• Item 15 – Nuisance Special Assessment Roll 8800: Approved. Authorizes assessor to spread $417,191.16 in delinquent charges (1,298 invoices, 30% less than previous roll). Includes standard appeal process.

Key Outcomes

• 15 resolutions approved (all carried, with one abstention on Item 2).
• Public hearings scheduled for August 12, 2025, on: noise variance (Item 11), three brownfield plan amendments (Items 12, 13), and one rezoning (Item 14).
• Funding authorized: Total local share commitments include $640,105 (sidewalks), $673,725 (lift station), $4,997,407 (street reconstruction), $776,520 (pump replacement), $300,000 (signal optimization), $4,152,828 (museum expansion), and $7,000,000 (US 131 interchange planning).
• Next steps: Contractor to begin sidewalk work in spring 2026; US 131 interchange design and environmental work to proceed; museum expansion phase 1A to include elevator tower.