Grand Rapids Community Development Committee Meeting – March 17, 2026
Grand Rapids Community Development Committee Meeting – March 17, 2026
The Grand Rapids Community Development Committee met on March 17, 2026, from 9:16 AM to 9:44 AM. The committee reviewed and unanimously approved 14 resolutions covering infrastructure, parks, development, and planning matters. Staff provided explanations for each item, and commissioners engaged in detailed discussion on traffic calming, the Mayor's Grove park project, and two housing development proposals.
Discussion Items
1. Sidewalk and ADA Ramp Repairs – Resolution awarding a contract to CND Hughes Incorporated for $735,825.05 (not to exceed $825,000) to address reported trip hazards and deficiencies. Approved unanimously.
2. Keno Shea and Plaster Creek Trails Improvements – Resolution awarding a contract to Cat Skill Remedio Contracting Services Inc. for $306,208.95 (not to exceed $590,000) to stabilize erosion along Plaster Creek, a project seven years in planning. Work expected to take about three months. Approved unanimously.
3. Traffic Calming at Various Locations – Resolution awarding a contract to Nago Construction Inc. for $258,200.50 (not to exceed $450,000) for traffic calming measures including bulb-outs and neighborhood traffic circles. City Traffic Engineer John Bartlett explained the prioritization process, which is transitioning to a proactive program using neighborhood features (proximity to schools, parks, etc.) and aiming to cover the top two streets per ward annually. Measures focus on safety and addressing speeding complaints. Approved unanimously.
4. Riverside Park – Mayor's Grove – Resolution awarding a contract to Caterberg Verhaj Inc. for $249,900 (not to exceed $310,000) to create an outdoor classroom and nature grove in honor of Mayor Bliss. A private citizen group raised $150,000, meeting the 50% fundraising requirement for naming, with additional funds for maintenance. Approved unanimously.
5. Meyer Gas Station Water Main – Resolution approving a construction agreement for moving a 16-inch water main at 3557 Patterson Avenue SE. Approved unanimously.
6. Pleasant Hills Development (Habitat for Humanity) – Resolution approving a construction agreement, cost-sharing agreement, and accepting easements for 20 housing units. The city will share costs for combined sewer separation and stormwater improvements. Approved unanimously after a procedural re-vote to confirm.
7. & 8. Trail Easements for Eastern Railroad to Grand River Trails East – Two resolutions: consent of easement holder and granting a utility easement (for $1) to support trail development. Approved unanimously.
9. Annual Street Decertification – Resolution approving decertifications from the city's local street system per Act 51, reflecting a net decrease of 0.63 miles. No impact on funding. Approved unanimously.
10. Rezoning at 3113 Plaza Drive NE – Resolution setting March 31, 2026, as a date to consider rezoning from NOS to MONMDR to allow 24 residential units (with additional height up to 3.5 stories). Approved unanimously.
11. & 12. Obsolete Property Rehabilitation for Gideon Project LLC – Two resolutions scheduling public hearings on March 31, 2026, for a certificate and district for redevelopment at 801 Oakdale Street SE. The project includes two commercial spaces, a community space, and two apartments (one at 50% AMI, one at 80% AMI). Total construction cost $2.1 million, with $423,000 for inclusion plan goals. 11-year property tax exemption. Approved unanimously.
13. Programmatic Agreements with SHPO – Resolution scheduling a public hearing on April 14, 2026, for compliance with the National Historic Preservation Act regarding federal HUD funds. Public comment period March 31 to April 29. Approved unanimously.
14. FY2027 Consolidated Housing and Community Development Action Plan – Resolution scheduling a public hearing on April 14, 2026, for the draft plan. Funding recommendations will be presented on March 31, with final approval on May 12. The plan supports the city's Neighborhood Investment Plan with eight outcomes. Subcommittee members: Commissioners Belchek, Asasi, and Kilgore. Approved unanimously.
Key Outcomes
All 14 resolutions were approved unanimously. The committee noted upcoming meetings: March 31, 2026, for rezoning, obsolete property hearings, and funding recommendations; April 14, 2026, for public hearings on historic preservation and the action plan; and May 12, 2026, for final action plan approval.
Meeting Transcript
Good morning everyone. The time is now 9.16. We are going to get our community development committee started this morning. Great to see you all. Uh item one today is a resolution approving a resolution awarding a contract with CND Hughes Incorporated for sidewalk and ADA rack repair at various locations. In 2026, an amount of 735,825 and five cents with a total not to exceed amount of eight hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars is their motion. Thank you. So move support. Moved and supporting Ms. Arvey. Um, yes, this is our uh reported deficiency contract. So we have our systematic contract to f to fix sidewalks. This is when someone calls and there's a concern or a trip hazard, and we go out intentionally to inspect and remediate those deficiencies. Wonderful. Any questions, colleagues? Saying none, all in favor. Aye. Motion carries. Item number two this morning is a resolution awarding a contract with Cat Skill Remedio Contracting Services Inc. for improvements to Keno Shea and Plaster Creek Trails and the amount of 306,208 and 95 cents with a total not to exceed amount of 590,000. So support. We've just supported Ms. Irvin, did you want to share more information on this one? Sure. This project they'll be self-performing all of the work. Uh this is tied to some erosion that was noted along Plaster Creek about seven years ago. Um it has taken time for design and also permitting through Eagle and uh U.S. fish and wildlife. So we're excited to get this done and the bank stabilized. Absolutely. Do you know how long that will take? Um it is about a quarter of a million dollar project, so we're probably talking three months, it's probably a season. Thank you. There is no more questions. All in favor? Aye. Any opposed? Motion carries. Item number three this morning is a resolution awarding a contract with Nago Construction Inc. for traffic calming at various locations. 2025-1. Um I need some what is that uh signify 2025-1? Disregards at the type of referencing a certain contract. Okay. Okay, various locations and amount of 258,200 and 50 cents with a total not to exceed amount of 450,000. Is there motion? Moved and supported. Any comments on this, Ms. Irving? Sure.
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