Community Development Committee Meeting – July 21, 2026

The Grand Rapids Community Development Committee met on July 21, 2026, to consider a series of resolutions. The committee approved 21 items including fireworks discharge permits for upcoming concerts, multiple street and utility infrastructure projects, and nuisance charge transfers. A joint use agreement with Grand Rapids Public Schools was postponed to a future meeting after commissioners requested time to review the contract language.

Consent Calendar

• Fireworks Permits (Items 1-7): Approved permits for special effects at multiple events:

  • Broadway Grand Rapids for "The Great Gatsby" at DeVos Performance Hall (July 21-26, 2026)
  • JDLFX LLC for Breakaway Music Festival at Belknap Park (August 14-15, 2026)
  • Image Engineering for Five Finger Death Punch at Acrisure Amphitheater (August 15, 2026)
  • ER Productions for Hilary Duff at Acrisure Amphitheater (August 16, 2026)
  • FFP Effects Inc. for Mötley Crüe at Acrisure Amphitheater (August 27, 2026)
  • Pyro Tech Special Effects Inc. for Pitbull at Acrisure Amphitheater (September 10, 2026)
  • Strictly FX for Mumford & Sons at Acrisure Amphitheater (September 22, 2026) All permits were described as on-stage effects (flames, sparklers) with no aerial displays. The committee voted unanimously in favor.

• Sullivan Field Phase 2 (Item 9): Approved an increase in scope and $1,450,000 for improvements, bringing the total not to exceed $4,940,362. Unanimous.

• Orchard Vista and Alpine Estates Sanitary Lift Station (Item 10): Awarded contract to LD Dosca Associates for $1,327,000 (total not to exceed $1,783,185) for replacement/rehabilitation of pump stations built in the 1970s-80s. Unanimous.

• Rotomilling/Resurfacing Streets (Item 11): Approved $1,400,000 increase for rotomilling at various locations, total not to exceed $6,388,465. Unanimous.

• Lead Service Line Replacements (Items 12-13): Approved increases to contracts with Brick Plumbing LLC ($538,460, total $1,348,000) and Groundhog Excavating ($540,000, total $1,214,000) for private lead service line replacements. Each will add about 180 additional locations. Unanimous.

• Easements and Construction Agreements (Items 14-15, 20): Approved for Knapp Hills townhome development (Item 14), Cambridge Grove Phase 4 (Item 15), and an easement at 3611 Reeds Lake Blvd (Item 20). Unanimous.

• Cost Sharing Agreement (Item 16): Approved $139,054 cost sharing with Consumers Energy for primary circuit extension at Wealthy Street and Front Avenue. Unanimous.

• 28th Street (M-11) Reconstruction (Item 17): Approved agreement with MDOT for $737,000 local share (total project ~$29 million) for resurfacing, water main, stormwater improvements, and pedestrian safety features (islands, beacons). Work begins spring 2027. Unanimous.

• Non-Motorized Path along East Belt Line (Item 18): Approved $680,632 local share for a 14-foot wide path to connect Grand Rapids Township paths, including a signalized pedestrian crossing near Calvary Church. Unanimous.

• Fire Department Training Facility (Item 19): Awarded contract to Allied Electric/Shareco Communications for $544,306 (total not to exceed $571,306) for low-voltage cabling. Unanimous.

• Nuisance Charges (Item 21): Authorized the assessor to spread nuisance charges totaling $398,806.03 across 1,223 invoices to property tax bills. Staff noted this is the lowest number of invoices since COVID. Unanimous.

Discussion Items

• Jefferson Avenue Reconstruction (Item 8): Approved agreement with MDOT for reconstruction from MLK Jr. Street to Logan Street, including water main replacement, bike lanes, storm sewer improvements, and sidewalks. Local share: $2,453,895. Commissioner Belshack asked about alignment with Public Works priorities and integration with Vital Streets, bike plan, and Green Grand Rapids plans. Staff confirmed coordination with Public Works and noted this is one of the last segments of Jefferson to be completed. Unanimous.

• Joint Use Agreement with Grand Rapids Public Schools (Item 22): A resolution to approve a three-year joint use agreement for facilities, maintenance, and programming between the city and GRPS, with two three-year renewal options. Commissioner Belshack expressed discomfort voting without seeing the full contract language, noting the packet did not include the updated contract. The city attorney’s office had not yet finalized the agreement. After discussion, the committee voted to postpone action to a future meeting (motion by Commissioner Purdue, seconded). The item will go to the full commission at the 2:00 p.m. meeting, where they may decide to postpone or vote.

Key Outcomes

• Approvals: 21 resolutions passed unanimously, all recommended to the full City Commission.
• Postponed: The GRPS joint use agreement was not recommended for approval; it will be considered by the full commission later that day, with the possibility of postponement to a future meeting.
• Next Steps: Staff will provide the contract language to commissioners before the 2:00 p.m. meeting.

Note: No public comments were made during the meeting.