Also, prioritize taking the Your Voice Matters Now survey! It only takes a few minutes to share your thoughts as a Downtown neighbor. More info on this can be found below.
Don't forget to share this newsletter and tell your neighbors they can sign up here. If you have any questions or feedback, just reply to this email.
Annamarie Buller
Manager of Neighbor Experience
Downtown Grand Rapids Inc.
Crosswalk Construction Almost Complete
The construction crew will wrap up the new crosswalks on Bridge & Michigan Streets very soon! Most recently, new medians and planters were installed on the north side of Michigan Street. We anticipate trees and flowers for the planters later this fall and/or spring 2020.
Holiday Happy Hour Time
Join your Downtown neighbors for an early holiday get-together on Thursday, November 14 at the new Max's South Seas Hideaway (58 Ionia Ave. SW)! Doors open at 4:00 PM. We'll do an official welcome and a quick round of updates around 5:30 PM.
This holiday happy hour is presented by the Downtown Neighbor Network in partnership with Downtown Grand Rapids Inc.
Your Voice Matters Now!
Please take this survey and share your feedback on what matters most to you as a Downtown neighbor! Your input helps to guide the work of the Downtown Neighbor Network and Downtown Grand Rapids Inc.
As a thank you for your time, you will receive a $5.00 voucher for the YMCA Veggie Van and be entered to win 1 of 6 Downtown staycations - including an overnight hotel stay and gift cards to local restaurants.
Thanks in advance for completing the survey!
Mobility Moves Downtown
Downtown will start testing its first "bus bulb" later this month at one of the busiest stops in the Rapid's regional transit network.
What the heck is a "bus bulb," you ask? It's a temporary platform that extends the curb out to in the street to make pulling up to the curb easier for bus drivers, getting on the bus easier for riders, and fewer traffic backups for car drivers. The project is a partnership between the City of GR, The Rapid and Downtown Grand Rapids Inc.
In other local transit news, construction of the new Laker Line stations continues along Fulton Street West. Pew Station, pictured above, is really coming together! The service begins in August 2020.
It's all part of the ongoing effort to deploy 21st-century mobility services Downtown. Rapid transit CEO Andrew Johnson shared more about the future of mobility in GR in his recent State of The Rapid report. Check it out.
Sign up for Civicize.Me
We have an exciting FREE educational opportunity for you! Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. and the Downtown Neighbor Network are sponsoring a cohort of 20 residents to complete the "Civicize.Me" workshop on Saturday, November 9 from 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM at Downtown Grand Rapids Inc.'s office (29 Pearl St. NW, Suite 1).
This one-time workshop introduces participants to the civic institutions in their own backyard and highlights their power to impact change in their communities. The training will work to detangle Michigan’s complicated government structure — with a place-based spotlight on your local county, municipal and school district systems.
Participants will leave with a foundational understanding of their local governments, as well as a plan identifying their own civic engagement goals and next steps toward achieving those goals. The applicant would need to specify a project they would like to focus on after completing the workshop.
New Residential Parking Permits for Downtown Neighbors
Your Grand Rapids City Commission recently approved a new monthly Downtown Residential Parking permit program. Permit holders will have 24/7 year-round access to parking in the basement of the Pearl Ionia parking ramp at 28 Pearl St. NW.
Due to limited space, the City will accept requests for Downtown Residential Parking Permits.
A few things to keep in mind:
Residential permits are offered only at the Pearl Ionia Parking Ramp.
Proof of residency within the Downtown area is required. Check the Downtown resident map to see if your address qualifies.
The 27th annual Grand Rapids Turkey Trot route runs through Downtown November 28. Sign up and use your feet before you eat this Thanksgiving!
The Holiday Tree Lighting is scheduled for December 6 from 5:30 - 7:30 PM at Rosa Parks Circle and Monroe Center. Contact the City of Grand Rapids Office of Special Events for more information.
The Grand Rapids Ball Drop returns Downtown for the New Year! Monroe Avenue will be closed from Michigan and Lyon Street for part of December 31 and January 1.
One Twenty Three Tavern opened in October at the new Studio Park. Happy hour is from 3:00 - 6:00 PM, Monday - Friday. Enjoy $1 off drafts, $2 off glasses of wine and $3 off specialty cocktails.
New tiki bar and restaurant Max's South Seas Hideaway opened on October 19. Make a reservation to check this place out today!
Mosby's Popcorn had its soft opening in October. Check out their amazing gourmet popcorn at 15 Ionia Ave.!
Beacon Corner Bar, a new seafood boil concept by San Chez, has its official ribbon cutting at 38 West Fulton on December 2 at 4:00 PM.
The substantial renovation of the old Michigan Consolidated Gas building is in full swing at 200 Monroe. The building, set to reopen in 2021, will house the new headquarters for RDV Corp.
Captured by photographer and Downtown resident Erika Townsley.
Downtown Neighbor News is presented by the Downtown Neighbor Network, a project organized by Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. in collaboration with Downtown residents and neighborhood organizations.
