Have you checked out the alley by the Van Andel Arena yet? Now home to the famous alley-gators, the alley recently got a makeover - with planters, flowers and pretty lights! Stop by at night. It's even more beautiful in the dark.
Speaking of the Van Andel Arena, Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. and the Grand Rapids-Kent County Convention/Arena Authority are finalizing designs for substantial improvements to the public plaza in front of the Arena. Stay tuned for more info in August. Construction likely starts spring of 2020.
Don't forget to share this newsletter with your neighbors and/or tell them they can subscribe hereso they can stay up-to-date on Downtown news.
If you have any questions, concerns, or suggestions for me, simply reply to this e-mail and I will get right back to you.
Warmly,
Annamarie Buller
Manager of Neighbor Experience
Downtown Grand Rapids Inc.
Ride Driverless Shuttles in Downtown GR!
The future of transportation is rolling out in Downtown Grand Rapids.
Four self-driving electric shuttles with five passenger seats each will soon mix in with the fleet of vehicles serving the DASH West bus route.
The one-year pilot program aims to assess the barriers and benefits of autonomous shuttle services in urban neighborhoods like Downtown Grand Rapids.
Each robot shuttle will carry a real-person attendant for added safety. But look both ways before crossing the street!
Rainbow Road on Sheldon Ave
Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. (DGRI) recently commissioned Detroit-based artist Joey Salamon to paint Grand Rapids’ first permanent street mural covering 7,000 square feet of Sheldon Avenue.
Titled “Rainbow Road,” the mural locally commemorates Pride Month (June) and the 50th Anniversary of the Stonewall Riots on June 28, 1969, widely considered a pivotal moment in the modern fight for LGBTQ+ rights in America.
For DGRI, the large-scale street mural is a new experiment in adding more color, vibrancy and points of interest Downtown. Tell us what you think!
Marriott Residence Now Rising
Construction is moving along on the flat iron-style building at 10 Ionia! The 13-story Marriott Residence Inn opens in 2020.
A Sneak Peak Inside Studio Park
The Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. team recently took a tour of the Studio Park construction site. Scheduled to open in September 2019, the place is really coming together! Check out the apartments.
The Listening Room - soon to be Downtown’s newest music venue - has begun booking shows. Follow their Facebook page for more information.
We are organizing an exclusive preview event just for Downtown neighbors. But we will likely have a limited guest count. Drop me a note if you want me to add you to the invite list.
Thanks Downtown Ambassadors
DID YOU KNOW the Downtown Ambassadors last year planted and maintained 21,000 plants? They also pulled 37,803 weeds and picked up 411,810 cigarette butts. The work is made possible with funding through the Downtown Improvement District and Downtown Development Authority. Check out some of their recent beautification work:
The plaza near McKay Tower on Monroe Center got a fresh new look with new trees, bushes, and mulch around Senator Vandenberg’s statue. Ambassadors and Micandy Gardens completed this work in one day!
The Fulton Street medians now contain plants that are resistant to hot and cold temperatures as well as salt.
The Ambassadors greened up Calder Plaza to continue incrementally making the space more comfortable for people. Now with hammocks, couch seating, outdoor games and food trucks several days a week, this space is steadily becoming a more interesting place to hang out!
More Fresh Food Available Downtown
Photo Courtesy of the Rapidian
Spread the word! Or should I say spread the veggie dip?
The YMCA Veggie Van will sell fresh produce at affordable prices every Wednesday from 6:00 to 7:00 PM at Pekich Park. See the attached flyer for more information.
Heartside Gleaning will give out fresh food at the Fulton Street Farmers market for FREE every Saturday. Learn more here.
Lastly, the Caesar E. Chavez Farmers Market will take place on Tuesdays from 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM at 900 Grandville Ave. starting July 9.
Heartside, like many urban neighborhoods, is in a state of change. Dwelling Place of Grand Rapids is collecting resident feedback to help inform neighborhood improvement efforts. Those that participate in the Resident Satisfaction Survey will receive a $5 gift card. Check out the boundaries on this map to see if you are eligible to participate!
Events Happening Downtown
GRANDWICH 2019 voting began on July 1. Plenty of Downtown and near neighborhood business are participating this year - including Stella's Lounge, Garage Bar & Grill, Rockwell/Republic, and more.
I still dream about City Built Brewing Company’s grandwich winner from last year. It's now on their menu! Get out and try these innovating recipes and support local restaurants.
Staying in Grand Rapids for the 4th of July weekend? Check out GRAND RAPIDS FIREWORKS at Ah-Nab-Awen Park and the Gillett Bridge on Saturday, July 6. Click here to check out the full entertainment lineup.
Have you heard about CRESTON AFTER DARK? It's a street party taking place on Saturday, July 13. Community members contributed financially and helped with beautification and clean-up to make this happen. Some neighborhood artists are even painting six new murals for the occasion! Proceeds from the event will help maintain a new public trash program on Plainfield Ave.
Want to be a part of the worlds largest water balloon fight? At the 4th ANNUAL GAINS SUMMER FESTIVAL on Saturday, July 13, attendees will attempt to break the current world record!
To help keep neighbors informed about what’s happening in the neighborhood, Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. strives to capture as many Downtown events as a possible in our Facebook events scroll! You'll find there's A LOT going on across Downtown neighborhoods this month.
Save the Date
Photo courtesy of Mike Clark | MLive.com
This year's Summer Social on the Blue Bridge happens on August 1 from 4:00 to 8:00 PM. If you're interested in volunteering, click here.
National Night Out 2019 happens August 6th. The best way to build community is to get to know your neighbors and your surroundings. National Night Out works to address the culture that isolates us from each other and gives us the opportunity to rediscover and connect with our own communities.
To find your neighborhood association, click on this link and then select 'Grand Rapids Neighborhoods' to view the interactive map. You will then be able to run your cursor over areas of the city to see the neighborhoods.
Here’s this year’s Night Out activities for neighborhoods in and around Downtown:
The new Ann Arbor-based coffee shop opens in the Monroe North neighborhood the week of July 20th. They will have a whole bunch of amazing specials for Downtown neighbors! Check out this flyer to view their daily specials for the month of July.
Scene Downtown
Artist Nick Nortier restoring the mural, titled "Tunnel Vision," under the Gillett Bridge. 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.
