Browse our meeting agendas and stay up to date on the conversation
Help shape the future of Downtown Grand Rapids and the Grand River corridor.
We need your help
Please join your neighbors at the meetings in your area. Your voice is important!
VIEW THE TIMELINE TOFind A Meeting Near YouWhen you think of Downtown Grand Rapids and the Grand River, do you find yourself thinking about what's there now, or do you imagine the potential of what could be?
We're in the midst of making a dramatic transition from being a city of sprawl to re-focusing on two of the city's strongest assets: the Grand River and Downtown. Grand Rapids Forward is a comprehensive planning process that invites the public to join Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. [DGRI], the City of Grand Rapids, and their partners in envisioning the many ways in which we can leverage this momentum to make progress towards a holistic vision for Downtown and the Grand River.
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In the News
From MLive, August 24, 2014
Striking gold with Silver Line? Grand Rapids bets $40 million on state's first bus rapid transit system
From the EPA Newsroom, July 31, 2014
EPA Awards Grants to Promote Environmental Stewardship in Michigan
From The Rapidian, August 5, 2014
The 11th Annual Mayors' Grand River Cleanup Is Set For September 20th
From August 26, 2014
20-story residential tower planned at The B.O.B. in downtown Grand Rapids
From MLive, July 17, 2014
See what issues downtown planners are hearing about as they develop a new master plan
From The Rapidian, July 16, 2014
Why GR Forward: Preparing for smart, explosive growth takes citizen involvement
From MLive, July 15, 2014
Grand Rapids home sales, new listings perked up in June
From The Rapidian, July 15, 2014
Maker space fosters diversity, continues to encourage cross pollination
From Grand Rapids Business Journal, June 13, 2014
Problem solving for urban living demand best left to local expertise
From the Rapidian, June 10, 2014
The changing constitution of livability How will Grand Rapids develop as residents' priorities change?
From MLive, July 14, 2014
Downtown office market was a hotbed as big buildings exchanged hands in first half of 2014
From The Rapidian, July 1, 2014
Envisioning the future of Grand Rapids: how best to utilize downtown, riverfront
From MLive, July 1, 2014
Founders Brewing expansion will double size of Grand Rapids company, CEO says
From Grand Rapids Business Journal, June 13, 2014
Is downtown ready for a building boom? Experts say expanding population will demand more housing options in 2014 and soon.
From MLive, May 29, 2014
Grand Rapids' downtown housing market has reached 'a point of critical mass,' report concludes
From MLive, May 23, 2014
Wrecking downtown: 100 photos of Grand Rapids urban renewal demolitions
The Study Area
Downtown
We have all watched change happen all over Downtown and some of us have been a part of this change. Just think how different things were ten years ago. Downtown is starting to hit its stride as a destination, as an economic center, and, increasingly, as home to many residents now living downtown.
What will the next decade and beyond bring for Downtown? The Downtown Plan component of Grand Rapids Forward will create a vision for the future of Downtown that will seek to maximize opportunities for improvements. Getting to that vision and framework for change will require a comprehensive analysis of economic development, the Grand River, housing, transportation and parking, land use, open space, infrastructure, among other important issues.
You are a critical part of this. Forming a thorough understanding of these issues requires a careful understanding of how they affect all of us: the residents, business and property owners, employees, leaders, advocates, and visitors to Downtown. Learn about ways to participate here.
What will the next decade and beyond bring for Downtown? The Downtown Plan component of Grand Rapids Forward will create a vision for the future of Downtown that will seek to maximize opportunities for improvements. Getting to that vision and framework for change will require a comprehensive analysis of economic development, the Grand River, housing, transportation and parking, land use, open space, infrastructure, among other important issues.
You are a critical part of this. Forming a thorough understanding of these issues requires a careful understanding of how they affect all of us: the residents, business and property owners, employees, leaders, advocates, and visitors to Downtown. Learn about ways to participate here.
River
The River Corridor Plan will reimagine lands along the riverfront and rethink how we interact with the Grand River itself. We will explore how to enhance the city’s vitality, improve quality of life and leverage economic activity. The planning process will study the river corridor from Lamoreaux to Millennium Parks. Through a robust community engagement process, the public will provide critical input to guide the River Corridor Plan’s development. Anticipated topics include an analysis of complimentary and catalytic land uses, parks and trails, environmental quality and neighborhood connections. Grand Rapids’ namesake rapids were removed from the landscape more than a century ago. The river shaped our past, now how will we design the future?
Central Campus and Museum School
Imagine the potential of a cutting edge new secondary public school choice where the sights, sounds, exhibits and artifacts of our public museum are literally a part of everyday teaching and learning. In fall 2015, the new Grand Rapids Public Museum School will open its doors to students in grades 6-12 thanks to a remarkable partnership between the Grand Rapids Public Museum, Grand Rapids Public Schools, Kendall College of Art and Design/Ferris State University, Grand Valley State University, the City of Grand Rapids, Downtown Grand Rapids Inc., and the Downtown Development Authority. As a part of the GR Forward planning process, residents from throughout the region will be a part of envisioning what this new school should look like in the Van Andel Museum Center and 54 Jefferson.
Did you know that the old Central High campus located in the historic Heritage Hill neighborhood is home to the oldest still functioning high school facility in the entire state and the nation’s first PK-12 public Montessori school? Thanks to the vision of Superintendent Teresa Weatherall Neal and the overwhelming support of this community, the Innovation Central High campus is at the epicenter of the transformation and future of our city's public schools. Grand Rapids Public Schools invites students, parents, staff and neighbors to take part in the GR Forward process to participate in an exciting design/visioning and redevelopment plan that among other things will explore the development of an urban farm or urban agriculture experience for all four Centers of Innovation and Grand Rapids Montessori. We want to know what you think about the historic preservation and renovation of the Central and Fountain buildings, demolition of the old City/EdPark building, potential traffic improvements, landscaping and beautification ideas, improving school and neighborhood/community use of green space, and more!
Get Involved
Please join your neighbors at the meetings in your area. Your voice is important!
VIEW THE TIMELINE TO Find A Meeting Near You
Why get involved? To accommodate new investment, fully capitalize on the local arts and culture, promote the local economy and reduce the city's environmental footprint all while operating within fiscal constraints requires proactive thinking tempered by hyperlocal expertise. In short, Grand Rapids needs progressive action and a progressive vision driven by those most familiar with the issues and opportunities. That said, Grand Rapids Forward will be developed through a robust community engagement process that will provide the foundation for the vision and recommendations guiding change in Downtown Grand Rapids and along the Grand River.
View slides from the Open House
Project meetings
Show Older Events
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Downtown Steering Committee
April 3, 2014
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River Restoration Steering Committee
April 17, 2014
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Downtown Steering Committee
May 8, 2014
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River Corridor Plan Steering Committee
June 5, 2014
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River Corridor Plan Steering Committee - River Tour
June 11, 2014
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Grand River Restoration Steering Committee
June 23, 2014
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Downtown Steering Committee
July 17, 2014
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River Corridor Plan Steering Committee
July 17, 2014
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River Corridor Plan Steering Committee
August 7, 2014
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Grand River Restoration Steering Committee
August 15, 2014
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Downtown Steering Committee
September 18, 2014
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Grand River Restoration Steering Committee
September 18th, 2014
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Black Hills Mini-Series Meeting #1
November 13, 2014
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West Grand Mini-Series Meeting #1
November 17, 2014
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Northwest Regional Public Meeting
November 18, 2014
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Southeast Regional Public Meeting
November 19, 2014
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Roosevelt Park Mini-Series Meeting #1
December 2, 2014
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Creston Mini-Series Meeting #1
December 2, 2014
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Northeast Regional Public Meeting
December 4, 2014
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Heritage Hill Mini-Series Meeting #1
December 9, 2014
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SWAN / JBAN Mini-Series Meeting #1
December 10, 2014
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GR Forward Thinking Speaker Series and Public Forum
January 15, 2015
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Roosevelt Park Mini-Series Meeting #2
January 27, 2015
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Belknap Mini-Series Meeting #1
January 13, 2015
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Black Hills Mini-Series Meeting #2
January 15, 2015
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Creston Mini-Series Meeting #2
January 21, 2015
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West Grand Mini-Series Meeting #2
January 26, 2015
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SWAN / JBAN Mini-Series Meeting #2
January 28, 2015
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Heritage Hill Mini-Series Meeting #2
February 10, 2015
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SWAN / JBAN Mini-Series Meeting #3
February 18, 2015
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Roosevelt Park Mini-Series Meeting #3
February 19, 2015
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Creston Mini-Series Meeting #3
February 23, 2015
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West Grand Mini-Series Meeting #3
February 23, 2015
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Black Hills Mini-Series Meeting #3
February 26, 2015
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Heritage Hill Mini-Series Meeting #3
March 10, 2015