An Update from Josh Lunger from the Chamber of Commerce
What’s Happening
The Grand Rapids Planning Commission approved plans for pedestrian skybridge crossing Lake Michigan Drive, connecting a Grand Valley State University parking lot with the David D. Hunting YMCA building.
The skybridge will alleviate increased pedestrian pressure created by the future Amway Stadium.
Mayor David LaGrand gave his first State of the City address last week.
The Mayor touched on the 100 in 100 initiative, public safety, the establishment of the Grand Rapids Landbank, and increasing the housing supply. You can watch the full address here.
The City of Grand Rapids has issued a response to the recent lawsuit against the city by six cannabis companies.
The companies are suing the city over a voluntary social equity program that would qualify participants for priority consideration for licensing. The City denied all allegations from the companies.
The Walker City Commission denied another residential development mostly citing the need for a new signal at the nearby intersection for safety before considering adding homes.
The Grand Rapids City Commission authorized a new GRPD recruit class of up to 10 to start at GVSU at the end of April.
The Commission heard recommendations Tuesday from the Department of Public Works for the city to become the exclusive hauler for residential trash.
We are engaging with the haulers on this issue to understand the potential impact further.
They also received a communication from the Foundation of Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) that the City needs to change ‘unconstitutional’ restrictions on free speech in their meetings because they restrict “making impertinent, slanderous and profane comments,” . They are willing to work with the City to help them avoid costly litigation though!
The City Commission did have to remove some commenters last meeting due to disruption over demands to declare Grand Rapids a sanctuary city, but it was a small group.
The Kentwood City Commission will have an initial overview of the budget and a public hearing on aproposed moratorium on billboards.
The Commission will have an April 17 work session on budget for the coming fiscal year.
The Kent County Commission went through the county’s 2026 Capital Improvement Plan during a work session Thursday. Key items include:
A feasibility study for renovating the Kent County Correctional Facility in 2027.
Full replacement of the Sherrif’s drone fleet - which are Chinese-made, and an Executive Order had banned government use of Chinese-made unmanned aircraft systems.
Discussion on how to include funding for security barriers to be used for special events into the budget.
The GRPS Board of Education had a presentation on School Finance 101.
School finance can be confusing, especially since COVID because of state and federal grants. The COVID dollars (ESSER I, II, III) are at an end. Districts have evaluating their use and transition services to be continued to other funding sources.
The GRPS budget includes $200M in salary/benefits. There is a bill that was passed by the Legislature in Lame Duck 2024 but did not get sent to the Governor that could have a big impact in the future for schools and local units of government. It would mandate that a minimum 80% of health insurance is covered by the employer (currently the maximum the employer could contribute is 80%). The Senate has sued the House Speaker to release these bills, the House Speaker is investigating legal options.