Grand Rapids Prepares for Major Construction in 2025

News Summary

Grand Rapids is set to embark on a wide range of construction projects in 2025, including new streets, sidewalks, and multi-family housing developments. With a commitment to improving local infrastructure, the city aims to enhance community safety and accessibility. Major road improvements and housing projects are on the horizon, with a community event planned for residents to provide feedback and learn more. Overall, Grand Rapids is on track for a busy and transformative construction season.

Grand Rapids Readies for Expansive Construction Projects in 2025

Exciting times are ahead for Grand Rapids as the city gears up for a bustling construction season in 2025! From fresh streets to brand-new sidewalks and multi-family housing developments, residents can look forward to significant improvements throughout the community. The city’s commitment to enhancing local infrastructure is evident, as it already completes an average of 59 miles of street improvements each year.

A Step Towards Better Roads

City Engineer Tim Burkman understands that big construction projects can bring some disruption to neighborhoods, but he is optimistic! There are increased efforts to keep communication flowing between city officials and community members, making it easier for everyone to stay updated about what’s happening. Thanks to the Vital Streets millage, launched back in 2014, Grand Rapids has been able to maintain and rebuild approximately 647 miles of streets—quite a feat!

Since the start of the millage, the city has not only added 10.5 miles of new sidewalks but has also repaired existing ones. Last year alone, about 73 miles of sidewalks were repaired, which is great news for pedestrians. On top of that, the city has installed 484 new ADA-compliant ramps and improved over 3 miles of bike lanes. The results speak for themselves, with streets rated as “Good” or “Fair” jumping from 37% to 61% over the last 11 years.

Highlighted Projects for 2025

• S. Division Avenue (North of Fulton to Crescent)
• Leonard Street (Powers to Alpine)
• Ann Street (Monroe to Plainfield)
• Boston Street (Fuller to Plymouth)
• Plainfield Avenue (Fuller to I-96)

In addition to these prominent streets, numerous other neighborhoods across Grand Rapids can expect either reconstruction or resurfacing work on their streets. There are plans for preventative maintenance for several bridges this year too, with a keen focus on sidewalk repair in the Fulton Heights and Midtown neighborhoods during the summer months.

Gathering Community Input

For those eager to learn more, there’s a Construction Season Kickoff event scheduled for March 25 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Union High School. This is the perfect opportunity for residents to ask questions, give feedback, and get a clearer picture of what’s in store for our city. Sidewalk repairs in front of homes typically take about a week. The process includes removal, forming new sidewalks, pouring concrete, and restoring lawns. It’s a busy but essential time for community development!

For all your construction-related inquiries, residents can easily call 311 for guidance.

Additional Developments in the Region

$30 million into rebuilding and widening Fruit Ridge Avenue. Meanwhile, significant improvements are on the horizon for a bridge northwest of Grand Rapids, which is set to expand from two lanes to five with realigned ramps starting in the spring of 2025. This project will also include a new nonmotorized path, making it more accessible for pedestrians and cyclists alike, funded by a generous $25 million grant from state lawmakers.

A Boost to Housing Initiatives

On the west side of Grand Rapids, two new apartment buildings—Abode and Annex—are set to address the ongoing housing need in the area by adding a total of 129 apartments. Abode will offer 106 units along with ground-floor retail, taking over the site of the former Adobe In & Out restaurant. This project has garnered significant financial support, receiving $3 million in reimbursements and $1.5 million in tax cuts from the city’s Brownfield Redevelopment Authority and Neighborhood Enterprise Zone program.

Annex will consist of two three-story buildings with 23 apartments and is benefiting from a $959,000 reimbursement along with $616,545 in tax cuts for its total cost of $6.1 million. Construction for Abode is expected to kick off in late spring or early summer, lasting about 12-14 months, while Annex will take around 8 months.

Grand Rapids is certainly on the move! As construction projects roll out, the city’s vision for safer, more accessible, and vibrant neighborhoods becomes clearer every day.

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Additional Resources

• WZZM13: Road Work Ahead
• Wikipedia: Grand Rapids, Michigan
• MLive: Major Bridge Project Over I-96
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Grand Rapids
• WOOD TV: 12 West Michigan Developments
• Google Search: Grand Rapids construction 2025