The Grand Rapids Downtown Development Authority (DDA) Board of Directors today took action on the following measures:

Approved New Event Grant Program Application
The Board approved a revised application for the Special Event Support Program that aspires to ensure future events receiving DDA assistance are consistent with the community’s preferences and aspirations for downtown programming.

The revised application and process provides event producers more clarity and certainty about the grant program’s goals, criteria, and available grant assistance. The revised process also provides grant decision-makers a more thoughtful and strategic system to evaluate individual grant applications and prioritize the DDA’s modest amount of grant funding to support key upstart and major events. The program adjustments, among other goals, aim to more intentionally support events that attract diverse audiences, expand the downtown events calendar into the winter months, and help activate the Grand River.

The revised approach is the result of a 16-month community conversation – led by a Special Events Advisory Council organized by Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. – which included a widespread survey of community opinion and a series of focus groups convened to discuss diversity and inclusion, the unique needs of merchants, residents, and event producers, and other critical issues.

Authorized Support for Redevelopment of 25 Ottawa Avenue SW
The Board agreed to provide up to $210,000 and share in the cost of improving the public realm around 25 Ottawa SW, a 90,000 square foot building immediately west of the Van Andel Arena currently undergoing an approximately $5 million interior renovation. The DDA funds, which will be paid over a 10 year period, will help to install sidewalk snow melt, street trees, public benches, and other amenities.

Authorized Support for Renovation of 89 Ionia Avenue NW
The Board approved three different financial incentives to support the renovation and repurposing of the Cornerstone Building at 89 Ionia Ave NW, a project led by Rockford Construction. The estimated renovation cost is approximately $3.5 million. To support the project, the DDA Board approved up to a $35,000 grant for sidewalk and streetscape improvements; $35,000 grant to cap an existing areaway; and $50,000 grant to help restore the building’s façade, upgrade the fire suppression system, and install a new elevator to maintain building accessibility.

Renovation of the Cornerstone Building is coupled with the approximately $21 million redevelopment of the adjacent Morton House. Taken together, the two projects will help activate critical but long-vacant ground floor spaces, refurbish commercial spaces to help attract new tenants, and add more than 100 market-rate apartments to downtown.

Authorized Matching Funds for Street Reconstruction
The Board authorized $100,000 to support reconstruction of Finney Avenue and Williams and Bartlett Streets, which respectively border the west, north, and south sides of the currently expanding Founders Brewing Company.

The project includes replacement of storm and sanitary sewers and water mains, reconstruction of streets sidewalks, and accessible sidewalk ramps. New street trees, enhanced landscaping and ornamental LED street lighting will improve the experience for people walking in the area. The project also includes porous pavement in the parking lanes and bioswales to help manage stormwater runoff more sustainably and ultimately improve and protect the water quality of the Grand River.

The total project cost is estimated at approximately $3.4 million financed by a combination of funding streams from the Michigan Department of Transportation, the DDA, and the City’s Water, Sewer, Vital Streets, and Capital Improvement funds.

Recommended Liquor Licenses for Slows BBQ and The Wheelhouse
The Board recommended approval of liquor licenses for two forthcoming restaurants in the central business district, Slows BBQ in the Downtown Market and The Wheelhouse in Arena Place, which is now under construction. If approved by the City Commission and the Michigan Liquor Control Commission, the licenses will allow the vendors to serve beer, wine and liquor in support of general restaurant operations.