The Downtown Development Authority (DDA) is a funding tool that Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. (DGRI) administers to help catalyze public and private investment in Grand Rapids’ urban core.
To maintain a high level of openness and transparency, the full recording of the live-streamed DDA Board meeting on July 13, 2022, is available on YouTube.
The Board met on this agenda and took the following action:
Approved Funding for the Construction of Futsal Courts on the Westside
The Board approved funding to build three futsal courts on DDA-owned landed on the Westside of Downtown.
Three courts will be constructed on the underutilized surface parking lot located at 250 Seward Avenue NW, occupying approximately 1/5 of the total lot. The courts will be fenced, lighted and open to the public year round. This is considered a pilot project to provide learning opportunities for a future permanent installation. The courts will remain in place for 2-3 years. DGRI will be working with community partners on programming and activation of the courts.
Funds were approved not to exceed $337,000 for the construction of the courts which is expected to be completed by or before October 2022.
Approved Funding for World of Winter 2023
The Board approved funds to support the 2023 World of Winter Festival.
For the last two years, DGRI was able to bring in over 400,000 attendees to Downtown during the World of Winter Festival. With the help of Citizen Alliance and River Activation Committee members, 6 traveling international art installations were selected from 67 responses received from a worldwide Request for Proposals (RFP) issued by DGRI in April 2022. These installations will compliment all of the other World of Winter activities, programs and artwork.
Funds were approved not to exceed $250,000 to support six winter art installations for World of Winter 2023.
