By: Deborah Johnson Wood
In an effort to promote the shopping, dining, pubs, health care and manufacturing along Grand Rapids’ Michigan Street NE, the Michigan Street Business Association is looking for a new look and feel for the corridor between Bostwick and Plymouth avenues. That is, if that’s what the stakeholders want.
On October 16, the MSBA will host a meeting where property owners, residents, and business owners can voice their ideas and vote on whether or not to launch a corridor improvement study — a first step in possibly creating a revitalization strategy.
Millions of dollars in new development include the Medical Mile, Mid Towne Village, new restaurants, coffee shops, the Lake Michigan Credit Union and a new daycare complex for Spectrum Health employees.
Proposed developments include a new Rylee’s Ace Hardware and retail shops at the site of the former armory, and a D&W Fresh Market. But in spite of the massive potential investment, the corridor has a number of bleak areas.
“The corridor has vacant homes, lots and buildings, and the owners are holding onto them waiting for them to be purchased,” says Anita Prins, MSBA president. “Some of the vacant properties are eyesores and are becoming an issue for the small business owners along the street.
“We have trucks delivering and exporting goods from the manufacturers on the street. We also have residential areas,” she adds. “We have a lot of dynamics taking place on the corridor and could really use a plan to help guide those dynamics.”
The meeting will be from 4:30 to 7 p.m. at the West Michigan Center for Family Health, 1425 Michigan St. NE. Michigan Street residents, property owners and business owners are welcome, as well as residents and stakeholders from surrounding neighborhoods.
Source: Anita Prins, Michigan Street Business Association; Deborah Johnson Wood, Michigan Street Business Association
Deborah Johnson Wood is development news editor for Rapid Growth Media. She can be contacted at [email protected].
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