Belknap goes MOBL

With developers investing hundreds of millions of dollars into the state-of-the-art medical buildings on Health Hill, Grand Rapids newest economic engine, residents and community leaders recently launched a public planning process to expand transportation options – well maintained roads, safe sidewalks and bike routes, and first-class mass transit – and accelerate the rejuvenation of the Hill area’s residential, employment, and commercial centers.

The project, known as MOBL NOBL, aims to help guide reinvestment in the area in a way that enhances community character, encourages walking, biking, and other healthy lifestyle choices, and stave off traffic congestion. The project also aims to improve and stregthen the connections between residential neighborhoods such Belknap Hill and entertainment and jobs centers such as the North Monroe district and the medical industry rising along Michigan Avenue.

The project steering committee consists of representatives from the Neighbors of Belknap Lookout, Grand Valley State University, Immanuel Lutheran Church, Coit School, Van Andel Institute, and NEW Development Corp, a nonprofit housing developer. The City of Grand Rapids Planning Department also is providing technical support. The steering committee recently selected O'Bloyle, Cowell, Blalock, and Associates, a local planning and design firm, to manage the MOBL NOBL project. The project is funded by a grant from the Dyer-Ives Foundation.

Source: Kristi DeKraker, Executive Director, Neighbors of Belknap Lookout