A frontier fur-trading town that continues to evolve as a hub of innovation and can-do spirit, the Center City district of Grand Rapids is the financial and cultural anchor of Michigan's West Coast. Rising on the eastern shore of the Grand River, Center City features numerous attractions. The Civic Theatre is Michigan's oldest community theatre. The GRAM holds more than 5,000 works in its permanent collection. The Monroe Center walking mall offers a wide selection of coffee houses, restaurants, and boutique shops. Rosa Parks Circle, the district's public park and amphitheatre, hosts weekly blues concerts in the summer and ice skating in the winter. Another unique highlight is La Grande Vitesse, a large outdoor sculpture at the center of government square, which is distinguished as America's first publicly-funded art installation. The district's major festivals include a three-day arts celebration in June, as well as distinct Polish, Irish, Italian, Native American, Latino, Mexican, German, and African American celebrations of cultural heritage throughout the summer. Incorporated as a city in 1850 with a population of 2,686, Center City now is the heart of Michigan's second largest city. Once known as the Furniture Capitol of the World, this also is the epicenter of Grand Rapids effort to redefine its identity as a leader of modern medical research and sustainable design.
The BHSH Spectrum Health West Michigan Nurse Scholar program seeks to fill the nursing pipeline with an education scholarship program built in partnership with Grand Valley State University and a more than $19 million investment.
In an innovative three-way partnership, the city of Grand Rapids, The Rapid and DTE Energy look to repurpose waste into renewable natural gas to fuel city vehicles. This initiative seeks to decrease carbon emissions and improve the community.
Drawing on her personal experience using poetry as a form of self-expression, Poet Laureate Kyd Kane is giving the community a space to do the same through a new project that will turn into a traveling art exhibit.
The Kent District Library (KDL) 2021-2023 Strategic Plan is well underway, with the goal of being an indispensable community resource. Jaci Cooper, director of projects and planning of KDL, provides an update on implementation.
As businesses continue to navigate the pandemic, it can be helpful to both take a step back to reflect on where they’ve been and look at what is to come. For the owners of Chartreuse Sisters, a French-American fusion patisserie, while the past two years have presented challenges, they have been able to roll with the changes thanks to their creativity, their team and a supportive customer base.
The West Michigan Growers Group is a collective of local, sustainable farmers. Its annual Growers Fare brings together farmers and consumers looking to learn, connect and shop locally.
19th century Grand Rapids botanist Emma Cole had a lasting impact on the educational and scientific world in and beyond our city.
Facing health disparities, many health care organizations are working to answer the question, “How do we deliver equitable care?” Spectrum Health aims to address the issue by providing the community with targeted resources and initiatives.
For some, attending events with lights, sounds, scents and textures can be overwhelming to the senses. Many local community centers and attractions include sensory-friendly events as part of their inclusive programming.
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