The place where art, entertainment, charity, and good eats converge, Heartside is located just southeast of the central city. The historic district features a number of Grand Rapids' most popular destinations. The Van Andel Arena hosts major concerts, and is home to the Griffins hockey team, an affiliate of the Detroit Red Wings. Ionia Avenue is known for its vibrant nightlife. Avenue for the Arts, which runs along Division Avenue, showcases local artistic talent in shops and galleries. And the new Downtown Market, just South of Wealthy Street (not technically in Heartside, but close enough) provides a large selection of year-round produce and food options.Housing in Heartside is on fire, where hundreds of repurposed industrial and early 19th Century commercial spaces have been converted into some of the best residential projects in the Midwest.Heartside is recognized and celebrated for its compassion. So amidst the wi-fi coffee shops and modern lofts is a number of upstanding community kitchens, clothing banks, and other services for less fortunate citizens. Heartside joined the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. Today, it offers some of the more fashionable shopping, dining, and entertainment in the city.
Three developers expressed interest in purchasing 16 acres of city owned land between Market Avenue and the Grand River. Each plan includes some variation of a major investment in new housing, retail, and entertainment space.
The Grand Rapids Ballet’s latest abstract performance ballet is a hit. The piece, titled “Exotica,” is an experiment by artistic director Gordon Pierce Schmidt.
On September 6, 2006 United Airlines will launch service from Grand Rapids to Denver. The route is expected to be a major pathway connecting Grand Rapids to the western United States.
Cingular Wireless announced a $100 million plan to improve its network across Michigan, including a substantial investment in metro Grand Rapids. The company has already invested over $60 million in Michigan since it acquired AT&T Wireless more than a year ago.
Governor Granholm tour of Japan landed 150 new jobs and nearly $34 million in investments for Michigan. Grand Rapids should see 80 news jobs and some $13 million in foreign investment.
The Eames Lounge Chair has symbolized modernism and fresh furniture design for 50 years. A new book, and a traveling exhibit organized by the Grand Rapids Art Museum, will help celebrate its history.
If the presence of construction cranes is a sign of a city’s upward mobility then the sky is the limit for Grand Rapids.
Two Michigan based companies – Meijer and General Motors – have chosen Grand Rapids as one of several target markets for corn- and soy-based fuel. The fuel, which is 85 percent ethanol, aims to help reduce fossil fuel dependency, eliminate harmful auto emissions, and open new markets for the agricultural industry.
The Ride to Read program, established in 1992, connects GRPS students with books and the library.
A recent survey from Spout.com, a new Grand Rapids-based internet movie retailer and film forum, reveals film enthusiasts are dissatisfied with Hollywood’s product and prefer to watch movies at home with friends.
Our Partners
