Changes to Millennium Park’s master plan unveiled today
Five years ago, Kent County Parks officials developed a master plan for their crown jewel attraction, Millennium Park. Much remains the same – a testament to the planners’ vision – […]
Heritage Hill
Heritage Hill is, quite literally, first class. With homes dating from 1848, Heritage Hill is the City of Grand Rapids' first residential neighborhood. In 1973, it became the city's first historic district. And today Heritage Hill remains one of the largest urban districts in the United States. The Meyer May, Frank Lloyd Wright's first commission in Michigan, is just one premier attraction. The neighborhood boasts hundreds of architecturally significant structures and more than 60 distinct architectural styles. Enthusiasts can take a self-guided walking tour or join the highly popular annual two-day public tour hosted by the neighborhood association in October. Located immediately east of the central city, Heritage Hill was once home to the entrepreneurs, educators, and politicians that shaped the city. The neighborhood today remains equally diverse and prestigious.
Uncorking Citywide Sustainability
Corky Overmyer became the Grand Rapids' first 'Sustainability Manager' on July 1, 2006. His charge: reinvent the city.
The Dawn of Electric Mobility
Throughout its history, the City of Grand Rapids has stood at the forefront of transportation design and innovation. So what's next for Michigan's second largest metro area?
Horsin’ Around Town
Tired of wood plank roads and muddy walks around town, Grand Rapids embraced horse-drawn street cars near the end of the 19th century. The move set the stage for a monumental transformation from primitive frontier town to modern American city.
Giving Away in Grand Rapids
Whether it's a $5,000 grant to lift up a neighborhood association or three-quarters of a million dollars to renovate an old building, a determined culture of giving has helped set the stage for Grand Rapids' renaissance.
Housing at All Costs
From a million-dollar high-rise condo unit to luxury lofts, upscale options are adding diversity to the central city's housing market and making the area a stronger and more attractive place to live.
Front Seats to the City
After decades of hiding inside watching television or retreating to the backyard for barbeques and beers, more and more city dwellers are moving outside to the front porch. The movement is spurring chance face-to-face meetings, stregthening social networks, and catalyzing neighborhood revitalization.
Welcome to Green Building Capital, USA
From water-free toilets to rooftop gardens, green design has quickly emerged as the new regional standard for developing sustainable buildings. Columnist Tom Leonard explains why, more and more, developers choose to go green.
Defining ‘Sustainability,’ Grand Rapids Style
'Sustainability' is the word for the new millenium. The term is popping up everywhere. At community meetings. On corporate advertising. In political speeches. But what does it mean? Tom Leonard explains in the first of a series of regular columns exploring what the philosophy of sustainability means for the future of West Michigan.
Touring the Rock Roads
Cobblestone was the material of choice when it came to paving the streets of Grand Rapids in the late 1800's. But today as few as four short sections of rock road remain in the city.
