With more active neighborhood associations than any other area of the city, the southeast side of Grand Rapids encompasses Baxter, East Hills, Cherry Hills, Eastown, Heritage Hill, Madison Square, and Midtown, among others. Filled with historic homes and an ever-growing selection of boutiques, farm-to-table restaurants, coffee shops, and hipster bars, the southeast side celebrates its racial diversity, artistic creativity, strong civic spirit, and burgeoning business development while retaining the character found in its brick roads and sidewalks.
The Inner City Christian Federation (ICCF), in partnership with the Madison Church, is now offering affordable housing and other services on the southeast side of Grand Rapids at their recent development at 415 Franklin.
After reemerging in 2020, the Martin Luther King (MLK) Neighborhood Association has continued to strive and move forward through the unexpected COVID-19 pandemic with the goal to continue caring for one other and advocating for the community. Even through the challenges, the faithful few have come together virtually, working on their mission to continue enhancing the overall quality of life in the neighborhood and building on the rich history that has become a known part of the community for over 40 years.
Beginning in 2020 in her yard, Alita Kelly’s gardening caught the attention of some of the neighborhood youth, leading to conversations about social and racial justice, as well as the history of food. As a result, “freedom school” was born. Now, in collaboration with the city of Grand Rapids Parks and Recreation Department, the MLK Freedom School has become an expansion of Kelly’s vision for the community.
The Boston Soul Café on Kalamazoo Avenue services the Boston Square community by offering quality breakfast and lunch selections Thursday through Sunday, including an extended soul food dinner menu every Sunday. The Café also specializes in offering ice cream, with a window that is open seasonally. As the business makes its presence known, the common feedback from those who try the Café is that they are happy to have discovered this neighborhood gem.
High automobile speeds and distracted drivers create increased pedestrian safety concerns, prompting infrastructure shifts and conversations about street safety.
During the COVID-19 quarantine, Oakdale Neighbors, a southeast community development organization, remained committed to serving its neighborhood, even finding new ways to stay connected with its community, despite a year of isolation.
The Diatribe’s 49507 Project brings youth and community together to not just create anti-racist art, but to build a stronger community and change.
IFF, the Early Learning Neighborhood Collaborative (ELNC) and Amplify GR are collaborating to build a 12,000 square-foot childcare facility and support existing small/home daycares in the 49507.
Developing relationships in the neighborhood — helping people to connect with one another and becoming involved in making their community stronger — is the main goal of Bates Place. The community connectors of Bates Place that take the lead in making these interactions possible are living by purpose and gaining the trust of others. In building this trust, the connectors are also helping residents realize their talents and purpose in meaningful ways that benefit their neighborhood for the long term.
Members of the South Hill Neighborhood Association are instrumental for the redevelopment of a parking lot into what is now Pleasant Park, which, when opened, was the only park in the state of Michigan that has been funded through an assessment by citizens in the area and not a city millage.
Our Partners
