Located on the flatlands of the lower West Side, the Stockbridge district is located immediately west of the Grand River and Center City. The area is known for its working-class attitude, rich European traditions and, above all, resilience. The construction of the US 131 highway and Interstate 196 in the 1960's destroyed hundreds of homes and businesses in the area. It also scarred the heart and soul of a community. But today the Stockbridge district is emerging as a much stronger and vibrant place than it was before the bulldozers. With a growing selection of pubs, restaurants, and locally-owned specialty shops, as well as aggressive investment in unique urban housing ventures, the Stockbridge area now stands on the leading edge of Grand Rapids' evolution into a thriving 21st century city.
Over the past 10 months, Rapid Growth has featured the places and spaces of GR in our Neighborhoods of GR series. Catch up with the amazing people, nonprofits, and businesses that have graced our pages.
Grand Rapids is a design city teeming with talent. We asked these talented women to tell us what is on their minds about design, their careers, and what they do here in the city.
Michigan now has 14 registered B-corps, companies that are certified in environmental and societal stewardship. GR is home to 11 of these conscious companies. Check them out!
Rapid Growth Media sits down with local leader Brandy Arnold of Kids' Food Basket to talk about her place in the city.
Que’Anna Jackson struggled to find her place in school, often preferring popularity over studying. But her siblings, as well as the Challenge Scholars Program, inspired her that she could do better. This is her story, from her perspective.
Leslie King spent 20 years being sexually trafficked here in Grand Rapids. But her story isn't over. Seeking to help other women escape lives of prostitution, King formed Sacred Beginnings, the city's first survivor-led 24-hour victim advocacy center.
After decades of planning and buying property, Ottawa County Parks’ Grand River Greenway is starting to gain real momentum. Though still several years from completion, backers can’t wait for the day residents and visitors can explore this 35-mile pathway and many waterfront parks and destinations along the way.
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