City of Portland

The catalyst project is a boardwalk that will connect to the pedestrian bridge over the confluence of the Grand and Looking Glass rivers. The boardwalk will run along the back of the commercial buildings on the 100 block of Kent Street.

Highlights:

• The project is very visible to drivers on the main thoroughfare, Grand River Avenue, coming from Grand Rapids. It is a huge improvement, transforming an eyesore where there had been trash to a well-kept public area. Business owners have made facade improvements, and the area is much more appealing.
• The boardwalk is a gathering place and a great way to get from place A to place B. 
• There now is more activity downtown. Positive changes have occurred as the boardwalk project came to completion. Cheeky Monkeys, a popular coffee shop and bakery, was basically an empty storefront before the completion of the boardwalk. 
• There are more people walking around downtown, and not just on the boardwalk. You also will see cyclists, in-line skaters, and even skateboarders. 
• Portland reported in 2005:
  • We added downtown events, musical and arts-oriented youth programs, arts and musical publications at band shows and art studios.
  • The installation of the boardwalk will provide marketing strategies for more commercial arts and crafts activities.
  • $3 million in public investment has occurred in the neighborhood. A $3.8 million library expansion is under way, to be completed July 2005. Underground cable has been installed on Maple Street,  and there have been other infrastructure improvements on Kent and Bridge Streets.
  • Private investment also has occurred in the neighborhood. A $1.5 million, 23-unit condo is under way. Five units currently are occupied; with completion scheduled for spring 2005, all 23 units will be occupied by end of 2005. Three lofts also were added and are occupied.
• Portland reported in 2006:
  • The Main Street program’s Design Committee has designed a two-block section of a street in the downtown neighborhood. Also, the DDA has an ongoing facade rehabilitation program.
  • The actual construction has only begun this summer (2006) with a completion date in October.
  • There is a fantastic loft program sponsored by the Michigan State Housing Development Authority that has been the heart and soul of the improvements in housing in Portland’s downtown. The intent to increase downtown housing is a major factor in the Boardwalk Project
  • The Cool City designation has given a real lift to the entire city of Portland. It has fostered a community-wide process of looking for ideas or projects to make Portland more “cool.” 
  • Because of the Cool Cities Neighborhood Award Designation, businesses are anticipating the opening of the boardwalk and embracing the idea of literally “turning their business around” by planning to orient at least part of their store or restaurant to the boardwalk, overlooking the river.