Uptown Advisory Council -East Hills - Uptown Revitalization

The Uptown Revitalization Project includes a new retail development utilizing green technology that is compatible with historic district standards; a facade improvement program for historic commercial structures; and a wayfinding design program to increase the walkability of the Uptown area.

Uptown is a mix of diverse residential areas, unique commercial districts, and great people. Uptown is composed of five thriving neighborhoods – Baxter, East Hills, Eastown, Fulton Heights, and Midtown; four exciting commercial districts – East Hills, East Fulton, Eastown, and Wealthy Street; and three historic districts – Cherry Hill, Fairmount Square, and Wealthy Theatre.

Highlights:

• The area now has a thriving mixed-use center structure that houses the West Michigan Environmental Action Council (WMEAC) along with other businesses. The site had been an abandoned gas station/brownfield that was in the center of the neighborhood. Now there is a building with a “green” roof and rain gardens.
• There are three new businesses in the project building, as well as a retail area surrounding the building. The area has had a 90 percent occupancy rate for the last three years. In addition to new construction that occurred as a result of the stimulus created by this corner, there has been a rise in property values and more businesses have located in the neighborhood. 
• The project building is the first LEED double gold certification in the world.
• “Our new space in the East Hills Center building couldn't be more appropriate for us. The green-built space, the rain gardens and the environmental philosophy behind this building make it the perfect location for WMEAC.” – Rachel Hood, executive director of the West Michigan Environmental Action Council.
• Uptown Advisory Council reported in 2005:
  • The Uptown Cool City Advisory Council meets once a month and includes members of the local business districts, neighborhood associations, and city representatives. A community collaborative process to design future Neighborhood Economic Development processes has been established for the entire city.
  • Through public/private partnerships, the neighborhood has been promoted as a highly viable location in which to establish and operate successful businesses. Previously vacant commercial properties are being developed and occupied by businesses, bringing jobs into the neighborhood.
  • There have been approximately five new business startups and three business expansions. 
  • There has been $1.6 million in public investment.
  • There also has been more than $1.3 million in private investment.
  • The property at 920 Cherry Street will be developed into 30–50 energy-efficient units.
  • There was a zoning ordinance waiver for the East Hills Center regarding the setback for the building. In addition, the City is currently in the process of rewriting its zoning ordinance to reflect the vision of ideal neighborhoods based upon the City’s Master Plan.
  • “The Cool Cities program provided incentives for neighborhood areas to collaborate not only for infrastructure improvement and economic development, but also for enhancing the image of neighborhood areas. The “Cool Cities” theme provided key energy with which to leverage modest amounts of grant funds.” -  Rachel Lee, Uptown Advisory Council
• Uptown Advisory Council reported in 2006:
  • “The City of Grand Rapids viewed the project as an economic development initiative.” - Rachel Lee, Uptown Advisory Council
  • “One of the biggest things that has been accomplished has been bringing the businesses and the neighborhoods together. We are all one group working together to make this a great place to live. Before the Cool Cities grant there was no forum where businesses and neighborhood associations could come together.”
  • The catalyst grant fund of $100,000 helped to leverage:
    • $62,666 additional Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding
    • Cost savings of $4,000 waived by the City of Grand Rapids in support of the catalyst project
    • Award of a $324,357 non-point source pollution grant from the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality
  • The neighborhood was chosen as a pilot area called “Hot Spots, Cool City,” a wireless broadband campaign. The wireless broadband campaign is called “Hot Spots, Cool City” and the neighborhood was selected as a pilot area.
  • The Uptown Advisory Council was formed because of the Cool Cities initiative. “Midtown is starting to look into some grants and working off the Cool Cities idea to develop their neighborhood. What we are doing here is in some ways being used as a template by others … to go after some developer money. They have seen what can happen with collaboration.” - Rachel Lee, Uptown Advisory Council
  • There is 100 percent occupancy of retail space, and high demand for more space.
  • Development is being planned for a 4.1-acre parcel on Cherry Street in the neighborhood.
  • Uptown received $1.6 million in local public investment in 2004.
  • Marie Catrib’s of Grand Rapids, a gourmet bistro, opened at the East Hills Center site in November of 2004, creating 25 jobs.