West Grand Neigh. Org. - Turner Gateway Beautification Project

A large portion of the requested funding will create grants to leverage private spending. Elements of the project will enhance the area's business districts, housing quality, environmental responsiveness, and overall aesthetic appeal. Improvements include two gateway gardens, ten commercial facade improvement projects, and ten business district greening grants. Ten residential homes will enhance their appearance and qualify for the Neighborhood Enterprise Zone (NEZ) tax abatements through $3,000 matching grants. Additionally, an improved pedestrian underpass, two mural projects, and five matching grants to build native gardens will be included. The project, which also includes a privately funded native rain garden, will be a sustainable model for urban greening and soft-path pollution mitigation strategies. The grant will be used for business district facade program, gateway sites and entry gardens, pedestrian underpass facade, farmers’ market, mural projects, and housing rehab matching grants.

Highlights:

• The project has met all of the set goals, and the partnerships have sustained beyond the initial start of the project.
• West Michigan Environmental Action Council (WMEAC) helped to design rain gardens for the community that would be resilient and would flourish despite lack of care and maintenance. With the assistance of the West Grand Neighborhood Organization (WGNO), master gardeners were pulled together to further the effort. The community feels an ownership of the gardens, which provides further support for them. This was accomplished through the partnership of WMEAC and WGNO.
• The farmers’ market and the continuation of the farmers’ market are one aspect of economic development that has occurred. Some other businesses are looking to (re)develop in the area.
• Union Square Condo Project is very successful and booming. There has been no issue in selling and leasing spaces in the area.
• A number of groups and organizations were involved in the catalyst project. The neighborhood itself was deeply involved, as was the community in the work of the farmers’ market. Both the community and neighborhood participated in upkeep of the gardens. Businesses provided funding, and the City of Grand Rapids – Department of Transportation also was involved.
• Steeple Town Ministries, Greater Grand Rapids Food Systems Council, Michigan Department of Transportation, the City of Grand Rapids, Branns Steakhouse and Grill, Shade and Linoleum Shop Inc. (The Shade Shop), Union Square Condos, Belden Brick and Supply, the West Michigan Environmental Action Council (WMEAC), Trinity CRC Church, and the West Grand Neighborhood Organization (WGNO) all played an active part in the catalyst project.