City to unveil Community Master Plan recommendations in workshops

City to unveil Community Master Plan recommendations in workshops

Published on May 02, 2024

Upcoming round of Community Master Plan engagements will share content from the draft plan and solicit feedback

GRAND RAPIDS - After more than a year of research and gathering community input, the City of Grand Rapids is inviting the public to review the draft Community Master Plan (CMP) during a series of workshops that will take place May 7, 8 and 9.

The public meetings represent the final round of Bridge to Our Future, the ongoing initiative to develop the CMP that will define the vision for how the city will grow and develop over the next 20 years.

"This plan belongs to the community and the residents who voiced their opinions about what this city should look like as it grows and develops for future generations," said Grand Rapids Mayor Rosalynn Bliss. "I am eager to hear feedback from community members, stakeholders, and ultimately, the Planning Commission."

The workshops will allow participants to review the draft recommendations at their own pace followed by small group conversations centered on the chapter areas. The draft recommendations were generated using public input gathered earlier in the process at workshops and through other public outreach efforts.

City Manager Mark Washington praised the city's Planning Commission, Planning Department, and the Community Master Plan Steering Committee for their work on the draft plan and for guiding the public input process.

"These recommendations came from a broad and diverse spectrum of community members and will serve as the foundation for which additional engagement and iterations will occur," he said. "By encouraging public input and new ideas, we now have a draft plan that represents multiple perspectives and will allow bold, inclusive visioning of the future of our city."

The workshops will include a self-paced review of the draft recommendations that takes place from 5 to 6 p.m., followed by small group discussions from 6 to 7 p.m. Each meeting will provide an opportunity to give feedback in an interactive setting, and the public may attend any of the events. The city encourages people from all backgrounds and viewpoints to attend.

The workshops are family-friendly events and dinner will be provided. Attendees are welcome without registering, but completing the RSVP will help ensure there is enough food and materials. Spanish-language interpretation services will be available at all meetings. Attendees can also use the RSVP form to request other interpretation services. Attendees can RSVP at BridgeToOurFuture.com.

The events schedule:

Tuesday, May 7, 5 to 7 p.m.

GRPS University
1400 Fuller Ave. NE

Wednesday, May 8, 5 to 7 p.m.

Ottawa Hills High School
2055 Rosewood Ave. SE

Enter through Door A (main entrance with OHHS sign). The parking lot is accessed at the corner of Sylvan and Burton. Once through Door A, take the stairs to the second floor and the cafeteria is straight ahead.

Thursday, May 9, 5 to 7 p.m.

Sibley Elementary School
943 Sibley St. NW

Enter the parking lot from Sibley Street NW and enter through Door A (main entrance). The gymnasium is through the cafeteria to the right.

The CMP is expected to be presented to the Grand Rapids Planning Commission and City Commission for adoption in the fall. Leading the initiative, among others, are planning NEXT­, a nationally recognized municipal planning consultant; the Grand Rapids City Commission; the city's Planning Commission and Planning Department; and the Community Master Plan Steering Committee. Grand Rapids' last plan was developed in 2002 and has been updated since.

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