UrbanGR5d ago
Planning Commission Agenda, 2026-06-11
- 629 Michigan St NE : beer & wine sales at new convenience store
- 925 Cherry St SE : New venue space & parking waiver
- 614 First St NW : Office to residential conversion (13 units)
#GrandRapidsMI
https://urbangr.org/PlanningCommission20260611
Planning Commission Agenda, 2026-06-11 | Urban Grand Rapids

UrbanGR5d ago
Downtown hotel occupancy spikes to 91% (May 30th); occupancy rates over 90% are rare, industry wide. #GrandRapidsMI #UrbanDoomLoop
https://www.crainsgrandrapids.com/real-estate/commercial/cgr-new-venues-conferences-push-hotel-occupancy-up-20260605/?utm_id=gfta-ur-260608&share-code=JZH6F6VYHJBPPMXBUIAQMQ6SHY&user_id=4488858&customer_secondary_source=cgr_articleGifting
Amphitheater, convention business push Kent County hotel occupancy to rare high

Acrisure Amphitheater, combined with downtown convention business, pushed Kent County hotel occupancy above 90% in late May.

Fight Back! News6d ago

Grand Rapids protests visiting former Presidents Bush, Clinton: ‘War criminals out!’

Grand Rapids, MI – On the evening of June 2, more than 40 people showed up outside the entrance of Devos Hall to protest the visit of former Presidents George W. Bush and Bill J. Clinton to Grand Rapids. The war criminals were speaking as guests of honor at the annual dinner put on by the Economic Club of Grand Rapids, a networking club for local elites.

[...]

https://fightbacknews.org/articles/grand-rapids-protests-visiting-former-presidents-bush-clinton-war-criminals

UrbanGRMay 26
Grand Rapids launches a $145,000 fund with a two (2) year duration to stimulate economic development alongside the $1,300,000,000 investment in the city's riverfront. Funds will be used to ecounrage and education the local entrepreneurial community. #GrandRapidsMI
https://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/2026/05/grand-rapids-program-aims-to-turn-river-investment-into-business-opportunities.html
Grand Rapids program aims to turn river investment into business opportunities

The new initiative will provide workshops, pitch competitions, and boot camps to help entrepreneurs develop ideas for new businesses along the riverfront.

mlive
UrbanGRMay 26
“This is a younger, more diverse, and more educated region than it was even a decade ago,”
Almost 25% of the region is youth; which is very much a stand-out statistic for the United States.
And vacancy remains very low, meaning there is still room for growth.
https://rapidgrowthmedia.com/right-place-report-highlights-grand-rapids-growth-resilience-and-future-competitiveness/
#GrandRapidsMI
Right Place report highlights Grand Rapids’ growth, resilience, and future competitiveness – Rapid Growth

A new Right Place report shows how decades of planning have positioned West Michigan for sustained economic growth and opportunity. A new Right Place report shows how decades of planning have positioned West Michigan for sustained economic growth and opportunity.

Rapid Growth
UrbanGRMay 26
Planning Commission Agenda, 2026-05-28
- 755 Michigan St. NE : outdoor seating & alcohol service
- 2213 Griggs Ave SE : change to site-plan at 55+ multi-family development
- 3850 Sparks Dr. SE : exceed parking maximum by 69%
https://urbangr.org/PlanningCommission20260528 #GrandRapidsMI
Planning Commission Agenda, 2026-05-28 | Urban Grand Rapids

UrbanGRMay 25
The long mostly vacant building (614 1st St NW) behind Bridge St Market is on the path to full occupancy with Macatawa bank moving in and part of the building being converted to thirteen (14) apartments. #GrandRapidsMI
https://www.crainsgrandrapids.com/real-estate/commercial/cgr-rockford-office-conversion-bridge-street-20260521/?utm_id=gfta-ur-260525&share-code=RNTYAYWUBBB5TIO2YN7REBW2NU&user_id=4488858&customer_secondary_source=cgr_articleGifting
Rockford plans $2.6M office-to-apartment conversion off Bridge Street

The apartment units at 614 First St. NW will be located next to Wintrust's future flagship Grand Rapids office.

Fight Back! NewsMay 19

Grand Rapids reportback from Cuba’s May Day in Havana

Grand Rapids, MI – The Grand Rapids district of The Freedom Road Socialist Organization assembled for a May 17 reportback from Jessica Plichta on their recent humanitarian aid trip to Cuba. The event took place at Fountain Street Church

[...]

https://fightbacknews.org/articles/grand-rapids-reportback-from-cubas-may-day-in-havana

UrbanGRMay 19
By as nearly universal consensus as is possible about anything, the new amphitheater - already known locally as the GRAMP - is a success and architectural masterpiece. #GrandRapidsMI #GRAMP
https://www.mlive.com/news/2026/05/a-stunning-new-184m-michigan-amphitheater-these-opening-weekend-photos-say-it-all.html
A stunning new $184M Michigan amphitheater: These opening weekend photos say it all

The new Acrisure Amphitheater opened with Lionel Richie and a full weekend of celebration, giving thousands their first look at the long-awaited venue in downtown Grand Rapids.

mlive
UrbanGRMay 19
Macatawa Bank is moving into the office building at 614 First St. NW; will operating banking service on the ground floor and office functions on the upper floors.
Quote: “We’re going to have a tremendous number of bankers there.”
#GrandRapidsMI
https://www.crainsgrandrapids.com/banking-finance/cgr-macatawa-bridge-street-20260518/?utm_id=gfta-ur-260519&share-code=GBZLAMUFP5CIBFVMNOACXUF4JE&user_id=4488858&customer_secondary_source=cgr_articleGifting
Macatawa Bank bets on Grand Rapids west side with flagship office

Macatawa Bank plans a major expansion on Grand Rapids’ west side with a branch and relocated commercial banking operations adjacent to Bridge Street Market.