Grand Rapids Getting Over $90M in State Funding for Fire Station, Park Projects

The State of Michigan has a launched new program to assist with community and capital projects and the The City of Grand Rapids is set to receive more than $90 Million.

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The “Make it in Michigan” plan is part Michigan’s bipartisan Fiscal Year 2024 budget that has passed the Legislature and is awaiting the Governor’s signature.

Funds coming to Grand Rapids include $6 million for construction of a new community lodge at Marking Luther King Jr. Park.

City of GR

Work on the MLK Lodge is expected to begin this fall. The plan is to rebuild the existing lodge to create a modern facility that is flexible and multi-use, fully accessible for all ages and abilities, open year-round, safe, energy efficient, and affordable for public use.

Neighbors will be able to use the MLK Lodge for baby showers, family reunions, receptions, quinceañeras, as well as other community health and wellness programming, including fitness classes, basketball and youth enrichment programing.

State Representative Kristian Grant expressed her pride in helping secure funding for the MLK Park Lodge.

Consistently residents have talked about the need for community space. With that in mind, I am happy to bring home $6 million for the renovation of the MLK Community Lodge. These funds will help to modernize the design and expand the services to our community. The space will be used for recreational use, events, classrooms, offices, programming, and most importantly it will be a space that is safe and open to our students and families. I, along with Leader Brinks, am excited to help create a space we, in the third ward, can call our own.

Another $35 Million in funds will go to renovations at two Grand Rapids fire stations. The project proposes to rebuild the Division Avenue Fire Station and help build a station in the Kalamazoo Avenue Fire District.

Division Ave. Fire Station, GRFD

City Manager Mark Washington says,

I am grateful to legislators for this significant investment in public safety and efforts to improve fire services in our growing City,” he said. “Our firefighters do a terrific job serving our community and we can now confidently move forward with developing plans for financing, designing and constructing new stations. I will be working with staff and the City Commission in the upcoming fiscal year to solidify these plans.

In addition, more than $50 million will go to non-profits and community partners for projects in Grand Rapids. Funding will be dedicated to projects to improve infrastructure, affordable and middle housing, lead pipe replacement, closing health equity gaps and expanding skills training, and other programs that will directly impact Grand Rapidians.

Outdoor Games, Gear, and Equipment You Can Rent for FREE From Grand Rapids Gear Library

Grand Rapid Parks and Recreation recently added skateboards to the Thrive Outside Gear Library. Did you know about all the cool stuff you can rent for free? Just about anything you'd need for a camping trip you'll find in the Gear Library at Roosevelt Park Gym, plus team sports equipment, clothing, picnic supplies, even gear for cold weather activities too! The Gear Library is located at the gym at Roosevelt Park at 739 Van Raalte Dr. SW in Grand Rapids. The library is open on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 2:00 pm to 7:00 pm.

Filed Under: fire station, Grand Rapids Fire Department, GRFD, MLK Park, park improvements

Categories: Grand Rapids News