The Downtown Development Authority (DDA) is a funding tool that Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. (DGRI) administers to help catalyze public and private investment in Grand Rapids’ urban core.
To maintain a high level of openness and transparency, the full recording of the live-streamed DDA Board meeting on September 11, 2024, is available on YouTube.
The Board met on this agenda and took the following actions:
Gillett Bridge Lighting Improvements
The Board approved funding for the replacement of decorative lighting and electrical maintenance work on the Gillett Bridge. The last repair and replacement took place in 2015.
The Board approved funds not-to-exceed $30,000 to replace light bulbs and perform necessary maintenance on the Gillett Bridge's archway lighting.
Disability Advocates of Kent County
The Board approved funding for accessibility services and consulting in partnership with the Disability Advocates of Kent County (DAKC). DAKC has been collaboratively working with DGRI since 2019 to support efforts to improve accessibility on infrastructure projects, create universal design guidelines for Downtown navigation, provide accessibility recommendations for events and more. In FY2025, the scope of work will include consultation to maximize universal design opportunities in the built environment, collaborate with DGRI on evaluation of existing and proposed DDA funded projects for universal design, advance best practices for inclusive social and cultural events and continue to build a Downtown Accessibility Navigator database.
The Board approved funds not-to-exceed $75,000 for Disability Advocates of Kent County accessibility services.
Hill + River Network Pedestrian Tunnel Project Support
The Board approved funding to continue the process of implementing the vision for a pedestrian underpass that connects the Monroe North neighborhood to the rest of Downtown. This underpass is one specific component of the Hill + River project that continues to progress in three distinct phases (switchback park, Division Avenue realignment, rail tunnel/pedestrian underpass). Currently, the pedestrian underpass project at Bond Street and I-196 has completed the design development phase and is moving into the pre-bidding and pre-construction phase. This stage of the project will include the creation of the necessary documents to proceed to bidding.
The Board approved funds not-to-exceed $314,000 for SmithGroup to continue professional services related to the creation of construction, bidding and permit documents.
