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 July 9, 2025, is available on YouTube.
The Board met on this agenda and took the following actions:
Civic Theater - Downtown Enhancement Grant
The Board approved a Downtown Enhancement Grant to provide reimbursement for 50% of the cost to install a snowmelt system on Division Avenue at the Civic Theater. This addition will provide a safer environment for pedestrians during the winter months. The project is part of the larger reconstruction of Division Avenue from Fulton to Crescent.
The Board approved funds not to exceed $67,000 for a Downtown Enhancement Grant for the Civic Theater.
Holiday Lighting
The Board approved funding to support Downtown holiday lighting for the winter months. Services include installation, de-installation, maintenance and storage to be provided by Christmas Decor by DeVries. This funding will support all of the existing holiday lighting Downtown, as well as new lighting to be installed at Lyon Square.
The Board approved funds not to exceed $83,275 for the provision, installation, de-installation and storage of holiday decorations for FY 2026.
World of Winter Art Activation
The Board approved funding to support all logistics related to the installation of up to 10 large scale artworks for the 2026 World of Winter (WoW) festival. Following a Request for Proposals (RFP) issued in March, a coalition of community stakeholders selected 8 installations from local, national and international artists (from 176 proposals from 43 different artists). The installations will serve as a major feature of the WoW festival.
The Board approved funds not to exceed $400,000 to support winter art installations for World of Winter 2026.
