Official Site of the City of Grand Rapids, Michigan

Message from the Manager

See Greg Sundstrom's Transformation Video!…more>>

Transformation Advisors

These two groups of advisors will help GR on its way toward financial sustainability.…more>>

View Commission Meetings

Watch recorded meetings of the GR City Commission, or live streaming when available.…more>>

ArtPrize in Grand Rapids

GR has developed education and training to assist artist and venue participation.…more>>

2010 Media Releases

Click here to read media releases sent from the Executive Office in 2010.…more>>

Your Budget Ideas Needed

Submit your comments and ideas on solving the City's budget issues to the Manager here.…more>>

Volunteer GR!

Help create a vibrant community by volunteering in the City of Grand Rapids!…more>>

GR Stimulus Tracker

Click here to view the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Stimulus) Tracker…more>>

Urban Forestry Committee

View the Plan, the ash tree inventory, and the newest annual report here.…more>>

Complete Count Committee

Check here for information on the US Census Complete Count Committee' progress…more>>

City Service Guide

Click here to download the latest version of the service guide…more>>

What's Happening in GR?

Click here and be directed to all that's happening in and around Grand Rapids.…more>>

VIP Parking in Downtown

We've got one more reason to experience downtown nightlife on a regular basis.…more>>

New Systems Save Time and Money

It began nearly two years ago--the City of Grand Rapids, working with CDW-G, nears complete replacement and redesign of the City's Information Technology (IT) infrastructure, saving over $750,000 annually in IT expenses-- but also transforming the operations of the City. Two years ago Information Technology "guru" Paul Klimas, upon joining the City, informs the City Commission that the City's computer systems are antiquated and failing--no surprise to City employees and citizens alike. But the strategic recommendation to 'refresh' the City's computer architectures was daunting and concerning to most, as you can't simply turn them off for a period of time. City operations had to continue. …more>>

Pools Are Open!

Thanks to the generous gift from Bob Sullivan and a successful campaign to raise private funds to match public resources led by Friends of Grand Rapids Parks, residents and visitors to Grand Rapids can dive into summer at three outdoor swimming pools this year. The pools at Briggs, Martin Luther King, Jr. and Richmond parks are open through August 21. Open swim hours at the three pools will be Monday through Saturday from 12:30- 7:00pm. Admission is free for youth ages 17 and under and $4.00 for adults ages 18 and up. Tax deductible donations are still being accepted for anyone interested in helping to offset the free admission. In addition, a process is underway in partnership with the Friends of Grand Rapids Parks …more>>

Summer Tax Bills Due

The City of Grand Rapids Treasurer's Office has sent 67,423 tax bills to property owners. The summer tax bills are due July 1 and payable without penalty by August 2. This year's summer tax levy for most taxpayer is less than the amount billed in 2009. This is the first "year over year" decrease for the majority of taxpayers since 2003. The decrease is because of two factors. The first factor is that the Grand Rapids Public School debt levy; the second factor is that the assessed and taxable value for most real properties declined due to a negative CPI (Consumers Price Index) in MI in 2009. …more>>

Resolution for Transformation Priorities, 6.22.10

The City is undergoing a transformational process that will include a thorough and critical examination of every City service to determine if the service could be better provided by another agency exclusively or jointly through a partnership or consolidation of jurisdictions. City services will be reviewed to seek maximum cost efficiency, improved customer service, and effective service results. The City will work with the Transformation Advisors to implement the City?s Five-Year Transformation Plan. The City Commission wishes to provide additional guidance to accelerate this process by focusing on the following initial priorities. …more>>

GR's Volunteer Rate Ranked in Top Ten

Grand Rapids has one of the best volunteer rates in Michigan and ranked ninth among 75 mid-size cities in the recent "Volunteering in America" report released by the Corporation for National and Community Service. Grand Rapids' residents volunteer at a rate of 37.6 percent, well above the national average of 26.8 percent. The city of Grand Rapids has a long commitment to service, rising in the mid-size city volunteer rate ranks from 12th in 2008, 10th in 2009, and now 9th in 2010. "I'm rightfully proud of Grand Rapids' recent ranking on the Volunteering in America report," said Mayor Heartwell. "The service commitment of our citizens is having a widespread, positive impact on our community." …more>>

Free Fitness/Dance Classes at Rosa Parks Circle

In partnership with the Downtown Alliance, Grand Rapids Parks and Recreation is offering free fitness and dance classes throughout the summer at Rosa Parks Circle. The classes begin this Sunday with Ballroom/Latin Dancing from 6 pm-7:30 pm. Zumba will be held on Mondays at 5:30 pm and Hip Hop on Thursday at 5:30 pm. A detailed schedule is listed below. All ages are welcome to participate and preregistration is not required--simply show up, get fit, and have fun in downtown GR.…more>>

Recommendations for FY11 Preliminary Fiscal Plan

Click here to read the recommendations to amend the FY2011 Preliminary Fiscal Plan to permit the City Commission to approve a budget by June 30, 2010. This document was the basis for the City Commission's budget discussion on May 25, 2010.…more>>

Community Based Code Compliance Program Underway

In April, neighborhood associations began partnering with the City on a Community Based Code Compliance Program. How does it work? Neighborhood associations contact property owners when an exterior housing or nuisance code complaint has been reported to the City. The neighborhood association then sends a courtesy letter to the owner listing the violation and a follow-up date for compliance. If the violation is corrected as of the follow-up date, the case will be closed--no fees, no hassle. If not corrected, the case goes back to the City for enforcement, and fees may be assessed by the City if violations still exist. …more>>

Grand Rapids Named Most Sustainable Community

The City of Grand Rapids was presented the Siemens Sustainable Community Award for mid-size communities by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Business Civic Leadership Center (BCLC) and Siemens Corporation on May 13, 2010. The winning communities were praised for improvements to the quality of life for residents by achieving vital economic, environmental, and social goals. Mayor Heartwell accepted the award at the ceremony in Houston, Texas on May 13, and stated that this award is "a strong affirmation of the collaborative work that we have been doing in Grand Rapids. Once again Grand Rapids has been brought to the forefront as a leader in sustainability."…more>>

Recreation Reaps Rewards WINS!

Grand Rapids' Recreation Reaps Rewards (RRR) program has been awarded the 2010 WOODTV 8 Connecting With Community Award! This award recognizes the combined expertise and leadership of community partners that inform, educate and empower people in West Michigan in areas such as education, health and safety, and in making our community a better place to work and live. …more>>

City of GR Accepts SAFER Grant

The City of Grand Rapids has accepted a federal SAFER (Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response) grant for $2,962,553. The federal grant program was created to provide funding directly to fire departments to help them increase the number of trained, frontline firefighters available in their communities. Conditions of acceptance include a commitment to retain SAFER funded firefighters for two years. The passing of the income tax increase was key to ensuring the City of Grand Rapids could meet these requirements. This grant will enable the GRFD to recall 6 personnel that are currently laid off and hire 11 additional firefighters. …more>>

Grand Rapids' First Youth Master Plan

The first-ever Grand Rapids Youth Master Plan has been released! This 'living' document was developed from a 2-year process involving an adult steering committee and the Grand Rapids Youth Commission to ensure that children age 0 to 21 are ready for college, work and life. Specific recommendations generated by the community will be given to city/county/state elected officials, parents and all concerned citizens on broader partnerships, bigger goals, better data and bolder strategies. National support for this plan includes: National League of Cities, the Forum for Youth Investment and the U.S. Department of Juvenile Justice.…more>>

Watch the Town Hall Meetings held in April

The links to the recorded Town Hall meetings held in Grand Rapids in April can be found here. City staff appreciates everyone who took time out of their busy evenings to attend and participate in these meetings. …more>>

Stay Informed with our Media Releases

Informative Media Releases sent from the Executive Office can be found on the right side of this page, or by clicking here. The page is updated at the same time media releases are distributed. …more>>

Payments Issued to Vendors

In continuing to transform the City of Grand Rapids, the City will begin to publish a listing of all accounts payable checks issued for each warrant. Beginning on April 22, 2010, a link will be available on this website, to the left, under Need To Know, titled 'Payments Issued to Vendors' which will provide a listing of the checks issued by the Comptroller's Office beginning with checks issued March 3, 2010 and ongoing. The listing of issued accounts payable checks will be updated following each City Commission meeting. …more>>

Use a Credit Card to Pay Water and Sewer Bill

The City of Grand Rapids is pleased to announce that customers can now pay their water and sewer bill by credit card at the Business Offices located at 1101 Monroe Avenue NW or at the Treasurer's Office in City Hall. Using your credit card to pay your water and sewer bill is easy, fast and convenient! Staff reports that usage is increasing rapidly since they processed the first credit card transaction at 1101 Monroe NW last week. MasterCard, Visa and Discover cards are accepted. …more>>

Transformation Advisors Group

The Grand Rapids City Commission is asking a group of community business leaders to consider serving as advisors during this challenging time in our financial history. The Transformation Advisors Group being formed will be an independent body that will review City finances and give recommendations. City staff will work with the advisors to perform the following charges:…more>>