A multimillion dollar land buy preserves downtown Grand Rapids public riverfront access.
The $10.1 million land buy is for six parcels to be used as city green space – things like parks, riverfront access and recreation activities.
It also plays a role in larger city blueprints, such as GR Forward.
The land totals 3.68 acres downtown along the Grand River and the west side of Monroe Avenue NW, adjacent to the highway. The land is currently a mix of unused space and parking lots, owned by the city, Kent County and Michigan State University.
Under the agreement, the state Department of Natural Resources will reimburse the city 75 percent of the cost, or $7.6 million, through a trust fund grant.
The city’s $2.5 million portion will come from Transformation Fund tax dollars through the Capitol Improvement Fund.
