A long-planned project to restore the rapids in the Grand River could finally get underway in Grand Rapids in the coming year.
The project has been in the works for more than a decade, and it’s been split into two parts.
The city of Grand Rapids says construction on the first part is on track to begin in the summer of 2026.
Grand Rapids mayor David LaGrand says it will build on a trend of new development along the city’s riverfront.
“We all know, those of us who are here, that there’s a stadium going in, there’s a soccer stadium going in, there’s an amphitheater going in, there are major housing projects going on along this river. So the river is going to be the place to be.”
The first part of the river restoration project calls for removing two low dams in the city’s downtown to restore a more natural flow.
Matt Chapman is head of Grand Rapids Whitewater, the group that’s been working on the plan to restore the city’s rapids for more than a decade.
“We’ve spent the last 15 years learning about this river and building the partnerships that are absolutely critical to make this project happen.”
An earlier version of the plan was rejected by state environmental regulators. That plan called for constructing a whitewater rafting course in the river. The latest version removes the dams and uses more of the river’s natural current.
A second phase of the river restoration involving the larger Sixth Street dam is still in the planning process.
