The project includes 3,000 feet of sewer separation on Godfrey Avenue from Oxford Street to the Grand River. A larger storm sewer will replace an older combined sewer to direct rainwater to the river instead of the water treatment facility.
“Our combined sewer overflows to the river have been disconnected for quite some time. We still have some combined sewers that’ll send stormwater to the water resource recovery facility.”
Grand Rapids’ acting engineer Cindy Irving says this is the last pipeline section needed to direct rainfall to the river, maximizing the impact of past improvements across 184 acres.
“The total estimated cost is $28 million, so hence our ESD team has been working hard to identify alternate funding sources for this substantial project.”
The city is seeking a $20.7 million loan for the 2027 fiscal year from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy to finish the project. The remaining $7.3 million is not eligible for the loan.
The project is still in the design phase, with construction scheduled to begin in 2028, lasting two years.
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