Business & Real Estate
Business Resource Library
Downtown Business Resources
A list of resources and phone numbers that can help business owners with questions.
Downtown Streetscape Design Guidelines
- Introduction, Existing Conditions, and Urban Design Framework
- Streetscape Design Guidelines: Public and Private Realm
- Appendices: Landscape Plants, Case Studies, and Resources
The Downtown Alliance, a Business Improvement District created for the purpose of making Downtown Grand Rapids even better, has developed a comprehensive Downtown Streetscape Design Guidelines report as a planning tool for beautifying the Downtown. The guidelines provide a direction for businesses that are considering their own streetscape projects. By developing streetscapes in front of their businesses, individual business owners help create a more vibrant downtown environment. The guidelines communicate how Downtown businesses can work in harmony with other businesses and “greenspace” developers in the district. This report is the overall plan for downtown beautification that establishes design standards as well as guidance for execution.
Residential Marketing Analysis
In April 2004 a residential market analysis for Downtown Grand Rapids was released. The purpose of this study was to identify the market potential for newly-introduced market-rate housing units, through the adaptive re-use of existing non-residential buildings, as well as new construction to be leased or sold. In brief, the study included where potential renters/buyers for new housing units in Downtown are likely to move from; who currently lives in the draw areas and what they are like; how many of these people are likely to move to Downtown Grand Rapids if the appropriate housing units are made available; what their housing preferences are; what they will pay to live in Downtown Grand Rapids; and how quickly they will rent or purchase the new units.
Arts and Entertainment Strategy
The Downtown Development Authority and the State of Michigan provided funding to develop an Arts and Entertainment Strategy for Downtown Grand Rapids. In May 2004, the DDA selected a consultant team, lead by Urban Marketing Collaborative, to develop a consensus for this new strategy and prepared an action plan for adoption in the winter of 2004. This study focuses on Downtown Grand Rapids' growing reputation as a destination arts and entertainment area. Directing resources to enhance this inherent arts and entertainment strength is specifically defined and highlighted.
Commercial Market Analysis of Arts and Entertainment Strategy
This study specifically looks at the Arts and Entertainment Strategy (above) in relationship to the direct and indirect spin-off effects for other Downtown commercial businesses. An arts and entertainment strategy can work successfully to animate Downtown neighborhoods, improve public safety, increase Downtown residential populations, enhance streetscapes, and restore heritage buildings. Businesses and Corporations actively seek to locate their businesses in artistically alive communities to help attract and retain skilled employees.
Downtown Zoning Ordinance
In 1995, the City of Grand Rapids adopted a new zoning ordinance for the downtown area. This zoning ordinance is communicated in full in this report.