Grand Rapids is a great place to live – but there’s always room for improvement, right?

The City of Grand Rapids is asking what changes residents would like to see, from library improvements, to programs that provide safe and affordable childcare, support victims of domestic violence, educate students in broadcast media, and more.

How do you think City funds should be spent?

Committee Seeks Input From Grand Rapids Residents on Improvement Projects

After getting input from the community, the Participatory Budgeting Grand Rapids Steering Committee has unveiled the final 27 projects that are up for public vote September 30 through October 5, 2022.

Your vote will help determine which improvement projects will be forwarded to the City Commission for funding approval.

The proposed projects will be funded through the graduated dispersal of $2 million in American Rescue Plan Act  funds across Grand Rapids’ three wards.

The City says,

This graduated dispersal allows for investment based in part on the distribution of demographic and economic factors to help address historical disparities across the wards.

 

The breakdown of the distribution of funds is:

• First Ward – $600,000
• Second Ward -$400,000
• Third Ward – $1 million

You can find out which ward your address is in here.

How to Vote For City of Grand Rapids Projects Up For Budget Approval

Once you review the 27 projects below, there are multiple ways to vote.

So what projects are on the table?

27 Projects Up For Public Vote For Funding in Grand Rapids

Here are the projects up for public vote by ward and with the estimated cost of each.

WARD 3

Madison Square Library Upgrades – $250,000

Funding for improvements to the interior and exterior of the Madison Square Library branch.

Lead Line Removal for 3rd Ward – $500,000

Funding for removal of lead lines directly from homes in the 3rd Ward. Funding will expedite the “Lead Service Line Replacement Program” currently in place.

Community Based Violence Reduction Initiative – $250,000

Funding to pilot a community based public safety violence reduction initiative in the 3rd Ward.

City Policy & Equity Practice Review – $336,000

Funding to hire diverse individuals from Grand Rapids communities experiencing the worst of inequities to oversee/review the racial disparities in policies and advise changes that are needed.

Neighborhood/Community Building Grants – $200,000

Funding to provide grants for community building projects carried out by resident led-groups. Funding will…