City of Grand Rapids - City Home

Transformation of the City Organization

The City has a long road ahead to transform itself to serve better our citizens. We can no longer continue to operate City government as we have in the past. We need to move toward financial sustainability. We need to understand what citizens truly value. We need to secure adequate revenues to stabilize City finances to permit us to transform into a financially sustainable organization. We need time to transform our service offerings, service delivery models, and staffing models. We will become more transparent, engage our citizens, improve our customer service, and seek new partnerships and consolidations. (This is an excerpt of City Manager Greg Sundstrom's presentation to the City Commission on February 9, 2010. Read more here.)…more>>

2010 Mayor's State of the City Address

Mayor George K. Heartwell annually addresses the citizens of the City of Grand Rapids. He presents his State of the City speech on Saturday, January 30, at DeVos Place, to an audience of citizens and regional leaders. Click here to read his speech, and the links to which he refers. …more>>

2010 City Commission Retreat Information

The City Commission Retreat was held on Tuesday, February 2, 2010, at Western Michigan University in downtown Grand Rapids. Staff and Commissioners discussed different topics related to current and future initiatives to ensure that the City of Grand Rapids continues on the path of becoming financially sustainable. Here are links to the information presented to Commissioners during the retreat. …more>>

Results from Community Budget Gatherings -UPDATE

On January 26, 2010, the City Commission received the following information in the form of a report, describing the suggestions that were considered to be viable which were gleaned from the Citizen Budget Gatherings. A team was assembled to review each suggestion. The suggestions were then sorted by the following categories …more>>

2nd Ward Commission Seat Vacancy

The Grand Rapids City Commission is currently seeking interested candidates to fill a seat recently vacated by David LaGrand. The successful appointee will complete the term of said seat, which expires December 31, 2011. Applications are now available in the City Clerk's Office at 300 Monroe Ave NW, 2nd Floor, and online. Candidates must file their application along with a biographical sketch and/or resume by 5:00 PM, February 23, 2010. Late applications will not be accepted. …more>>

Voting Precincts reduced from 100 to 83

On Tuesday, January 26, 2010, the City Commission approved an ordinance change recommended by the City of Grand Rapids Election Commission that consolidated 34 precincts into 17 precincts. The consolidation subsequently reduced the total number of precincts in the City of Grand Rapids from 100 to 83. This consolidation eliminated six (6) precincts in the First Ward, six (6) precincts in the Second Ward, and five (5) precincts in the Third Ward. As a result, there will be a cost savings through the reduction of staffing, precinct supplies, and other election preparation functions.…more>>

Weston Commerce Parking Ramp Opening

The much anticipated opening of the Weston Commerce Parking Ramp is upon us. This joint effort between public and private interests, which resulted in an interior parking structure owned by the city and residential/commercial liner buildings on the street at 38 Commerce Ave SW, has become a model for future collaboration. On Friday evening January 15th this newest City of Grand Rapids Parking Services Department facility will be open for parking. Located at 16 Weston Street SW this 364 space ramp, with 8 additional handicap spaces, is accessed on the south side of Weston just west of Division St. …more>>

Find Us On Flickr!

In our latest social media endeavor, the City of Grand Rapids has created a Flickr Group called the City of Grand Rapids, Michigan. (www.flickr.com/groups/grcity/) Be sure to take a look at the pool of pictures in the group and check out the other groups dedicated to showing off our vibrant city and community life. We encourage you to submit your own photos of the City to the group so we can showcase the explosive talent of our citizens and the beauty of our community. The City of Grand Rapids will select individual pictures to feature on our www.grcity.us home page banner. Be sure to include a caption about the photo with your name. Our home page will rotate the latest pictures in the pool so be sure to check back often. …more>>

Spreading the word, not the germs!

As the flu season continues, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) has asked cities to help spread the word about the 2009 H1N1 virus, particularly to individuals who are traditionally harder to reach with health messages, including those who do not have access to the internet or have trouble reading. This document includes links to several fliers that are ready-to-use and feature information on vaccine safety and healthy habits for a variety of vulnerable populations.…more>>

GR's 1st Neighborhood Stabilization Program Home

The City of GR and Lighthouse Communities, Inc. announce the completion of Grand Rapids' first Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) home at 1727 Giddings Avenue SE. Mayor George Heartwell will hold a dedication ceremony on December 9, 2009 at 12:30 p.m. The public is invited to visit the home between 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. …more>>

Snow Plowing and Odd-Even Parking

Streets in the City of Grand Rapids are plowed when there are three inches or more accumulation of snow and after the First Attention routes have been cleared. City plows clear business and residential streets, cul-de-sacs, and dead-ends. A contractor plows the alleys. Please abide by the following rules for parking on your street if posted with odd/even parking signs: …more>>

Passport Photo Service at the City Clerk's Office

The City Clerk's Office is a certified acceptance agent for passports. Our friendly staff is excited to provide One Stop Shop Services for Passport Applications, Passport Cards, and Passport Photos. The U.S. passport is a valuable document, and members of the Clerk's Office staff are fully trained to process the application in accordance to the U.S. Department of State regulations. Providing the Passport Photo service is a relatively new addition to the list of services available in the Clerk's Office.…more>>

Planning For Our Future

The budget planning process for the City's next fiscal year will be unlike any in Grand Rapids' history. The general operating fund deficit we are facing is nearing $21 million. In order to meet this difficult challenge, no City department will likely be left unaffected. We know what is important to our citizens from budget meetings we've held previously, and soon we will engage you in community discussions to help shape the City organization around the deficit . This year, we will present the City's financial picture, and will ask our residents to identify the services they can live without. The City's transformation will not be easy. Use these links to read about the City's current financial state.…more>>

City Assessor's Office Goes Green

In an effort to reduce the needless waste of paper, while at the same time reducing costs by creating efficiencies, the City has partnered with its property tax software provider, BS&A, to offer a green and modern alternative for filing personal property statements. …more>>

Community Budget Meeting - Watch it!

If you were unable to attend any of the Community Budget Meetings held in November and December, you can now view one of the recorded meetings by clicking here. Citizens should take in the message from City Manager Greg Sundstrom, and watch the interaction with those gathered to learn more about the City's budget problems. …more>>

Financial Update & Service Delivery Transformation

We are passing through some of the darkest days in our State's and City's history. Our fates are intertwined because City government is a legal entity of State government. Michigan never recovered from the national recession of 2002, and its decline has significantly affected the finances of the City of Grand Rapids. Unfortunately, the State's decline appears to be accelerating. State Sales Tax revenues are down 19%. State Income Tax revenues are down 22%. Michigan Business Tax revenues are down 37%. Our State is in a downward spiral, and our State government has been unable to address this economic meltdown and become a sustainable public service provider.…more>>

Pay by Cell Phone in Grand Rapids

Parkmobile North America announced today a revolutionary new service that will allow residents and visitors in Grand Rapids to use their mobile phone to pay for metered parking. "Grand Rapids continues to pursue innovative alternatives that optimize technology to enhance parking options," said Pam Ritsema, Director of Parking for the City of Grand Rapids. "Parkmobile clearly fits that goal with this product. It will make parking at meters even more convenient." With the launch of Parkmobile, residents and visitors in Grand Rapids are now able to start and stop their parking transaction by mobile phone. Go live date is November 2, 2009.…more>>

Online Property Tax Estimator

Want to estimate what your Real Property Taxes will be when you receive your Notice of Assessment? Or perhaps you are looking to buy a piece of property and want to estimate what your Real Property Taxes will be or your mortgage escrow? Well now you can by using the Treasurer's Office Online Property Tax Estimator. …more>>

Trouble Paying your Mortgage? Free Help available

Beginning July 5, 2009, Michigan Law requires all lenders to work with you to avoid foreclosure. For more information, click here.…more>>

Fiscal Plan Available Online

The City of Grand Rapids' FY2010 Fiscal Plan is now available online by clicking here. …more>>

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