Grand Rapids Michigan! Check us out!
I attended a seminar about Green Grand Rapids and Historic preservation. Then right after I went to a luncheon with WCR Western Michigan Chapter and our guest speaker was from The Right Place. After a morning of positive thinking, attitudes, changes and learning about the future of Grand Rapids……….it has given me a big uplift in my own thinking and given me much more to talk about and I am more excited about Grand Rapids then ever!
A snip it from the website: “City of Grand Rapids Planning Department and Parks and Recreation Department view this as an opportunity to initiate a citywide green infrastructure master planning process called Green Grand Rapids that will focus on quality of life and the physical development of community infrastructure as it relates to greening, connectivity, natural systems, the Grand River, recreation and public health”.
The city’smaster plan of 2002 is not gathering dust, they are working hard on this project and their insight for the future is amazing to me! The “plan” is going to create award winning area’s to add detail to the “big picture”. There is a big focus on parks and recreational amenities, community gardens and farmers markets!
The last master plan was in 1963 when man first walked on the moon! Yes, it was time for a new one creating a more urban-walking community.
Historic preservation has been a concept sense the 1960’s and the first local designation was in 1973. You can have a multi source such as heritage hill or a single source such as 39 Fitch place.
Grand Rapids is filled with stately manors and modest working homes, by preserving these homes it defines who we are and the character of the city!
Because of the historic preservation less then 5 percent of the homes in these area’s are vacant apposed to 25 percent in 1991.
To have a home considered Historic it must be 50 years old or older….. (I am almost historic myself!) However if you have a new home say built in the 60’s or 70’s that has some historic arctetucual design or something happen there to make history in that house you also may qualify for benefits from the State Historic preservation tax credit program. 10 to 25 percent tax credit can be had. This tax credit is not only available to home owners, some income properties may qualify as well. However there are rules and guide lines you need to follow………..so read this first before purchasing a home or making any repairs. Our quest speaker was very nice and knowledgeable and is willing to walk any property with you before you buy it, to see if there are any violations to the home and to give her recommendations for preserving the home.
A community work shop on this subject is going to be May 17th 2008 1pm – 4pm @ 920 Cherry Street. Admission is FREE! For more details call Heritage Hill Assocaition 459-8950 or Easthills Council of neighborhoods 454-9079 or City of Grand Rapids planning Dept 456-3451.
2003 Added 1.7 billion and 20,252 jobs to Michigan economy
2005 tax credit projects brought in 400.5 million in credit investment
Of course with this – jobs were to be had, more business came to town, benefits from tourism dollars, and an increase to property values.
Names of Historic Districts in Grand Rapids
• Fairmount Square – 1999
• Heartside – 1979
• Heritage Hill 1973
• Cherry Hill – 1994
• Wealthy Street 1997
For more information and to down loan guidelines and maps click here. If you are going to print it, be ready…….there is 74 pages! Or contact:
Historic Preservation staff
City of Grand Rapids
Zoning Department
1120 Monroe NW
616-456-3451 or 616-446-4503
Ray DeWinkle – visited us at the WCR luncheon and had some great information. Here are some interesting facts: he shared with us:
• #1 Lowest Commuting Time
• #1 Green building Capital In U.S.
• #1 for Business Building Projects
• #1 home ownership for all regions
• #4 Star quality life Metros
• Rank #36 for Top U.S. Metros for Eurpean Expansion
• Best city for dating per – Sperling’s best Places (WOOO HOOO)
For more statistics and info visit the right place.
Green Grand Rapids
A snip it from the website: “City of Grand Rapids Planning Department and Parks and Recreation Department view this as an opportunity to initiate a citywide green infrastructure master planning process called Green Grand Rapids that will focus on quality of life and the physical development of community infrastructure as it relates to greening, connectivity, natural systems, the Grand River, recreation and public health”.
The city’smaster plan of 2002 is not gathering dust, they are working hard on this project and their insight for the future is amazing to me! The “plan” is going to create award winning area’s to add detail to the “big picture”. There is a big focus on parks and recreational amenities, community gardens and farmers markets!
The last master plan was in 1963 when man first walked on the moon! Yes, it was time for a new one creating a more urban-walking community.
Historic preservation
Historic preservation has been a concept sense the 1960’s and the first local designation was in 1973. You can have a multi source such as heritage hill or a single source such as 39 Fitch place.
Grand Rapids is filled with stately manors and modest working homes, by preserving these homes it defines who we are and the character of the city!
Because of the historic preservation less then 5 percent of the homes in these area’s are vacant apposed to 25 percent in 1991.
To have a home considered Historic it must be 50 years old or older….. (I am almost historic myself!) However if you have a new home say built in the 60’s or 70’s that has some historic arctetucual design or something happen there to make history in that house you also may qualify for benefits from the State Historic preservation tax credit program. 10 to 25 percent tax credit can be had. This tax credit is not only available to home owners, some income properties may qualify as well. However there are rules and guide lines you need to follow………..so read this first before purchasing a home or making any repairs. Our quest speaker was very nice and knowledgeable and is willing to walk any property with you before you buy it, to see if there are any violations to the home and to give her recommendations for preserving the home.
A community work shop on this subject is going to be May 17th 2008 1pm – 4pm @ 920 Cherry Street. Admission is FREE! For more details call Heritage Hill Assocaition 459-8950 or Easthills Council of neighborhoods 454-9079 or City of Grand Rapids planning Dept 456-3451.
Interesting facts
2003 Added 1.7 billion and 20,252 jobs to Michigan economy
2005 tax credit projects brought in 400.5 million in credit investment
Of course with this – jobs were to be had, more business came to town, benefits from tourism dollars, and an increase to property values.
Names of Historic Districts in Grand Rapids
• Fairmount Square – 1999
• Heartside – 1979
• Heritage Hill 1973
• Cherry Hill – 1994
• Wealthy Street 1997
For more information and to down loan guidelines and maps click here. If you are going to print it, be ready…….there is 74 pages! Or contact:
Historic Preservation staff
City of Grand Rapids
Zoning Department
1120 Monroe NW
616-456-3451 or 616-446-4503
Grand Rapids -The Right Place
Ray DeWinkle – visited us at the WCR luncheon and had some great information. Here are some interesting facts: he shared with us:
• #1 Lowest Commuting Time
• #1 Green building Capital In U.S.
• #1 for Business Building Projects
• #1 home ownership for all regions
• #4 Star quality life Metros
• #4 Star logistics Metro’s for 2006
• Rank #36 for Top U.S. Metros for Eurpean Expansion
• Best city for dating per – Sperling’s best Places (WOOO HOOO)
For more statistics and info visit the right place.
WOW, it is a great time to live in Grand Rapids
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