Board Meeting 2023-01-09

When: 2024-01-09, 6:30pm

Where: Emerald Flats Auditorium ■ 750 Eastern Ave NE (use the west entrance)

Minutes 2023-11-21: http://bit.ly/3GgMP9b

Agenda 2024-01-09: https://bit.ly/3RQdwX1

Pizza and beverages will be provided as we go through the questions from Phase #3 of the city’s Master Plan process. Bring you hopes, dreams, and imagination; what future do you imagine for the neighborhood?

Think about ….

  • In what ways are you connected to the neighborhood?

  • How does affordability impact youth, older adults, people with disabilities, and other vulnerable populations in the neighborhood?

  • What are the barriers to ownership present in our neighborhood?

  • How do you feel about duplexes, triplexes, and accessory dwelling units being built in or near our neighborhood?

  • What should change in order for our neighborhood to be more inclusive?

  • How do people in our neighborhood get to work, school, or to see friends? Biking, walking, public transportation, driving? What are some challenges that come with using transportation options other than cars?

  • Are people with disabilities, older adults, and children able to get around the same way?

  • What would you like to see change about how people move in and through your neighborhood?

  • What barriers currently prevent small businesses from being sustainable and/or accessible in our neighborhood?

  • Where are business and organizations creating using non-traditional spaces? (alleyways, vacant land, etc…?)

  • How could businesses be better connected to our neighborhood in the future?

  • What are some opportunities for under and unused spaces in the neighborhood?

  • What are some barriers you or others face regarding overall affordability and cost of living?

  • Are their places within our neighborhood that are historically or culturally important that you would like to see highlighted or replicated?

  • What types of design features are unique to our neighborhood?

The Master Plan is focused on the “built environment” - what you see when you look around; the design of streets, sidewalks, buildings, and all of the infrastructure of a city. How we choose to design our built environment has impacts on everything for decades, if not longer. When you move through the neighborhood what aspects of the built environment add value and contribute to your experience? What aspects do you experience negatively?

Coldbrook Creek Water Testing

Did you know that our neighborhood is part of the Coldbrook Creek watershed?

Although most of the creek is underground, open parts of the stream can be found in Highland Park and on the campus of Aquinas College! Join our friends Coldbrook Creek Community for the quarterly water testing on Saturday, January 6! They will test for things like conductivity, dissolved oxygen, nitrates, phosphates, pH and turbidity. Water testing is easy to learn, fun to take part in, and only takes about an hour per site. No experience is required!

Quarterly Coldbrook Creek Testing

  • Saturday, January 6, 2023

  • 10:00am: Highland Park : Meet in parking lot at SE corner of park, off Grand Ave.

  • 11:00am: Aquinas College : Meet in the small lot between gym and St. Joe dorm, accessible via campus Fulton entrance.

Schedule for 2024

Events

  • 2024-04-20 : Highland Park Clean-up

  • 2024-06-15 : Eastern Park Clean-up

  • 2024-07-20 : Annual Party In The park

  • 2024-09-14 : Dumpster Day

Meetings

  • 2024-01-09 : Board Meeting & Master Plan Engagement 🍕

  • 2024-02-13 : Board Meeting (2024 events)

  • 2024-03-12 : Board Meeting

  • 2024-04-09 : Board Meeting

  • 2024-05-14 : Board Meeting

  • 2024-06-11 : Board Meeting

  • 2024-07-09 : Board Meeting

  • 2024-08-13 : Board Meeting

  • 2024-09-10 : Board Meeting

  • 2024-10-08 : Annual Meeting

  • 2024-11-12 : Board Meeting

  • 2024-12-10 : Board Meeting

The Rapid's "Thriving" Plan

Have you taken the survey for the Rapid's new master plan? The Transit Master Plan will strategically help The Rapid build a sustainable transit system to serve metropolitan Grand Rapids and surrounding region. The plan will take into account the recent employment and business growth in West Michigan and help align and serve the needs of the community.

The survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/thrivingtmpsurvey

The plan’s homepage serves as the central location for you to find out more information about the Transit Master Plan, learn about upcoming events, and ways you can provide feedback.

Master Plan Homepage: https://www.transitthriving.org/

There will be an open house at Rapid Central Station on Thursday October 19th

Where: The Rapid Central Station - Second Floor Conference Room (250 Cesar E. Chavez Ave SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503)

When: 7am-9am, 12pm-2pm, 6pm-8pm

Board Meeting 2023-09-12

When: 2023-09-12, 6:30pm

Where: Emerald Flats Auditorium ■ 750 Eastern Ave NE (use the west entrance)

Minutes 2023-08-15: http://bit.ly/3I1kvZR

Agenda 2023-09-12: http://bit.ly/3jrzz8O

Proposed calendar of events for 2023 is as follows:

  • September 16th, Park Cleanup

  • October 17th, Annual Meeting

  • October, Dumpster Day

Board meetings are scheduled for: 2023-10-17, 2023-11-21. These are the third Tuesday for every month except September when the meeting occurs on the second Tuesday.