Tag Archives: Godwin Mercado

City of Wyoming revitalization projects are underway, show visible progress

March 7, 20253-bottom, architecture, Citizen Journalism, City of Wyoming, Culture, design, Development, Going Local, Kent County, Local Business, Our Cities, West Michigan28th Street, City of Wyoming, Community, development, Godwin Mercado, pedestrian bridge, Site 36, Wyoming [re]Imagined, Wyoming City Center, Wyoming Parks & Recreation DepartmentDeborah Reed

The City of Wyoming has spent two decades [re]Imagining its future, and is making steady progress in making those dreams a reality (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)

By Deborah Reed

WKTV Managing Editor

deborah@wktv.org

The City of Wyoming has spent two decades [re]Imagining its future, and is making steady progress in making those dreams a reality.

The Wyoming City Center plans include many facets geared toward creating a central gathering place accessible by walking.

“What’s happened in recent years has been a calling for a return to the traditional development patterns of downtown,” said Wyoming Deputy City Manager Patrick Waterman. “Main streets where people can get out and walk, and shop, and come together as a community.”

28th Street Pedestrian Bridge

Those driving down 28th Street can now see the installation of a new 12-foot wide elevated pedestrian bridge.

The ADA accessible bridge will accommodate two-way pedestrian and bicycle traffic across 28th Street and is part of 4.6 miles of new non-motorized pathways providing access to various key destinations in the City.

28th Street elevated pedestrian bridge (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
28th Street elevated pedestrian bridge (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
28th Street elevated pedestrian bridge (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
28th Street elevated pedestrian bridge (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)

“We’re trying to put the spokes into the hub to get people,” said Waterman. “Those [trails] will connect north to Grand Rapids and south to Byron Center.”

The City Center’s proximity to the highway and Silver Line bus route will also provide easy access to the downtown area. Construction of the pedestrian bridge will finish in June 2025.

Godwin Mercado Marketplace

Also making steady progress is the forthcoming local Godwin Mercado marketplace at Site 36 Industrial Park.

An 80-acre parcel of land with 75 acres on the south side of 36th Street, Site 36 includes an additional five acres on the north side dedicated to the marketplace.

Godwin Mercado marketplace site (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
Godwin Mercado marketplace site (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
Godwin Mercado marketplace site (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
Godwin Mercado marketplace site (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
Godwin Mercado marketplace site (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)

City Manager John Shay says Godwin Mercado answers residents’ call for a community space to gather and hold events.

The 6,000-square-foot market space will provide year-round usage opportunities to support local vendors, seasonal farm and artisan markets, food trucks, community events and private events.

The name Godwin Mercado comes from extensive community input that included residents, community members and business leaders. Godwin Mercado not only serves as a gathering space and point of pride for the greater Wyoming community, it honors the rich heritage and thriving modern culture of the neighborhood where it sits.

“We landed on a name that really connects us to this unique neighborhood and celebrates the community here in Wyoming,” said Krashawn Martin, Wyoming Director of Parks and Recreation, at the groundbreaking ceremony in November 2024.

36th Street Industrial Park

Construction on the 75-acre parcel on the south side of 36th Street is also well underway. The former GM plant was sold to commercial real estate investment company Franklin and Partners in 2022 and now boasts cleared land and structure assembly.

Benteler Automotive‘s new battery components assembly plant will focus on production of a battery tray, tray cover and charging modules weld vent for the V801 Ford Transit Van. The project includes a 299,845-square-foot facility and an additional 17,120-square-foot single-story office area.

“It’s a huge investment in the community,” said Nicole Hofert, Director of Community and Economic Development for Wyoming.

City officials estimate the Benteler plant will generate 150-170 new jobs.

Construction on Site 36 includes development of three land parcels for industrial use (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)

In March 2024, the Wyoming City Council approved Corewell Health’s proposal for a 296,515-square-foot consolidated service center. The project will provide space for Corewell Health’s supply chain offices, document and mail services, a 36,000-square-foot shell space and a dedicated parking area for lab courier fleet vehicles.

All medical supplies for the region’s Corewell hospitals will be distributed from this centralized location and will generate an estimated 240 new jobs.

Franklin Partners retains ownership of the third and final Site 36 parcel, which has garnered notice by other businesses.

“It’s about the people.”

“The genuine excitement that Wyoming has about this project, it’s carried us through it,” said Martin. “People are just thrilled to see something happening after there being nothing here for so long.

“Feeling their excitement feeds our excitement and gets us where we need to go to make it happen. That’s what it’s all about – it’s about the people.”

Over the next decade, Shay would like to achieve the City’s vision of crowded sidewalks, shops and restaurants, and special events that will bring people together and strengthen that sense of community.

Wyoming City Center plaza rendering (Courtesy, City of Wyoming)

Wyoming [re]Imagined: Learn More!

Click the following links to learn more about the City of Wyoming, [re]Imagined:

Wyoming breaks ground at future Godwin Mercado site on 36th Street

November 20, 20243-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Wyoming, Community Health, Development, Going Local, Kent County, Local Business, Local History, Our Cities, Voices, West MichiganCity of Wyoming, Community, construction, Culture, Godwin Mercado, groundbreaking ceremony, heritage, Site 36, Wyoming ReimaginedDeborah Reed

Wyoming city officials broke ground at the future Godwin Mercado site, officially kicking off the start of construction (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)

By Deborah Reed

WKTV Managing Editor

deborah@wktv.org

Wyoming city officials reached a significant milestone as they broke ground at the future Godwin Mercado five-acre parcel of land on 36th Street.

“We are excited about this because it’s been in the works for so long, we weren’t sure it was going to come to pass,” says Wyoming Mayor Kent Vanderwood. “This is a great day.”

Godwin Mercado will be situated on the north side of the Site 36 Industrial Park.

Formerly a General Motors stamping plant, the 75-acre parcel of Site 36 was sold to commercial real estate investment company Franklin and Partners (FP) with an agreement that FP would help Wyoming develop a community marketplace on the north side.

After years of community, vendor and market research, Godwin Mercado is now under construction.

The Godwin Mercado groundbreaking took place Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024 (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)

“This has been something that residents have been asking for for years,” says Nicole Hofert, Director of Community and Economic Development for Wyoming. “To be standing here today and seeing the dirt moving and knowing that in eight months we’re delivering a promise to the community, I’m so excited right now.

“I’m very proud of the City of Wyoming team, all our partners and the ability to bring this to fruition after all this time.”

A community asset

City Manager John Shay says Godwin Mercado is part of the City’s [re]Imagined Wyoming.

“Our goal is to prioritize investments in the community that contribute to placemaking and strengthen Wyoming’s sense of identity,” says Shay, adding that this marketplace answers residents’ call for a community space to gather and hold private events.

An outdoor rendering of Godwin Mercado (Courtesy, City of Wyoming)

The 6,000-square-foot market space will provide year-round usage opportunities to support local vendors, seasonal farm and artisan markets, food trucks, community events and private events.

Market days will provide fresh and healthy food options with access to all food assistance currencies. This will fill key gaps in the area’s food system and help support the well-being of residents living in the Godwin Heights neighborhood and greater Grand Rapids area.

A rendering of the indoor event space at Godwin Mercado (Courtesy, City of Wyoming)

The Mercado space will also accommodate food education demonstrations, health and wellness programs, and more.

The marketplace will be easily accessible due to its walkable neighborhood location, the City’s reconfigured trail network, and its proximity to the highway and Silver Line bus route.

Celebrating culture

The name Godwin Mercado comes from extensive community input that included residents, community members and business leaders.

“We landed on a name that really connects us to this unique neighborhood and celebrates the community here in Wyoming,” said Krashawn Martin, Wyoming Director of Parks and Recreation.

Godwin Mercado is a celebration of the neighborhood’s rich heritage and thriving modern culture (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)

Godwin Mercado not only serves as a gathering space and point of pride for the greater Wyoming community, it honors the rich heritage and thriving modern culture of the neighborhood where it sits.

The story of Godwin Heights is one of perseverance, ingenuity and grit. Beginning in a one-room schoolhouse in 1867, Godwin Heights has become a thriving destination shaped by its melody of cultures.

Mayor Vanderwood hopes Godwin Mercado will create strong community bonds.

“We’re such a diverse community, and we feel it’s time we start giving recognition to that diversity,” says Mayor Vanderwood. “By naming it as part of this proud neighborhood of Godwin, and giving it the Hispanic market name of Mercado, we think it will draw from all across the city.”

True community development

Krawshawn Martin (left) visits with guests before the groundbreaking ceremony (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)

“This project is really an example of true community development,” says Don Shoemaker of Franklin Partners. “We purchased this site from the City knowing that it was going to take a real community effort to get to this point.

“We’re really glad to be part of the team, and the City of Wyoming should be very proud of what they have accomplished here today because it really was a great community effort.”

Randy Thelen, President and CEO of The Right Place, agrees.

“This placemaking project with the market is going to help improve the quality of life of tens of thousands – if not hundreds of thousands – of people all across the region,” says Thelen.

“The partnership that brought this all together is powerful, and it allows for big things to happen. Our team is pleased to be a partner on this project throughout.”

It’s all about the people

State Rep. John Fitzgerald (left) greets Deputy City Manager Patrick Waterman (Courtesy, Deborah Reed)

Martin says the reaction from the community has been the driving force behind Godwin Mercado.

“The genuine excitement that Wyoming has about this project, it’s carried us through it,” says Martin. “People are just thrilled to see something happening after there being nothing here for so long.