Roosevelt Park - WKTV Journal

By Luke Ferris, Habitat for Humanity of Kent County

On Feb. 20, the Grand Rapids City Commission unanimously approved the site plan for the 5.5-acre Plaza Roosevelt development located in the Roosevelt Park neighborhood in southwest Grand Rapids.

“One step closer,” said Mayor Rosalynn Bliss after the commission commenced a roll call vote to adopt the ordinance that will rezone several properties along Grandville Avenue, Graham Street and Rumsey Street SW.

The plan was unanimously approved by the City Planning Commission in January and reviewed by the Community Development Committee on February 6^th. The project is scheduled to break ground in fall of 2018 with Habitat Kent’s affordable housing and a new Grand Rapids Public Schools (GRPS) high school.

“Congratulations, this is an amazing process where a really deep dive was done with the community and I’m really pleased to move this forward tonight,” said Second Ward Commissioner Ruth Kelly prior to the vote.

Plaza Roosevelt is a neighborhood-driven mixed-use development which will enhance health, education, and economic opportunities for the Roosevelt Park neighborhood. Guided by resident leadership throughout the process, the development plan is the result of community-based organizations representing health, education, housing, and the arts coming together to bring neighbors’ vision for Roosevelt Park to life.

“We are pleased to be a partner in something that is going to bring such a good development project that is benefitting our neighbors and driven by our neighbors,” said Roosevelt Park Neighborhood Association Director Amy Brower. “This is a step toward a bright and strong future for an already vibrant neighborhood.”

The site is situated in the Roosevelt Park neighborhood on two blocks on the east side of Grandville Avenue between Graham Street on the north and Franklin Street on the south. Named Plaza Roosevelt by neighbors, the development will provide future affordable homeownership and rental opportunities, expansion of Mercy Health St. Mary’s Clinica Santa Maria, the new dual-immersion GRPS high school, arts and cultural programming, community gathering space, after-school programming and other services and amenities to the area.

“Because of neighborhood leadership and guidance throughout the process, the development plan is the result of people coming together to bring the neighbors’ vision for Roosevelt Park to life” said Habitat Kent Executive Director BriAnne McKee. “I’d like to thank the Planning Commission, Community Development Committee, City Commission, and Mayor Bliss for approving the site plan and understanding the vision for the neighborhood.”

Partners in Plaza Roosevelt include the Neighborhood Partner Committee—comprised of neighborhood residents—and Habitat for Humanity of Kent County, Ferris State University, Dwelling Place, Grandville Avenue Arts & Humanities, Grand Rapids Public Schools, Hispanic Center of Western Michigan, Mercy Health Saint Mary’s Clinica Santa Maria, and the Roosevelt Park Neighborhood Association.

For more information on the Plaza Roosevelt development, visit plazaroosevelt.org.

A $70,000 Lowe’s Grant to Habitat Kent will support a summer of resident-driven activities

By Luke Ferris, Habitat for Humanity of Kent County

Habitat for Humanity of Kent County and the Roosevelt Park Neighborhood Association will host a launch party Saturday, June 3rd from 1-3 pm at Cesar Chavez Elementary School for the third annual Roosevelt Park Curb Appeal Contest.

The Curb Appeal Contest is a home beautification contest organized by Habitat Kent in collaboration with the Roosevelt Park Neighborhood Association in the Roosevelt Park Neighborhood. Participants receive a gift card to Lowe’s at the start of the competition and then compete against their neighbors to improve the exterior of their home. At the end of the contest, prizes are awarded for homes that show the greatest improvement. Organizers plan to engage 160 participants in the contest this year.

The contest kicks off a summer of resident-driven activities and events in the Roosevelt Park Neighborhood supported by a $70,000 grant from Lowe’s to Habitat for Humanity of Kent County. The funding is part of $1.75 million in grants Lowe’s awarded 22 Habitat affiliates across the country to support more than 84 Neighborhood Revitalization projects.

“In the Roosevelt Park neighborhood, the Lowe’s grant will help residents make improvements to their homes, their blocks, and continue bringing their vision for the neighborhood to life,” said BriAnne McKee, executive director of Habitat Kent.

In addition to the Curb Appeal Contest, Lowe’s grant funds will support resident-led neighborhood beautification projects, including first steps and short-term goals for implementing the newly created area specific plan, “Viva la Avenida.” These projects could include creating and hanging new light post banners, creating custom artwork for bus shelters, and painting mini-murals on utility boxes along Grandville Ave.

The Lowe’s funds will also help launch the first annual neighborhood awards in partnership with the Grandville Avenue Business Association and support a neighborhood ArtPrize venue in partnership with the Grandville Avenue Arts and Humanities.

“Lowe’s shares Habitat’s vision that having a safe, stable home helps bring strength, security and pride to families and ultimately communities,” said James Frison, Lowe’s community relations director.

Through Habitat’s Neighborhood Revitalization approach, Habitat affiliates offer an expanded array of housing services and partner with local residents, housing leaders, community groups and businesses to transform neighborhoods and enhance the quality of life in communities.

A national partner since 2003, Lowe’s has committed more than $63 million to Habitat for Humanity and helped more than 6,500 families improve their living conditions. Each year, Lowe’s provides grants and volunteer assistance to affiliates, supports National Women Build Week and conducts how-to clinics at stores to teach volunteers construction skills.