South Division – Grandville

The City of Grand Rapids Economic Development Office, in conjunction with a multi-neighborhood leadership team, contracted Williams & Works to study the feasibility of a Corridor Improvement District (CID) within the City of Grand Rapids in the Grandville Avenue and South Division corridors.

The purpose of the study was to outline the tangible legal requirements and estimated outcomes of establishing a Corridor Improvement District (CID) along South Division, Burton Street, Hall Street, and Grandville Avenue. The project included determining development area boundaries and identifying parcels which meet the requirements of Michigan Act 280 of 2005, the Corridor Improvement Authority Act. The study also sought to educate area residents and business owners and to gather input on potential improvements. As part of this outreach process, Williams & Works contracted with a Spanish translator to provide more equitable public engagement. As such, all materials utilized during the process were presented in both Spanish and English.

The study resulted in a deliverable memo which described the process, outlined the requirements, analyzed compliance, projected tax increment, and proposed a development area boundary. The analysis was completed using ArcGIS with data provided by the City of Grand Rapids. The City has since moved forward with the establishment of the CID based upon the findings of the study. In 2019, Williams & Works assisted in the development of the Development Plan and Tax Increment Financing Plan for the CIA.

The South Division - Grandville Corridor Improvement Authority (CIA) was established by the City of Grand Rapids to create and implement a development and tax increment financing plan for several important corridors in the southwest quadrant of the City. The CIA Board and City of Grand Rapids Economic Development Office, with the assistance of Williams & Works, completed a community-driven bilingual plan development process which resulted in the creation of a Development Plan and a Tax Increment Financing Plan to further community goals. With equity at the forefront, the Plan focuses on improvements to public or private properties to prevent deterioration of property values within the district and encourage new investment. In addition to project ideas and costs, the Plan also contains an implementation strategy and timeline. Further, the Plan is available in both Spanish and English so that it is accessible to all of the District’s residents.

As a result of the Plan, the South Division - Grandville CIA is able to make ongoing strategic investments and offer programming within the District by using tax increment financing (TIF). As of 2020, the CIA is working on the feasibility of a Business Improvement District and offering a facade improvement program.