City Commission Announces Major Road Projects Starting This Summer

The City of Grand Rapids is hosting its first Commission Night Out event of the year to give neighbors a firsthand look at major road construction projects planned for this summer. The meeting is set for 6 p.m. at GRPS University on Fuller Avenue.

The city is planning work on more than 100 street projects, totaling an investment of more than $51 million from the city's Vital Streets program. Tonight, neighbors will get the opportunity to learn about four upcoming road projects, including timelines, how decisions are made, and resources business owners can use during construction season.

The meeting will focus on the following projects:

Buchanan Avenue from Hall Street to Corinne Street

Work is set to start in September and will include a full street closure. This project received unanimous funding approval from the city commission in agreement with the Michigan Department of Transportation. Acting City Engineer Cindy Irving noted that the city uses cost-sharing agreements with MDOT as a mechanism to recognize local share of cost and to get additional federal funding and state funding to help offset infrastructure expenses.

Burton Street from Division Avenue to Kalamazoo Avenue

This project is set to start in April and will involve some street closures. Burton Street is receiving the largest investment of the Vital Streets program at $11.17 million for reconstruction work.

Cesar Chavez Avenue from Beacon Street to Hall Street

Work was set to start this week and will include a full closure. This project is located in the Cesar Chavez neighborhood in southeast Grand Rapids.

Monroe Avenue from Coldbrook Street to Newberry Street

This project is also set to start in April and involves resurfacing and upgrading sidewalks.

Community Voices Raise Traffic Safety Concerns

The focus on business resources follows challenges faced by local businesses last year when they had to contend with months of construction on Division Avenue in downtown Grand Rapids.

During the event, community members asked the commission to look at improving traffic safety on streets not mentioned in the initial project list. MLK Park Neighborhood Association president Ellen Atkins said that limited sight lanes on Kalamazoo Ave. need to be addressed.

"I'm sure the city wants the residents to be safe on these streets, as the neighbors do," Atkins said. "As you begin to work on the upcoming budget, which I hear you all getting ready to do, we are urging you to keep the safety of our neighborhood in mind."

City Emphasizes Patience and Communication

Acting City Engineer Cindy Irving also mentioned the importance of patience and understanding during construction season.

"The key to letting people know is so that they can plan so they're expecting to see contractors in their neighborhood," Irving said.

The department is also focused on replacing water mains and fixing potholes throughout the city. Irving discussed upcoming road projects at the City Commission Night Out event prior to the commission meeting.

"I think everyone thinks March Madness is basketball, but it's really the start of road construction season," Irving said.

Resources for Impacted Businesses

Following last year's Division Avenue construction, city officials emphasized that resources are available to help businesses cope with construction season impacts. The Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce can connect business owners to programs like West Michigan Community Cash, which offers gift cards that can only be spent at designated spots within the city.

"I took talk of construction to the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce," said Alex Benda, the chamber's economic growth business consultant. "We all wish we didn't have to have construction, but it is a necessity," Benda said. "Developments like these are designed to bring long-term economic growth to a city, including its small businesses."

In the short-term, Benda noted that these businesses sometimes pay a price, forced to reckon with closed roads, less foot traffic and less parking as construction takes place.

"[Construction] is not a problem that businesses have to suffer from all the time, but your sidewalk is going to have to be repaired at some point," Benda said. "So, knowing your business is going to be open, you need to start thinking about how would you handle the situation."

The last day of business for businesses impacted by the upcoming projects will be announced as construction begins.

Looking Ahead

The 100-plus street projects under the Vital Streets program represent a significant investment in Grand Rapids' infrastructure. The city's engineering department is focusing on road improvements as the weather gets warmer, with projects scheduled to begin throughout spring and summer 2026.

Commission Night Out events allow residents to learn about projects before construction begins, helping the community understand what to expect and where to find support resources during the construction season.

Sources

• https://www.fox17online.com/news/local-news/grand-rapids/2026-projects-gr-leaders-meet-with-neighbors-to-talk-about-where-theyll-spot-orange-barrels-soon
• https://www.wzzm13.com/article/news/local/grand-rapids-officials-discuss-upcoming-projects-at-commission-night-out/69-df0fc5b7-6c5b-4d97-90bd-0d8d3cfbfd45