City Commission Night Out Details Buchanan, Burton, Cesar Chavez and Monroe Avenue Projects

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — The City of Grand Rapids is preparing for an intense summer of road construction with over $51 million in planned improvements, including four major projects that will bring significant street closures to neighborhoods across the city.

City officials shared details about the construction plans at the March 31 Commission Night Out event prior to the regular City Commission meeting. Acting City Engineer Cindy Irving walked residents through the city's 130 planned reconstruction projects, which aim to replace deteriorating streets and utilities, fill potholes, and extend road life.

The Four Biggest Projects

Buchanan Avenue — This $5.88 million project will reconstruct Buchanan Avenue from Hall Street to Corinne Street in southeast Grand Rapids. The road will be fully closed during construction, which is expected to start this spring and end in June 2027. The project will include the addition of bike lanes, replacement of lead service lines, and water main work.

Burton Street — Spanning from Division Avenue to Kalamazoo Avenue, this $11.17 million project represents the largest investment in the city's road improvement portfolio. Construction will run from April to November 2026, with some street closures during work. The project includes lead service line replacement, water main improvements, sidewalk and curb ramp upgrades, and new asphalt pavement.

Cesar Chavez Avenue — This $3.5 million project will fully close Cesar Chavez Avenue from Beacon Street to Hall Street. Construction started March 30 and will run through August 2026. Work will include lead service line replacement, water main work, and full reconstruction.

Monroe Avenue — This $1.15 million project will reconstruct Monroe Avenue from Coldbrook Street to Newberry Street. Construction will start in April and run through June, focusing on resurfacing the roadway and upgrading sidewalks and curb ramps.

Community Concerns About Traffic Safety

While the commission approved the projects unanimously, some community members raised concerns about traffic safety on streets not included in the current plan.

MLK Park Neighborhood Association president Ellen Atkins told the commission that limited sight lanes on Kalamazoo Avenue 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."

Understanding Construction Season

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

"Everyone thinks March Madness is basketball, but it's really the start of road construction season," Irving said at the event.

The key message from the city is that residents need to plan ahead and expect to see contractors in their neighborhoods over the coming months. Irving noted the department is also focused on replacing water mains and fixing potholes across the city.

Funding and Cost-Sharing

The projects will utilize cost-sharing agreements with the Michigan Department of Transportation to recognize the local share of costs. Irving explained that this mechanism helps offset the cost of infrastructure by accessing additional federal and state funding.

"We go to the commission with a cost-sharing agreement to recognize our local share of cost," Irving said. "It's just a mechanism that we use to get additional federal funding and state funding to help offset the cost of our infrastructure."

Resources for Business Owners

Following challenges faced by local businesses during Division Avenue construction last year, the city is providing resources for business owners impacted by the upcoming projects. The Commission Night Out meeting gave neighbors a firsthand look at major road construction projects planned for this summer.

Residents can find a map of all ongoing road projects on the city's website.

About the Vital Streets Program

The $51 million investment comes from the city's Vital Streets program, which focuses on comprehensive road improvements. The program aims to address the city's aging infrastructure and improve safety for all road users.

The city is hosting its first Commission Night Out of the year to give neighbors a firsthand look at major road construction projects planned for this summer. The event builds off last year's larger construction-focused event.

Sources

• https://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/2026/04/4-major-grand-rapids-roads-closing-for-construction-starting-this-spring.html
• 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://wzzm13.com/article/news/local/grand-rapids-officials-discuss-upcoming-projects-at-commission-night-out/69-df0fc5b7-6c5b-4d97-90bd-0d8d3cfbfd45