Neighbor concerns and pushback have delayed a major road construction project on Wealthy Street in Eastown.

Grand Rapids, Mich. — About 30 businesses along Wealthy Street banded together to push back on a proposed road reconstruction plan that would have removed street parking and added bike lanes. After hearing those concerns, the city is now delaying the project and gathering additional data before moving forward.

"The City continues to engage with business and community organizations and the City will be gathering additional data and studying the corridor before completing the design between Fuller and Lake Drive," a city spokesperson said in a statement. "The City committed to additional time for community engagement, data gathering, considerations of adjustments to the design, and review of construction sequencing and timing. A final schedule for that work will not be available until the additional design work is completed and shared with the community."

Community Pushback

The proposal came in October when the city suggested removing parking on the north side of Wealthy Street between Carlton Avenue and Lake Drive. Many businesses in that stretch immediately spoke out against the project.

"We need to not just pause it, but either change the plan and make sure it changes so the area has places to park, or else people aren't gonna have anywhere to go to visit these places," said Fadi Shatara, general manager of Pita House, which has been in Eastown for three decades.

Shatara emphasized that diversity, character and small businesses that support one another are at the core of the neighborhood. "Eastown has always been just like a community that brings everyone together," he said.

About 30 businesses got together to oppose the plan. "All the businesses in Eastown, off Lake Drive as well, we all got together and were like, 'Hey, this can't happen,'" Shatara said.

Business Owners Worried About Impact

Business owners and customers say parking is already limited and losing more could drive customers away during an already difficult economic time.

"If you're going to eliminate half the street parking, I feel like it's going to be even worse for everyone in the area," Shatara said. "Everyone's going to struggle. People tell us if they can't find parking, they're just not going to go there. So if you're going to lose, say, even 20% of your business because people can't park, that's going to damage a lot of people in this economy that's already struggling."

Albert Koussan, owner of The New Yorker Menswear, pointed to existing challenges like delivery trucks blocking traffic. He said any reduction in space could make those problems worse.

"That bike lane that they want to create is going to cause a lot of problems more than making it easier for people," Koussan said. "If there was any substitution for that and they were able to create more parking spots for the people that live in this area and have that bike lane, everybody would be happy."

Resident Evan-Tarence Lauchie' expressed similar concerns about access to local shops.

"Parking is tricky because the only option you really have to get to some of these walkable shops is the street and it fills up quick," Lauchie' said. "How am I going to get my food from Chez Olga if I have to park around a corner and then walk unless they're constructing a parking structure? I think businesses like that will be challenged to accommodate the customers."

New Phased Approach

The city says it is now gathering more data and continuing community engagement before proceeding with the next step.

"The reconstruction of Wealthy Street is planned with multiple phases to help manage impacts to the local community," the city spokesperson said. "The first phase is expected in 2027 and includes the intersection of Lake Drive and Wealthy Street and extends to the east City limits near Woodmere. This project will include water main, reconstruction of the brick street, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant sidewalks, bulb outs to improve visibility of pedestrians and shorten cross walks, and on street bike lanes that connect to existing bike lanes in East Grand Rapids and on Lake Drive. The City anticipates bidding the first phase in the Fall of 2026 for construction in 2027."

For people who frequent the area, it is a relief. "I'm glad that they were wanting to pause to hear community voices," Lauchie' said. "I hope that they listen and that there's a collaborative solution that we can come up with that won't negatively affect the businesses, especially the restaurants in the already struggling time that they're allowed to have their customers get here."

Hope for the Future

For the businesses, it is a step in the right direction. "So far, it's postponed. we're hoping for it to be canceled," Koussan said. "Hopefully it stays forever on pause," Shatara said.

The city has committed to additional time for community engagement, data gathering, considerations of adjustments to the design, and review of construction sequencing and timing before moving forward with the project.