GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Utility upgrades, separated storm and sanitary sewers, new street trees and lighting, narrower roadways and wider sidewalks, plus raised bike lanes are coming to Division Ave, but only after the orange barrel crew is done.
Michigan's unofficial state flower will start blooming in the downtown corridor between Michigan and Fulton Sts Monday.
Organizations in the area told FOX 17 they've coordinated with the city, gaining assurances access to buildings would be maintained while at least a sidewalk on 1 side of the street would remain open, but drivers didn't share the same optimism for the project when we spoke to them.
Johanna O'Brien expressed her concerns, saying, “I think it's going to create a lot of chaos downtown. It's a small area to have a lot of cars accumulating, people going to work, school and other places.”
READ MORE: CONSTRUCTION AGAIN: Division Avenue set to undergo next phase of reconstruction in Grand Rapids
The City tells FOX 17 this is the kick-off to a season of construction improvements to areas across Grand Rapids.
S. Division Avenue – North of Fulton to Crescent
Targeted Construction period – March 3 to November
Leonard Steet – Powers to Alpine
Targeted Construction period – March 24 to October
Ann Street – Monroe to Plainfield
Targeted Construction period – June to September
Boston Street – Fuller to Plymouth
Targeted Construction period – March 10 - August
Plainfield Avenue – Fuller to I-96
Targeted Construction period – June to November
Other projectsUpdates on the City’s Vital Streets projects, including access to a free Vital Streets newsletter, are available hereor by calling 311 or 616.456.3000.
- Wealthy Street and Front Avenue intersection (reconstruction)
- Valley Avenue – Fulton to Bridge (water main, reconstruction)
- O'Brien Road – Covell to Butterworth
- Michigan St – Maryland to Leffingwell
- Cherry St – Sheldon to LaGrave and Prospect to Madison
- Fulton – Plymouth to Worcester (sidewalk installation)
- Gillette Bridge - Deck Replacement
- Leffingwell – Leonard to Bradford and Bradford – Leffingwell to Leonard (water main, reconstruction)
- Oakley Place – Lyon to Crescent (water main, reconstruction)
- Oxford Street – Norwich to Godfrey (bridge removal, reconstruction)
"We understand large projects can be disruptive to homeowners and businesses, impacting travel around the city," City Engineer Tim Burkman noted. "That’s why we are enhancing our communications efforts this year to keep community members informed of the projects, suggested detours, and how they may impact travel and commutes.”
The Grand Rapids City Commission will host an informative meeting from 5:30-7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 25 at Union High School.
The project on Division hopes to wrap up sometime in November.
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