[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6324229,"mediaKeyId","2339182-fa54c1006b5bfdfb0e2b4e947202ac79","parentId",2339182,"title","Commission hears several Brownfield and development proposals, refers projects to Committee of the Whole","audioSeconds",1569,"startMs",1541000,"endMs",3110000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2339182-fa54c1006b5bfdfb0e2b4e947202ac79&start=1541&end=3110","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2339182-fa54c1006b5bfdfb0e2b4e947202ac79/thumbnail_1541000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6324229/Grand-Rapids-City/Kent-County/Michigan/Commission-hears-several-Brownfield-and-development-proposals-refers-projects-to-Committee-of-the-Whole","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6324229-591e388c6bafe703962b16e6266ceed8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771171844&Signature=HqD5vy-jPGegAUwJvvkeX-Fy2jSzfJwc73eqhsY2uAMYqvM1lBL6dXJUVkN0dQgl6tfSN60GvxhDgfL9VdDrupIBdaBhCdP716eAUYsI~DEAeJUaxl6yLV2-YkfMa5k1N9l~aG0~494~8DmqFnF0ObI3TWlpMS4bhW3ldsBWhkB8208cZVzFlG-cjOzrD4vY9xL9HFag0Fm53jGi-ILEvsZmTyWKLWUU-Y86nSOhrvdh1Dygmz6xsIKKPr8kiTxprEsFUfBmgCmg5TXTeHkk9Scq0NU8JiF4UQX3hKh5Oermv1CCP8MXO1Nc0Mz-P7pIYTCjfJkflS38HkmuaP0SBg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","The City of Grand Rapids","date","2025-02-11T00:00:00Z","article","The Grand Rapids City Commission on Feb. 24 held public hearings on multiple development proposals that would use Brownfield and other city real-estate tools, and referred each item to the Committee of the Whole for more detailed consideration.

The items heard included a Wealthy Street building activation and tax-exemption request; the M Village project on Eastern Avenue associated with Messiah Baptist; a proposed headquarters building for the West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce; and a Brownfield-plan amendment tied to infrastructure investments on a large industrial site in Walker.

1007 Wealthy Street: Staff described a proposal to reactivate a currently vacant building with first-floor commercial activation and four residential units on the second floor. The project presenter said the building comprises about 1,800 square feet on the first floor, with construction costs presented as $704,735. The applicant highlighted a 10-year exemption and an inclusion plan that set aspirational subcontractor goals of 30% for minority-, women- and micro-local businesses. The hearing record shows no public opposition; the commission referred the item to Committee of the Whole.

M Village (Eastern Avenue): Staff presented the M Village Brownfield plan, describing two phases that eventually would provide 70 residential units (the first phase would include 10 duplexes, or 20 for-sale units). Eligible Brownfield activities were presented at $5,176,149. Staff also noted preliminary discussions with the Southtown Corridor Improvement Authority about capture-sharing; the authority has not made a final determination. Project representatives said the Brownfield Redevelopment Authority had approved an emerging-developer grant of $171,225 at its January meeting. The commission referred the Brownfield plan to Committee of the Whole.

West Michigan Hispanic Chamber headquarters (Godfrey Avenue): Project presenters described a proposed two-story, roughly 12,600-square-foot building to house the West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. The team presented a total development cost of about $9.3 million, said the project is expected to pursue LEED certification, and discussed Brownfield-eligible activities including demolition, site prep, public infrastructure and asbestos abatement. The inclusion plan lists aspirational subcontractor participation goals of 30% and a $40,000 allocation described for subcontractor professional services. The item was referred to Committee of the Whole.

Walker-area Brownfield amendment: Staff described an amendment to a 2016 Brownfield agreement (amended 2018) that enabled infrastructure investments across a larger, multi-parcel development (more than 200 acres) tied to private industrial development. The amendment presented at the hearing would reimburse an additional $90,400 in infrastructure expenses and extend the Brownfield term so reimbursements can continue through 2042 (a term extension of roughly 27 years in the presented materials). Staff said earlier investments at the site totaled $6.2 million and that the site has attracted substantial private investment and employment; after reimbursements, the land will revert to the city of Walker under the PA 4 25 land-share agreement provisions described on the record. The commission referred the amendment to Committee of the Whole.

Commissioners and staff repeatedly highlighted aspirational subcontractor participation goals (30% at several projects; 35% was noted for M Village), emerging-developer grants and coordination with corridor-improvement authorities as recurring themes. Members of project teams and community partners spoke in support of the projects during public comment periods; no final approvals were taken at the meeting — the items were all referred for additional committee review.

Commissioners said they want continued emphasis on inclusion plans and use of micro-local minority- and women-owned businesses when projects progress through committee and final approvals.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Commission Meeting - February 11, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The City Commission held public hearings on several Brownfield and development projects — including a Wealthy Street activation, M Village workforce housing, the West Michigan Hispanic Chamber headquarters and a Walker-area infrastructure amendment — and sent each to committee for further review.","taxTitle","Grand Rapids City, Kent County, Michigan","taxId",3704,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6324235,"Commission approves $65,000 settlement in Buchanan v. Weis after executive-session review",128,1384000,1512000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2339182-fa54c1006b5bfdfb0e2b4e947202ac79&start=1384&end=1512","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2339182-fa54c1006b5bfdfb0e2b4e947202ac79/thumbnail_1384000.jpg","/articles/6324235/Grand-Rapids-City/Kent-County/Michigan/Commission-approves-65000-settlement-in-Buchanan-v-Weis-after-executive-session-review","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6324235-4f53787cc707163f55ec0842ca219722/orig.mp4?Expires=1771171844&Signature=FzHIaiwuu7334rpT6XlJ27N4P6P8Jl8Dhmn7oDen0D0-6ezb7fnrOVaHHlMf3VYUiLQbUZtfchNEWqda4Wv9mBVQyUxur3yP9JJhWlHHRO1s6-SzwAGK0U2xodC3smc1z0kzn~iUaLSWqCXoH~-UilUIi0gw~3qgzPZk3Q~gVHRCv8NZObBJKyLhJLlbDKlITWkYvkA7s0FCmg87A4ZU5i3Tzf0OpUhj0aX8a9dGCK09b89Is0EO0F91IrIhGWO~a6v7fqaIpnHu6xhWqXoHuzURF8~jHOwXSkle~y358nfdW9AnXL5ZZn7uQUN1QG0CowAtbZZOJEhMTWkZnf~N5A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Grand Rapids City Commission voted to approve a $65,000 settlement tied to the federal lawsuit Abdul Buchanan v. Todd Weis and City of Grand Rapids after discussing the matter in executive session and temporarily suspending the usual rules to consider the settlement.

Commissioners moved to suspend the rules to consider the matter in open session. City staff identified the lawsuit and said the recommendation was to settle all claims related to the case for $65,000. The commission then took a roll-call vote to approve the settlement.

The clerk recorded the roll-call on the settlement approval as: Commissioner Robbins — yes; Commissioner Perdue — yes; Commissioner Knight — yes; Commissioner Belchak — yes; Commissioner Kilgore — yes; Commissioner Assasi — yes; Mayor LeGrand — yes. The measure passed by recorded vote.

The commission did not discuss details of the executive-session deliberation on the public record beyond confirming that the settlement recommendation had been made to resolve the matter. No additional fiscal appropriation beyond the settlement amount was specified at the meeting.

City staff will work with the city attorney to finalize settlement paperwork and complete any steps needed to close the case.","The Grand Rapids City Commission suspended rules, exited executive session and approved a $65,000 settlement recommended by staff in the federal case Abdul Buchanan v. Todd Weis and City of Grand Rapids.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6324238,"Grand Rapids commission adopts 2025 legislative agenda after debate over \"constitutionality\" language",194,1166000,1360000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2339182-fa54c1006b5bfdfb0e2b4e947202ac79&start=1166&end=1360","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2339182-fa54c1006b5bfdfb0e2b4e947202ac79/thumbnail_1166000.jpg","/articles/6324238/Grand-Rapids-City/Kent-County/Michigan/Grand-Rapids-commission-adopts-2025-legislative-agenda-after-debate-over-constitutionality-language","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6324238-916790cd679a44327c893893cb1570f0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771171844&Signature=WkOM~TKOWkSqetT2VQ5ufelUbZeMzZTSZN-FU9komTDYfiHKDcs28BvL1mXvoVIkbM0Cttin~YM0KwBfg9xDCFisOeX7qtbRdqx6PBDEeMdfW4JRgzlwqjDNDu1iNhKkSUsrQTBMjy308lJoEqEr-8p4eMPIRzzP68h8p5VhowNfV3yOMj0U3214A53yYqJt3fE0uxB4UKx7~TSwK0fvR-MZ2kiGEhcAW~UEb-txnoOX5XK4GsnEEuCNdXBomNcwXVNo3RlLGQsS1S4GNyx-jYH5lh3BwbCyf4PY3iwow~ulaXVnX~dZEdTSoJrXFHK69DM2~5ibGhL3Ug5XyJ1h4A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Grand Rapids City Commission on Feb. 24 approved its 2025 legislative agenda after a debate over language tying the agenda to constitutional protections.

The resolution sets the city’s priorities for state and federal advocacy and emphasizes Grand Rapids’ goals to be an equitable, welcoming and innovative city. The resolution passed in a roll-call vote after members debated two amendments and language meant to align the agenda with the city’s Welcome Plan and immigrant-access priorities.

Commissioners discussed two amendments that the legislative committee had advanced to clarify how the city’s priorities relate to access and civic participation for residents of different immigration statuses and to harmonize the agenda with the Welcome Plan.

Commissioner Robbins, who voted against the resolution, said she opposed language that could be read as the city asserting it can determine constitutionality. \"I take the Constitution very seriously,\" Robbins said during debate. \"I don't want to give the impression that the city is the determinant of what is constitutional or unconstitutional, and I don't want to put the city in a position that could make us liable.\" The rest of the commission voted to adopt the agenda.

The clerk recorded the roll-call vote as: Commissioner Kilgore — yes; Commissioner Assasi — yes; Commissioner Robbins — no; Commissioner Perdue — yes; Commissioner Knight — yes; Commissioner Belchak — yes; Mayor LeGrand — yes. The measure therefore passed.

The legislative agenda is intended to prioritize items for city staff and external advocates and guide the city’s positions at the state and federal level. Commissioners said the document helps external partners understand where Grand Rapids will concentrate its advocacy in 2025.

The commission referred the adopted agenda to appropriate staff and to its legislative committee for any next steps.

Minority and inclusion goals that staff described as part of other agenda items in the meeting (for development projects and Brownfield plans) were not changed by this vote and remain separate from the legislative priorities adopted by the commission.

The city clerk will publish the adopted 2025 legislative agenda on the city website and make the document available to partner organizations and legislative contacts.","The Grand Rapids City Commission approved its 2025 legislative priorities after a discussion about language referencing constitutionality that prompted one dissenting vote in a roll-call.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":80,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6324225,"Votes at a glance: minutes, consent agenda, legislative agenda and settlement approved",516,996000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2339182-fa54c1006b5bfdfb0e2b4e947202ac79&start=996&end=1512","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2339182-fa54c1006b5bfdfb0e2b4e947202ac79/thumbnail_996000.jpg","/articles/6324225/Grand-Rapids-City/Kent-County/Michigan/Votes-at-a-glance-minutes-consent-agenda-legislative-agenda-and-settlement-approved","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6324225-e0d28119ff15ee7409526aa0e4164f88/orig.mp4?Expires=1771171844&Signature=CivOnfW9Fsodab-ahdWzdS~r2R1rXHatHBjVo1n76Q6GeVYj5mRIEYTdc8TaFdbHmAt8TBhgeX9~VskFJ1H2hCrdGN~LffmH5vg~lk4zHhOQrNSAjtVzqrJke-zrRtCwJUpQIWql~1mGXEFSVD3ztCkGDJrcJ9x~5TFgZU~VdwZHblQ7Oocfg8~WnqfS3NZlBBuDf~K3r71KrO76X4ri9KizdKW7gwkjvTUPuXKjfwTaYU59cSIA~waPjLJ2POoX4Sf7pw~-8JFygEuahuFyaTFJF3oqt7DwFjiOdjsW~K6V~5qn42qd65WEvqAea509SvCoHTLwWBjmkM8VjPA2yA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Grand Rapids City Commission recorded the following actions and votes on Feb. 24.

Minutes and consent agenda
- Motion to approve the minutes from Jan. 28 — Passed by voice vote.
- Consent agenda — Passed by voice vote; one item was pulled (the legislative priority agenda) for separate consideration.

Communications and reports
- Communications received (examples recorded in the meeting): 1,551 communications urging sanctuary-city action; communications concerning the 427 Market Avenue option agreement; resignation letter from Kyle Campbell to the Board of Review — received and referred as noted on the record.
- Comptroller's warrant received and filed: $33,719,544.42 for period 01/14/2025 through 01/27/2025.
- Treasurer's report for 01/10/2025 through 01/27/2025 — received and filed.

Legislative agenda (roll-call)
- Motion: Approve the 2025 legislative priorities as amended. Roll-call recorded: Kilgore — yes; Assasi — yes; Robbins — no; Perdue — yes; Knight — yes; Belchak — yes; Mayor LeGrand — yes. Outcome: approved.

Settlement (roll-call)
- Motion: Approve settlement of the federal case Buchanan v. Weis and City of Grand Rapids in the amount of $65,000 (following executive-session review). Roll-call recorded: Robbins — yes; Perdue — yes; Knight — yes; Belchak — yes; Kilgore — yes; Assasi — yes; Mayor LeGrand — yes. Outcome: approved.

Other procedural actions
- Multiple public hearings (development and Brownfield items) were held and each was referred to the Committee of the Whole for additional review; no final project approvals were taken at this meeting.

This summary reflects votes and formal actions as announced on the public record during the Feb. 24 meeting.","Key votes taken by the Grand Rapids City Commission on Feb. 24, including approval of minutes, the consent agenda, adoption of the legislative agenda and approval of a $65,000 settlement.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commission hears several Brownfield and development proposals, refers projects to Committee of the Whole

Commission approves $65,000 settlement in Buchanan v. Weis after executive-session review

Grand Rapids commission adopts 2025 legislative agenda after debate over "constitutionality" language

Votes at a glance: minutes, consent agenda, legislative agenda and settlement approved