On Dec. 11 the Grand Rapids Planning Commission approved a request to establish a childcare center and an after‑school youth center in a combined commercial building at 1014 and 1024 Martin Luther King Jr. Street SE, with conditions including a minimum 6‑foot opaque fence around the proposed playground.

Avery (planning staff) said the site combines two properties into an internally connected facility totaling just under 6,000 square feet. The west portion will house a childcare center with two classrooms and the east portion will operate as a youth center. Staff reported a required parking total of 13 spaces versus 9 shown on the plan (deficit 4), and explained that reductions could be justified by available on‑street parking and proximity to a rapid bus stop within a quarter mile.

Emma Wilkins of Sella Building Company and developer Latrice Hampton described outreach to neighborhood groups and safety measures including an entry vestibule, staff‑controlled entry system, and a proposed six‑foot fence for the playground. "Nobody will be able to enter the building unless one of Latrice's staff members lets them into the building," Wilkins said. Hampton, who operates a childcare in Kalamazoo and has 25 years of experience, said the site will include two Great Start readiness classrooms that end at 3:30 p.m., with overall operating hours potentially up to 7 p.m.

Mobile GR staff confirmed bike rack locations (two spaces) and said the proposal did not trigger a full traffic study; staff would request a trip generation letter only when needed. Baxter Neighborhood Association submitted a letter of opposition earlier that morning asking the commission to postpone the matter to allow more conversation; commissioners encouraged continued engagement though several said lack of additional outreach alone would not be a code‑mandated reason to deny the application.

An unidentified commissioner moved to approve the special land use and site plan review; the motion passed. Conditions include standard plan approvals and an explicit requirement that the playground area be enclosed with a minimum 6‑foot tall opaque fence; staff and the applicant will continue outreach with neighborhood organizations during permitting.

The approval is subject to required LUDS and building permits and will take effect according to standard post‑decision timelines.