The Division Avenue Revitalization Charrette will focus on the area that includes a three mile stretch of Division Avenue, bounded on the North by 36th Street, on the South by 60th Street, on the East by Jefferson Avenue, and on the West by US-131. The study area includes the commercial frontage and surrounding residential uses along Division Avenue.  Current conditions include vacant storefronts, outdated parking facilities, limited landscaping, and low to moderate income housing. ”Historically, the Division Avenue corridor was the primary commercial corridor south of Grand Rapids. The nearby residential area has maintained its purpose in providing modest housing serving an ethnically diverse population. If Division Avenue declines, it will have a corresponding impact on the livability of the surrounding neighborhoods. This in turn would have a corresponding negative effect on the area schools“, explains Lisa Golder, Economic Development Planner for the City of Kentwood.  ”New housing and commercial redevelopment in the area will have a positive impact on the business community as well as the schools, and will lessen the demand for housing in the outlying areas of Grand Rapids. The accessibility created by proposed transit hubs will allow people of all incomes and capabilities the opportunity to live in an urban environment, with access to suburban amenities such as shopping, employment and cultural resources. Housing with access to other modes of transportation will lessen congestion on area roadways Wyoming and Kentwood desire to revitalize this corridor with redevelopment of commercial properties for residential and commercial purposes; there is a desire to develop a coordinated vision“.  The charrette will allow planning for transit hubs to serve existing and planned higher density developments.  The revitalized commercial areas will promote convenience and walkability to attract residential customers.  The coordinated vision provided by the charrette will assist cities in applying for grants or establishing a work plan for a possible corridor improvement authority. 

First Name

Lisa

Last Name

Golder

Professional Title

Economic Development Planner

Municipality

City of Kentwood

Address

4900 Breton Avenue

City

Kebtwood

County

Kent

State

Michigan

Zip Code

49518-8848

Phone

(616) 554-0709

Email

golderl@ci.kentwood.mi.us

Charrette Title

Division Avenue Revitalization

Geographic Area

The area includes a three mile stretch of Division Avenue, bounded on the North by 36th Street, South by 60th Street, East by Jefferson Avenue and West by Buchanan Avenue. The study area includes the commercial frontage of Division Avenue, and the residential uses surrounding Division. Buck Creek and its watershed, and other drainageways intersect Division within the study area. Several major arterial streets (28th, 36th, 44th, 54th and 60th Streets) intersect Division Avenue. All these arterial streets, except 60th have direct access to US-131. Several schools and parks exist along the corridor.

Summary

This section of Division Avenue was primarily developed over a period of 70 years. The five-lane road has a wide variety of commercial uses, including used cars, trailers and RV sales, automotive-related uses, and general retailers, as well as pawn shops, second hand stores, and cash advance stores. As new big box retailers and shopping malls have developed in the area, demand for the retail uses on Division has decreased, and the support of retailers by area residents and drive-by traffic has diminished. The Division Corridor has vacant, outdated stores and parking facilities. Some areas have no landscaping. Division’s image is impacted by issues in the City of Grand Rapids. A majority of the households in census block groups along the corridor qualify as low and moderate income households. The area is transitioning with Asian businesses and owners. The Kelloggsville and Godwin School Districts have primary facilities along the corridor.

Community Issues

The Wyoming/Kentwood community desires to revitalize this corridor with redevelopment of commercial properties for residential and commercial purposes. Both communities have completed master plans within the last several years as well as market analyses of the area. There is a desire to develop a coordinated vision for both communities. Access to a variety of transportation modes will be critical. There is a new initiative by the ITP to bring bus rapid transit as well as trolley service to the Division Avenue corridor. The charrette will allow planning for transit hubs to serve existing and the planned higher density developments envisioned in both communities. The revitalized commercial areas will promote convenience and walkability to attract nearby existing and proposed residential customers. The coordinated vision will assist the communities in applying for grants or establishing a work plan for a possible corridor improvement authority in the area.

Interface

Instrumental in endorsing and encouraging the redevelopment program will be the Division Avenue Business Association (DABA). The ITP is partnering with Wyoming, Kentwood, and the City of Grand Rapids to promote its initiative to bring bus rapid transit to the area. The corridor impacts the Godwin and Kelloggsville School Districts and two major school facilities are located along the corridor. Information on the project could be sent through the schools, to area businesses, and on the cities’ websites. The project would have support of the City Commissions of both Kentwood and Wyoming. The Kentwood EDC and Wyoming/Kentwood area Chamber of Commerce would participate in the charrette initiative. In addition, Planning Commissioners from both municipalities would be invited to take part in the process. State and local housing authorities may also be involved in locating affordable housing near the transit hubs.

Community Benefit

Historically, the Division Avenue corridor was the primary commercial corridor south of Grand Rapids. The nearby residential area has maintained its purpose in providing modest housing serving an ethnically diverse population. If Division Avenue declines, it will have a corresponding impact on the livability of the surrounding neighborhoods. This in turn would have a corresponding negative effect on the area schools. However, new housing and commercial redevelopment in the area will have a positive impact on the business community as well as the schools, and will lessen the demand for housing in the outlying areas of Grand Rapids. The accessibility created by proposed transit hubs will allow people of all incomes and capabilities the opportunity to live in an urban environment, with access to suburban amenities such as shopping, employment and cultural resources. Housing with access to other modes of transportation will lessen congestion on area roadways.

Relate to Principles

1. The residential communities along Division Avenue have access to goods and services that are useful and necessary to area residents. Limited parking makes walkability or transit a necessity.

3. The communities’ master plans encourage mixed development—the charrette will allow a forum for property owners to understand the benefits of mixed use developments.

4. Division Avenue is an existing street which offers full utilities in most areas, is close to major arterial streets and is an existing/planned improved transit route.

5. The development of the bus rapid transit corridor will offer a service not available to residents in the GR area now. The new service will increase ridership and will be an attractive alternative to automobiles.

6&7. Division Avenue is home to businesses representing several cultures. The diversity of the area gives Division Avenue a unique character and provides opportunity for special events and promotions, creating neighborhood identity and community pride.

Sustainability

The charrette initiative will integrate social and economic sustainability to rejuvenate a distressed commercial corridor. This shall be accomplished though the preservation of viable buildings and land uses. In areas where redevelopment is recommended, the initiative will allow the municipalities to encourage the location of appropriate businesses and residential developments. The existing and proposed commercial development will benefit from the proposed bus rapid transit corridor, which will allow an alternative to automobile traffic into the downtown Grand Rapids area. Residential developments will also be preserved and enhanced by the bus rapid transit corridor. The integration of the social and economic aspects of the Division Avenue Revitalization is critical to the overall success of the redevelopment plan. Environmental concerns will be addressed through the extension of sewer lines where missing, improved storm water management, the retention of existing open space and enhanced streetscapes.

Juristictions

City of Kentwood

City of Wyoming

Interurban Transit Partnership (ITP)

Map

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