English Bulldog Puppies for Sale in Grand Rapids, MI

Grand Rapids, MI (October 7, 2024) – A motor vehicle accident reported in the Grand Rapids area sent an unknown number of people to area hospitals with injuries.

At around 11:55 a.m. on October 5, authorities were called to the scene of a motor vehicle accident on US Highway 131. The incident blocked multiple northbound lanes of the roadway near Pine Island Drive. Officials quickly closed the road to allow medics and authorities to address the situation. The injured received treatment at the scene before being taken to local hospitals. An investigation into the incident is now underway.

Our thoughts go out to everyone who has been negatively affected by this collision.

Auto Accidents in Michigan

A motor vehicle accident can have devastating effects, often leading to life-changing injuries for those involved. In Michigan alone, over 50,000 people are hospitalized each year due to car crashes. Unfortunately, many of these accidents could have been prevented. Too often, they occur because of drivers who are impaired by alcohol or drugs, distracted by their phones, or simply acting recklessly behind the wheel. When drivers make careless decisions, the consequences can be severe for others on the road, leading to injuries that can impact victims for the rest of their lives.

For many people involved in car accidents, the road to recovery is long and difficult. Some victims require weeks or even months of medical treatment to heal. In the most serious cases, individuals may be left permanently disabled and unable to work. These injuries not only cause physical pain but also bring significant emotional and financial stress. The unfortunate truth is that many people do not know what steps to take after an accident or how to move forward.

As a victim of a car accident, you have the right to seek compensation for your injuries and other losses. However, the legal process can be complicated, especially when you are trying to recover from such a traumatic experience. This is why working with a Grand Rapids car accident lawyer can be so beneficial. An experienced attorney can handle the legal complexities, allowing you to focus on your recovery while ensuring your rights are protected. They will fight to get you the fair compensation you deserve for your medical bills, lost wages, and other damages caused by the accident.

At Christopher Trainor & Associates, we understand just how overwhelming the aftermath of a car accident can be. Our team of personal injury lawyers is dedicated to helping victims navigate this difficult time. With over three decades of combined experience, we have the knowledge and ability to handle even the most challenging cases. We are committed to fighting for the rights of accident victims and helping them secure the compensation they are entitled to.

If you have been injured in a car accident caused by someone else’s negligence, do not wait to seek legal assistance. At Christopher Trainor & Associates, we offer free consultations to discuss your case and provide guidance on how to move forward. Our team is here to support you every step of the way, ensuring that your rights are protected and that you receive the maximum compensation for your losses. Contact us today at (248) 886-8650, and let us help you get back on track after your accident.

Note: Our firm utilized outside sources when creating this post. We have not independently verified the facts regarding this accident. If you find information that is incorrect, contact Christopher Trainor & Associates immediately so that we correct the post to reflect the most accurate information available about the accident. This post can be removed upon request.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this post is not intended to be legal or medical advice. The photograph used in this post was not taken at the actual accident scene. This post is not a solicitation for business.

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Financials can be a barrier for many students considering college. School leaders hope this program helps, all while bringing quality teachers back to Grand Rapids.

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GRAND RAPIDS, Michigan — A new program is helping future teachers reach their career goals—at no cost.

It's a collaborative project between Michigan State University and Grand Rapids Public Schools. Monday, they announced their first-ever 'Community Teachers Cohort.'

The pilot cohort includes 15 high school seniors. They were elected by their teachers for the program, through their academic success and their interest in the education field.

The objective of the program is to land students full-time teaching job offers at GRPS's Kindergarten through 12th grade schools.

Students who participate are dual-enrolled, taking their high school classes and getting college-level credits at MSU to get a head start.

After graduating high school, the 15 students can attend MSU for four years or enroll in Grand Rapids Community College and then transfer to MSU.

GRPS superintendent Leadriane Roby says the idea started with their teachers.

"There's always been a shortage in the state of Michigan in the last 10 to 15, years, and we wanted to make sure that we had a pathway for young people who were interested in education to go forward," she said.

Financials can be a barrier for many young people considering secondary education. Roby hopes this program helps change that, all while bringing quality teachers back to GRPS.

"If we can move that barrier, we provide a program that gives them that experience before they leave GRPS and then hopefully they go on to continue their education in teaching, and then come back to the district to make it full circle," she said.

Evelinn Duncan, a GRPS senior who's considering a job in teaching, is one of those 15 students enrolled. She someday hopes to teach at the same elementary school she went to.

"This program has helped me with the like stress of, 'how am I going to pay for college? How many scholarships do I have?' All that kind of stuff, so it's just taking a big weight off my shoulders," she said.

Jerlando Jackson, Dean of the College of Education at MSU, was at the ceremony announcement Monday afternoon.

"Our goal is to assist the state with our teacher shortage, and programs like this could be specifically targeted in school districts. It's a model, I think a very innovative model, that allows communities to take ownership of who their teachers will be," he said.

Jackson says MSU hopes to take the program to school districts across the state in the future to fill an ever-important need—all while helping students find their passion.

"There's a joy in teaching, and what we're trying to do is instill that joy and let our newest aspiring teachers kind of bring that forward," said Roby.

For more information about the MSU Grand Rapids Community Teachers initiative, view this video and contact Mandy Robbins, head school counselor at Innovation Central High School, at 616-819-3340 or robbinsm@grps.org.

Oct. 7, 2024

Michigan State University and Grand Rapids Public Schools, or GRPS, will launch the inaugural Community Teachers cohort in October 2024. The initiative will help future educators start their careers sooner and will culminate in full-time teaching job offers in a GRPS K-12 school upon program completion.

Fifteen students are in the pilot cohort. They can complete the program — and become a teacher — at no cost to them thanks to a gift from a private donor.

“We want to reach high schoolers who care about high-quality teaching and have a commitment to those in the community in which they live,” said Gail Richmond, director of MSU’s Teacher Preparation Program and one of the leaders of the Community Teachers initiative. “This program is intended to reduce the financial barriers to getting a teaching degree and certification.”

The cohort’s high school seniors throughout GRPS are dual enrolled at MSU, taking entry-level courses. Upon high school graduation, the 15 students can attend MSU for four years or enroll in Grand Rapids Community College and then transfer to MSU. While in MSU’s Teacher Preparation Program, participants will intern in GRPS.

“As educators, we strive to cultivate the seeds of knowledge within our community,” said Leadriane Roby, superintendent of schools for GRPS. “This program serves as the fertile ground, nurturing aspiring teachers from Grand Rapids, shaping them into the future stewards of education for Grand Rapids Public Schools. Together, we’re not just growing teachers, we’re nurturing the roots of our community’s educational legacy.”

The GRPS partnership is, ideally, just the beginning of Community Teachers, according to MSU leaders.

“This inaugural GRPS cohort is serving as a pilot model for planned and hoped-for collaborations across Michigan,” said Kimberly Arsenault, MSU associate professor and Grand Rapids-area program director for the Community Teachers initiative.

She noted that several other school districts around the Grand Rapids area are invested in the initiative and are working through initial steps to formalize establishing cohorts in those districts.

“This important initiative can continue, in GRPS and beyond, through continued partnerships and philanthropic support,” Arsenault added.

The collaboration aligns with complementary MSU and statewide initiatives to address teacher recruitment challenges. For example, MSU’s Teacher Preparation Program moved from a five- to a four-year model, saving students more than $16,000 in tuition and preparing teachers faster. The Michigan Future Educator Stipend, offered by the Michigan Department of Treasury, also supports students pursuing teaching careers.

GRPS students in the pilot cohort have already started work in MSU classes and, even though they are still early into the programming, they can see results and have hope for the future.

“TE 101 [an introductory course on teacher education] taught me in-depth societal history I was unaware of,” said GRPS student Barrett Vernon. “More people should be taking advantage of the Community Teachers opportunity.”

For more information about the MSU Grand Rapids Community Teachers initiative, view this video and contact Mandy Robbins, head school counselor at Innovation Central High School, at 616-819-3340 or robbinsm@grps.org.

By: Lauren Knapp

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GRAND RAPIDS, MI — As the city of Grand Rapids considers a $544 million Transformational Brownfield subsidy for a massive, mixed-use riverfront development, one group of residents is asking for a bigger investment in low-income housing.

Members of Together West Michigan, which advocates for issues such as affordable housing and access to childcare, say they would like to see the $738 million project invest more than $8.5 million in the city’s affordable housing fund.

The affordable housing investment is a condition of receiving the maximum subsidy under the Transformational Brownfield program.

RELATED: As Grand Rapids eyes big downtown investments, residents push for more affordable housing

Here’s what to know about the project, how the Transformational Brownfield subsidy works, and why residents want to see a bigger affordable housing investment.

What’s proposed?

A roughly seven-acre, riverfront parking lot in the heart of downtown Grand Rapids could be transformed into a vibrant, mixed-use development with three high-rise towers containing up to 671 high-end apartments and condos, a hotel, office tower and retail.

The vision is being proposed by Fulmar Property Holdings, a company comprised of members of the DeVos and Van Andel families. The families own the 500-space parking lot at the corner of Fulton Street and Market Avenue, just north of Acrisure Amphitheater, where the project would be built.

Rental rates haven’t been set, but the units are expected to be priced at 150% of Kent County’s Area Median Income.

For a studio apartment, that would be $2,643 per month, $2,833 for a one-bedroom, and $3,401 for a two-bedroom, according to data maintained by the Michigan State Housing Development Authority.

The development would also include 2,500 parking spaces.

RELATED: 5 things to know about the massive, skyline changing Grand Rapids riverfront project

How does the Transformational Brownfield subsidy work?

Fulmar Property Holdings is seeking a $544 million Transformational Brownfield Plan for the project.

While the public subsidy is big, it’s not an upfront cash handout to the developer.

Rather, it would provide Fulmar Property Holdings with a host of state and local taxes, generated because of the development, over a 30-year period. If the development doesn’t occur and no tax revenue is generated, no payments are made to the developer.

Project officials say the project isn’t feasible without the subsidy because high-rise towers are very expensive to build, and the amount a developer can charge for rent isn’t high enough to cover the cost of constructing the building. The site itself is also challenging and pricy to build on because of its proximity to the river and the condition of the soil, officials say.

Residents want a bigger affordable housing commitment

During a recent city meeting, residents from Together West Michigan said the project should include a bigger commitment for affordable housing.

To receive the maximum subsidy under the Transformational Brownfield Plan, the projects developers must reach an affordable housing agreement with the city of Grand Rapids.

Fulmar Property Holdings is proposing an $8.5 million contribution to the Affordable Housing Fund rather than reserving any of its units at rates affordable for low-income residents. Project officials say they city can create 5.6 times as many affordable units off-site as compared to reserving units on-site for low-income residents.

One member of Together West Michigan said the $8.5 million affordable housing contribution isn’t big enough.

“When you compare that to a $735 million project, this is a slap in the face,” Deb Van Duinen, 66, a retired teacher and member of Together West Michigan, said during a recent city meeting. “We can do better than that.”

RELATED: DeVos, Van Andel families plan massive ‘skyline defining’ project in Grand Rapids

City officials say they are evaluating the proposed $8.5 million contribution. Until that work is done, they won’t be able to say whether that’s an adequate contribution given the project’s size.

What’s next?

The project is scheduled to be considered by the city’s Brownfield Redevelopment Authority on Oct. 16.

It then must be considered by the Grand Rapids City Commission, followed by the Michigan Strategic Fund board. The Michigan Strategic Fund is the public fund arm of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.

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GRAND RAPIDS, MI — The vision for a reimagined riverfront in Grand Rapids is coming to life.

Construction is now underway on Acrisure Amphitheater, and plans are in motion to activate a nearby stretch of the Grand River with pedestrian trails, high-end housing, a hotel, offices, retail and more. Just west of the river, near the downtown YMCA, an 8,500-seat soccer stadium and more upscale housing is envisioned.

But there’s one thing you won’t find in the plans: on-site, low-income housing.

“At the heart of this conversation is the question of, ‘Who is the city for?’” said Cameron Conner, 28, an organizer with Together West Michigan, a group that advocates for issues like affordable housing. “Is it for the rich and famous who can afford these $2,000-a-month luxury condos in downtown? Or is it for people everywhere else across the city?”

RELATED: DeVos, Van Andel families plan massive ‘skyline defining’ project in Grand Rapids

The riverfront developments are part of a vision for the city’s Market Avenue corridor developed by Grand Action 2.0, a private economic development group, in partnership with city of Grand Rapids, Kent County, the DeVos and Van Andel families and others.

Together, the projects would represent about a $1.4 billion investment in the city.

Community leaders say the developments would help achieve a host of goals, including adding more downtown housing, activating the riverfront and providing more arts, cultural and recreational activities. The investments also seek to make Grand Rapids a vibrant community that’s attractive to new families and businesses.

However, if completed, the new developments and other planned housing are expected to push Grand Rapids below a 2015 goal of maintaining 30% of its downtown housing for residents earning below $84,600. And while there’s significant demand for housing at all price points in Grand Rapids, including upscale market-rate units, some residents have concerns.

“We would lobby for a much higher level of funding for affordable housing, which is a much louder crying need than riverfront development for high-end tenants,” said Glenn Swier, 69, a retired social worker who lives in Grand Rapids.

Rather than making low-income housing available on-site, the developments — which are either seeking or have been approved for big public subsidies — could contribute millions to the city’s affordable housing fund or reserve 20% of their units for residents earning up to $70,500.

RELATED: 3 Michigan cities among most competitive rental markets in the country

What’s proposed downtown?

The riverfront development consists of two mixed-use projects proposed by Grand Action 2.0 and Fulmar Property Holdings, a company comprised of members of the DeVos and Van Andel families.

Together, the developments would create about 1,406 high-end apartments and condos, as well as a hotel, office building, retail space, 2,500 parking spaces and more. Those project elements would be housed in five, mixed-use high-rise towers.

Rental rates for the units haven’t been finalized, but they could range from $1,762 for a studio to $3,401 for a two-bedroom.

Public subsidies, through the state’s Transformational Brownfield Plan, would be used for both developments.

That program reimburses a developer for eligible construction costs over a 30-year period with a host of state and local tax revenue generated because of the development. If the development doesn’t occur and no tax revenue is generated, no money is provided to the developer.

To get the maximum public subsidy — $544 million for Fulmar Property Holdings and $252 million for Grand Action 2.0 — each project must have an affordable housing agreement with the city of Grand Rapids.

As of now, neither would reserve units for low-income housing.

Rather, Grand Action’s agreement would set aside 20% of its 735 apartments for residents earning 100% of Kent County’s area median income. That translates to $70,500 for a one-person household and $80,600 for a two-person household.

Those units would rent for $1,762 for a studio to $2,267 for a two-bedroom.

Grand Action could also satisfy the agreement by making an $8.4 million payment to the city’s Affordable Housing Fund over two decades. Those dollars could be used to build affordable housing anywhere in Grand Rapids.

For its affordable housing agreement, Fulmar Property Holdings, whose $738 million project includes up to 671 high-end housing units, would make an $8.5 million payment to the city’s Affordable Housing Fund over 20 years.

Project officials say they could build about 5.6 times more affordable units by contributing to the affordable housing fund, rather than attempting to preserve on-site apartments for low-income residents. Fulmar’s Transformational Brownfield request has been proposed but not yet approved by the city.

Residents want more low-income housing

One resident said Fulmar’s affordable housing contribution should be bigger.

“When you compare that to a $735 million project, this is a slap in the face,” Deb Van Duinen, 66, a retired teacher and member of Together West Michigan, said during a recent city meeting. “We can do better than that.”

Before the city approves the Fulmar Property Holdings subsidy request, there should be a “robust public conversation that is very clear on how this development is part of a grand vision for the whole city and why this opportunity cost is worth paying,” she added.

Grand Rapids Economic Development Director Sarah Rainero said city staff are evaluating the proposed affordable housing agreement with Fulmar Property Holdings. Until that work is complete, it’s too soon to say whether the size of the contribution is adequate, she said.

“Right now, we’re in the thick of just evaluating it,” she said.

City staff said they have not created a formula for what constitutes an adequate affordable housing agreement through the Transformational Brownfield program. Rather, each project is evaluated individually based upon financial details such as the project’s cost, the rate of return on the investment, and more.

“You need to keep that flexibility because every development’s financial picture is different, “said Grand Rapids Deputy City Manager Kate Berens.

She said the city’s goal is to strike a balance between maximizing the affordable housing investment while still making a developer’s project financially feasible.

While none of the apartments and condos would be reserved for low-income residents, the units would help meet a big demand for market-rate housing, advocates say.

A 2022 study by Bowen National Research, commissioned by Housing Next, estimated Grand Rapids needs 7,951 rental units by 2027 to keep up with demand.

The biggest chunk of that demand, 28%, is for market rate units serving residents earning $84,600 and up, the study says.

“There’s an incredible demand at all price points,” said Brooke Oosterman, executive director of Housing Next, an organization that supports the creation of new housing in Kent and Ottawa counties. “When we look at our housing needs assessment, we recognize that there’s housing needed at market rate, middle income and deeper levels of affordability.”

Milinda Ysasi, who sits on the Grand Rapids City Commission, said she would like to see low-income housing incorporated into developments across the entire city. However, she noted “different properties of land have different values.”

“A center city property is going to be inherently more expensive,” she said, referring to property at Fulton Street and Market Avenue where one of the developments is planned. “So, I think it’s our job to look at all of our investments and to say, ‘How do we connect people to all parts of our community?’”

She noted that includes city investments in free downtown-area shuttles and other transportation methods such as e-scooters and e-bikes.

RELATED: Free e-scooter, e-bike rides offered to some Grand Rapids residents

“Those are going to be the things that help us to equalize things, and to make sure no matter if you live in the 3rd Ward, the 2nd Ward or 1st Ward, you’re going to be able to experience the activities that are happening downtown,” Ysasi said.

New units would tip balance of downtown housing

If all the new market-rate units are built, the percentage of downtown housing serving lower-income residents would fall below a goal outlined in GR Forward, the 2015 master plan for downtown Grand Rapids.

That goal says 30% of the downtown housing supply should be maintained for residents earning below 120% of Kent County’s area median income. For a two-person household, that’s an annual, pre-tax income of $96,720, according to state data. It would total $84,600 for a one-person household.

The new housing would reduce the percentage of downtown housing serving that group to 25%, said Bill Kirk, a spokesperson for Downtown Grand Rapids Inc., which coordinates downtown development.

RELATED: 5 things to know about the massive, skyline changing Grand Rapids riverfront project

“With the number of housing units downtown poised to increase from just under 5,000 to over 7,000 with projects planned or currently under construction, it will be important to prioritize affordability where possible in the future,” he said. “That said, with the amount of development adjacent to downtown that includes plans for affordable units and new tools like the city’s affordable housing fund, we’re hopeful that we can stay near the 30% goal.”

While the new housing currently planned near the riverfront and soccer stadium is market rate, Rainero, the city’s economic development director, said there could be additional spinoff housing built near the river in the future.

No plans have been made, currently.

But in March 2022, when the amphitheater and riverfront development were still conceptual, former Deputy City Manager Eric DeLong said city-owned property south of the amphitheater at 509 Wealthy St. SW could one day be developed into low-income housing.

“We think that’s a great spot for, potentially, a low-income housing tax credit investment,” he said. DeLong noted there is “already interest” in those “same kind of investments” along Market Avenue SW south of Wealthy Street SW.

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