17November2008
Posted by kello under: In the News; Neighborhood Improvement; Public Safety.
Please join your neighbors and other interested stakeholders as we share with Grand Rapids Public Schools (GRPS) our thoughts about the planned improvements for Houseman Field. The top 4 Construction Managers and the top 4 Architectural & Engineering firms have been chosen, and are scheduled for interviews Nov 20 and 21. Once the “winner” is determined, a Community Input Session will be held for Midtown residents. This input session will likely be the only scheduled pre-design meeting with GRPS staff. If you have a particular interest in seeing something stay, or something go from the Houseman Field site this will be your chance to provide interested parties with your .02cents.
While there has been much discussion about the historic nature of the out-buildings; the safety features lacking for the athletes and the like, the subject of relocating the playground from the south-west corner of the property to possibly Midtown Green Park has recently been mentioned. How would this move effect neighbors who use the park now? How would this move effect the children who play at the playground now? Either way, the subject deserves discussion. Although the entire Houseman Field facility will be off-limits over the winter and spring of 2009, as demolitiion will begin as immediately as possible, we must discuss this issue and others now. The newly renovated/improved field is scheduled to be complete by July 31, 2009. That’s right around the corner.
We plan to have this meeting on November 24th at 7pm at the Salvation Army upper level library, located at FUller & Fulton. (south-east corner of the complex) Please, by all means, pencil in the date and time on your calendar and plan to meet us to discuss this important topic.
17November2008
Posted by kello under: Public Safety.
Residents of the 0 block of Mack Avenue NE, between Fulton and Fountain streets, are invited to join Community Police Officer Dan Myers and Midtown Community Organizer Kelly Otto at 42 Mack NE at 7:00pm. Neighbors will get to not only meet their Community Police Officer but will also get to meet with one another and learn more about keeping their block safe and secure.
4November2008
Posted by kello under: Uncategorized.
Title: East Fulton Business Association
Location: Green Life Market
Description: East Fulton Business owners and operators are invited to attend this meeting to keep informed of district happenings
Start Time: 8:30am
Date: 2008-11-26
End Time: 9:45am
4November2008
Posted by kello under: Uncategorized.
Title: Ashby Row Block Club Meeting
Location: call office for location
Description: neighbors living on the 600 blocks of lyon, innes, crescent and the 300 blocks of benson and grand ne are invited to meet with other \”Ashby Row\” neighbors
Start Time: 6:30pm
Date: 2008-11-18
End Time: 7:30pm
4November2008
Posted by kello under: Uncategorized.
Title: VOTE
Date: 2008-11-04
3November2008
Posted by kello under: In the News.
Following a very informative meeting with City of Grand Rapids Community Development staff and other neighborhood associations this afternoon, November 3rd, it was brought to our attention that GR neighborhood associations should plan to see their funding reduced by up to 15%! This announcement was made after budgets for the fiscal 09′ year were reviewed. Community Development Block Grant and Justice Assistance Grant funds, which in the past have been used to help fund neighborhood associations and other non-profits, are being reduced at the Federal level….which naturally means a tightening-of-the-belt at the local level.
While here at Midtown we are pleased that there will still be funding even at a reduced level we are planning to meet soon to discuss options for how to further trim our operating & staff budgets in order to continue to best serve the neighborhood & it’s residents while being finacially responsible.
If you have an interest in assisting with complimentary/alternative options for association funding such as membership donations, grant writing and/or other fundraising efforts, please contact Midtowns office by calling 616-732-9191 or by e-mailing our staff at midtownmi@yahoo.com
3November2008
Posted by kello under: In the News; Neighborhood Improvement.
As you might have seen on TV or read about in the GR Press, Grand Rapids Public Schools is set to do +/-$5.5 million in improvements to Houseman Field beginning in April 2009 and finishing up by July 2009. Suggestions from neighbors and other interested stakeholders are being solicited NOW so that input from a broad range of perspectives can be gathered. Planning for improvements, whatever they may be, is turning out to be a quicker than expected process and meetings to begin preparations begin November 6th. If you have something you would like to see retained, added or simply maintained at Houseman Field, please contact our office via e-mail, midtownmi@yahoo.com, to get your suggestions added to the growing list. Midtown staff, Kelly Otto, will create an updated list of suggestions which will be provided to GRPS staff every Wednesday in order ensure timely and accurate input.
28October2008
Posted by kello under: In the News; Neighborhood Improvement.
Midtown Neighborhood Association, as a partner in the Foreclosure Repsonse Team here in Grand Rapids, will be hosting a meeting for neighbors regarding Foreclosure. We have invited Kym Spring, the staff person for the Foreclosure Response Team. We have also collected helpful information from Home Repair Services to better assist residents in avoiding foreclosure.
This meeting is open to all Midtown residents.
Please join us at 7:00pm on December 2nd, 2008 at the Salvation Army Fulton Heights Citadel, upper level Library for this important meeting.
28October2008
Posted by kello under: Neighborhood Improvement.
Title: 0 Block Diamond Owner Occupant Meeting
Location: Common Ground Coffee Shop
Description: Meeting for owner-occupants of homes on the 0 block of Diamond NE.
Start Time: 5:30pm
Date: 2008-11-11
End Time: 6:30pm
15October2008
Posted by kello under: Neighborhood Improvement.
Title: 0 Block Diamond Landlord Meeting
Location: Common Ground Coffee Shop
Description: Meeting for absentee property owners of homes on the 0 block of Diamond NE.
Start Time: 5:30pm
Date: 2008-10-28
End Time: 6:30pm