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Grand Rapids eyes vacant riverfront property for community redevelopment

Posted By: mlive on October 9, 2025.  For more information, please click here to read the source article.

A vacant riverfront building south of Riverside Park would be demolished and turned into a vibrant space with potential uses such as a community center, greenspace and housing if the city of Grand Rapids gets its way. The city is asking developers to submit proposals for how they would redevelop the 3.5-acre property, the former Naval & Marine Corps Reserve Center at 1863 Monroe Ave. NW, in partnership with the city.

“I think it’s an awesome opportunity,” said Grand Rapids Economic Development Director Sarah Raniero. “We’d really like to see it activated and have amenities for the public leveraged here.”

Raniero said the city has been eyeing the redevelopment of the property since the spring, when the U.S. General Services Administration, which manages federal properties, told the city it was looking to sell the site. The department offered the city the first opportunity to buy the property, which has been vacant for five years, for $4.9 million, she said. Raniero said the city has appraised the property for $500,000 less than that. She said the city has “engaged the feds to negotiate” on the sale price but hasn’t received an answer on whether they will budge. The city envisions partnering with a private firm to jointly redevelop the property.

Officials issued a request on Sept. 29 for developers to submit proposals laying out their vision for the property and the types of services and amenities they would offer at the site. The two-story building on the property would likely be demolished if a redevelopment occurs there. Raniero said city staff are aiming to craft by Nov. 18 an agreement that would give the city the option to purchase property. The agreement would go before the Grand Rapids City Commission for approval on that date.

“I think that there’s interest,” Raniero said of the feedback she’s received from the development community. However, she added, “I think the purchase price is tricky.”

Two residents who live near the building — its windows are boarded up and its exterior is surrounded by a tall, sturdy fence — said they were pleased it could be redeveloped.

“It’s definitely an eyesore, kind of a waste of space,” said Jenelle Dykstra, 42, who works in the food and beverage industry and lives across the street from the building. “We’d love to see more green (space) and use it for the community.”

Another neighbor, Steph Martin, said she’s “neutral” about the property’s current state.

“I don’t get excited about what’s across the street, but it’s quiet at least, and it doesn’t bother me,” said Martin, 37, a mother of four who works in human resources.

However, she said she’s “excited” the city is considering purchasing it, because it could be put to better use.

“I would love a community center, maybe an extension of Riverside Park in terms of basketball courts and pickleball courts and more activities,” Martin said. “I’m also really open to the idea of the business that could come in … I would be excited about coffee shops or some nice restaurants or small businesses.”

Raniero said the city solicited feedback from residents who live in the nearby Creston Neighborhood about what they would like to see at the site. They voiced support for a community center with space for the Creston Neighborhood Association, nonprofits, artists, and an event space, according to a city document. The city’s goals include expanding access to the river, adding neighborhood amenities for those using riverfront trails, and adding businesses and housing.

“Thanks to its location, the site also benefits from several ongoing initiatives that are enhancing non-motorized connections along the river, improving mobility between surrounding neighborhoods and downtown, and expanding recreational opportunities as part of the multi-county Grand River Greenway effort, an extensive trail network connecting Lowell and Grand Haven through downtown Grand Rapids,” city staff wrote.

Raniero said a partnership with a private developer could take several forms.

“We’re open to all scenarios,” she said. “So that could be developer owned and operated. It could be developer owned and city operated through a lease for a portion of spaces. You know, it could be city owned and leased. There could be variations of all of those.”