2009 Promising Projects — Encouraging Civic Progress

Named for its historic location, Cross Village Rug Works plans to help reinvigorate the area economy with the launch a not-for-profit retail outlet featuring the work of local, low-income artisans. Operating from 3,200 square feet of donated space twenty miles north of Harbor Springs, Cross Village Rug Works will provide the training needed by unemployed and underemployed area residents to create high-quality, hand crafted floor coverings. The products will be displayed and sold through a tourist-heavy retail location with proceeds directed towards the long-term sustainability of the agency.

The Grand Action Foundation (Grand Action) received support to develop a master plan for pedestrian access to Crescent Park and the Medical Mile. The scope of the project includes the route extending west from Crescent Park and through the Calder Plaza and DeVos Place to the Grand River, and the route along Bostwick Street extending south from Crescent Park to Lyon including exterior spaces up to the edges of existing Grand Rapids Community College buildings. Led by a local landscape architectural firm, the master plan will consist of a comprehensive architectural design process.

At the conclusion of the study, Grand Action expects to have recommendations for improved walkability, beauty enhancing landscape, traffic calming, street treatments, and strategies for phased implementation.