Latest Grand Rapids Seeks Partner to Plan River North Riverfront Site
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GRAND RAPIDS, MI · WEST MICHIGAN EDITION · FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2026
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Grand Rapids Seeks Partner to Plan River North Riverfront Site

Published October 23, 2026 at 7:23 am | By Sasha V. Johnston, Staff Reporter

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GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Grand Rapids is looking for a developer to help decide what comes next for about 6.4 acres the city owns along the river north of downtown, among the largest public waterfront tracts still open for redevelopment.

Two riverside parcels at 1101 and 1165 Monroe are in the package, as is the building at 1120 Monroe that houses the city’s Development Center. The land includes the Coldbrook pumping station, built in 1911 to handle both water pumping and electric lighting and retired in 2022.

Under the city request, the chosen partner would spend 12 months on due diligence and a master plan covering environmental conditions, infrastructure, market demand and riverfront design. That partner would then hold a right of first refusal to buy the land. Responses are due Nov. 16.

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City goals call for dense, walkable mixed-use development averaging at least 40 homes per acre, with at least 20% of units affordable to households at or below the area median income. Buildings could reach five stories by right and up to seven under certain conditions.

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Section: More Grand Rapids MI business news

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Filed under: Grand Rapids MI Business News

Sasha V. Johnston
HEREGrandRapids · BUSINESS

Sasha is a staff reporter for HERE GrandRapids covering local news, community stories, and developments across Kent County. Sasha is committed to accurate, community-first journalism.

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