1. Creston Neighborhood Association
205 Carrier NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49505
CNA BOARD MEETING
Thursday, August 27 ∙ 6:30pm
call for location
CRESTON CAR SHOW
Saturday, September 12 ∙ 11am‐3pm
behind Sazerac Lounge (1418 Plainfield) Fall 2009
Community Calendar
CNA BOARD MEETING
Thursday, September 24 ∙ 6:30pm
CNA Offices (205 Carrier NE)
Double your money when you invest
KABOOM! BUILD DAY
Friday, September 25
in Creston’s neighborhood work
Sweet St. Playlot (at College) by Nicole Notario-Risk
call 454‐7900 to sign‐up to volunteer Now is the perfect time to join or renew first to receive e-news alerts about issues
as a member of the Creston Neighborhood and happenings in the neighborhood, along
HELLO NEIGHBOR MEMBERSHIP WALK
Association. The Dyer-Ives Foundation is with access to a Members-Only section of our
Saturday, October 3 ∙ 9am‐12pm
call 454‐7900 to sign‐up to volunteer
generously matching any memberships new website. Stay tuned!
this summer and fall meaning your $20
CNA ANNUAL MEETING We welcome resident and business
investment to support the neighborhood
Thursday, October 22 ∙ 7pm memberships for those who live or own a
turns into $40!
Palmer Elementary (309 Palmer NE) business in the neighborhood. We also offer
Membership dues help to support resident associate memberships for those who have a
and staff involvement in the improvement vested interest as friends, employees or
cna annual meeting of our Creston homes, parks, schools and parishioners here.
business districts. As public funding sources
continue to be reduced, memberships are
Please join your neighbors in strengthening
our community - fill out the form in the back
the key to our neighborhood association
of the newsletter and BECOME A MEMBER
becoming a self-supporting organization.
TODAY!
Your partnership is vital to
preserving, protecting and
revitalizing the many
things we love about our
neighborhood.
Benefits of membership
include receiving our quarterly
North End Connection
newsletter, a welcome packet
with a calendar of events, as
well as participation in
Photo: Tommy Allen, 2008
our Hello Neighbor events
october 22 ● 7pm
including pancake breakfasts,
spring perennial exchange,
Art Battle and Aberdeen
Palmer Elementary Celebration in the Park. In the
future, you will also be the
309 Palmer NE Members vote new board members in at the CNA annual meeting last October

2. Local Business Profile: Icon Sign
Creston Neighborhood Association
by Pete Tabberer accessible from 205 Carrier NE The Creston Neighborhood The North End Connection is
James Mikrut grew up in the Creston area. He downtown Grand 3 Leonard St. NE Association Board of Directors the newsletter of the Creston
Grand Rapids, MI 49505 Neighborhood Association,
and his wife Jenny still live in Creston today and Rapids. 616.726.7200 meets on the fourth Thursday of
616.454.7900 published 4 times a year.
when the opportunity presented itself they moved iconsigncompany.com most months. Meetings are open
When the Fax 616.454.8190 Circulation: 1000. Advertising
their business here too. to the public—contact our office space is available. Contact
Mikruts aquired www.crestongr.com for time and location. our office for rate information.
James graduated from Western Michigan the building, formerly Klunder Concrete, it had
University with a degree in Business and no interior walls or any windows. They began Office Hours
Advertising. After graduating he worked for a renovations in the fall of 2007 and the result is an Monday-Friday 10am-2pm Board of Directors Newsletter contributors:
Tommy Allen Nancy Allen, Tommy Allen,
sign company, but left and began Icon Sign after open, inviting facility complete with a roomy Mackenzie Brown, Carol Brugger,
Glenn Disosway (Treasurer)
concluding that he could do the job just as well workspace, a comfortable office area, windows, Candace Gavin (Secretary) Sue Capps, Kobie Davis,
The Creston Neighborhood
himself. Jenny joined him in the business in and even a tidy kitchenette. “It's perfect. Because Pastor Charles Geschiere Deborah Eid, Sara Kasprzak,
Association is a nonprofit
September 2008. it was a blank slate, we got exactly what we organization serving the northeast Sara Kasprzak (Vice President) Emily Martin, Nicole Notario-Risk,
wanted, “ James said. Grand Rapids community whose Emily Martin Linda Ortman, Sandy Stuckhardt,
Icon Sign, located at the corner of Leonard Nicole Natario-Risk (President)
boundaries are Leonard Street Pete Tabberer, Carol Townsend,
Street and Taylor Avenue, specializes in all The Mikruts live with their two children Skyler Dorothy Velasco (Associate Member) Janice Ver Merris, Greg Wemple
to the south, the Grand River to
nature of signage, including: banners, vehicle and Joey near Riverside Park. Although living
the west, Four Mile Road to the
lettering, window signs, and just about anything close to work has been a convenient arrangement, A City of Grand Rapids Community
North, then Plainfield Avenue Staff
else you would want to put a logo or slogan on. raising two small children while running a small Deborah Eid, Executive Director
Development Block Grant
south to I-96 and along the city
“We can do just about everything but billboards,” business also presents some challenges. “It's good Mackenzie Brown, Community Safety Organizer Funded Program
corporation line to Knapp Street, Sue Capps, Executive Assistant
Jenny said. and it's bad,” James said. “It's good because we east to Fuller Avenue, then south Carol Brugger, AARP Receptionist The views and opinions expressed
can get away and spend time with them and it's to Leonard Street. Membership are not necessarily those of the
James first opened Icon Sign nearly ten years
bad because sometimes we can't.” Fortunately is open to anyone inside or staff, Board of Directors or
ago at a location on Scribner Ave, with the outside of these boundaries.
their child care provider is nearby and the membership of the organization.
business moving to the current, larger facility on
building is designed to be a place where kids can
New Years Day, 2008. James and Jenny chose
hang out on the evenings or weekends that James
the location for its convenience and its central
and Jenny have to put in some extra hours.
location. The building is extremely visible on the
corner and stands less than a mile from the The Mikruts bought a building larger than
expressway. Its location also makes it easily they thought they needed. Initially, they foresaw
growing into the space in
five years, but in reality it
only took a year and half.
They now employ seven
people and completely fill
Become a
the space that once seemed
so large. Despite the growth,
Member!
they are not considering
another move. They love the
building and the location too
“Working together, we can
much for that. They have maintain a safe, friendly
given thought to expanding
into the building next door,
neighborhood, revitalize
but do not feel that the time our commercial district
is right.
and maintain the beautiful
In the meantime, the
assets around us.”
Photo: Pete Tabberer, 2009
Mikrut family at Icon Sign
continues to do steady, brisk -Sandy Stuckhardt,
business, which in this
economy is “a great problem
CNA resident and member
to have.” James said. “I
won't complain.”
○ Check here if you prefer not to be listed in our newsletter.
Page 2 The North End Connection Fall 2009 Page 15

3. CNA board member positions opening
We’ve put together a list of important city phone numbers up in October: applications requested
for reference. Clip this list and keep it handy.
by Sara Kasprzak
City Recycling Hotline 456-4444 There will be 8 CNA board seats open for the upcoming year, to be voted on at the
Odd/Even Parking Enforcmt. 456-3400
Creston Library 988-5410 October Annual Meeting. We are in serious need of interested and concerned neighbors
Police Non-emergency 456-3403 to oversee the direction and decision-making for the Creston Neighborhood Association.
GR Customer Service Info 456-3000 Board members are asked to attend a monthly board meeting (4th Thursday evening)
Property Taxes 456-3020 and to participate on a committee of the board. If you are interested in observing
Garbage Collection 456-3232
Senior Neighbors 774-0121 board meetings, applying for a board seat, or talking to a current board member for
Go Bus 456-6141 more information, please contact Deborah Eid, director of CNA at 454-7900.
Silent Observer 774-2345
GR Public Schools 819-2000
Social Service Referrals 211 Top 10 reasons to be a CNA board member:
Humane Society 453-8900
1
Street Snow Removal 456-3232
The satisfaction of working
6
Kent County Animal Shelter 336-3210
U.S. Social Security 800-772-1213 Be part of creating the
together towards a
Landlord/Tenant Disputes 245-2207 big picture for our
Water Service Repair 456-3249 common cause
neighborhood
Lawyers Referral 459-6019
2
The opportunity to affect
7
change in your Develop new skills
neighborhood and talents
3
Enjoy a sense of
8
community with your Rub elbows with the
fellow board members movers and shakers
of the neighborhood
4
Be part of the
9
CNA legacy Accomplish more
than you could
on your own
5
Have a voice in major
10
decisions that affect
Eat pies at the
the neighborhood
board meetings
Page 14 The North End Connection Fall 2009 Page 3

4. Summer Jazz Series at Red Jet Cafe by Pete Tabberer CNA welcomes new intern
It is a warm Monday night Jim and Jill
Kobie began his internship Kobie is a Detroit native and
in July and people walking Marcusse, former
with the Creston Neighborhood Grand Rapids resident of three
down Plainfield or eating at Creston residents who
Association on July 29, 2009. He years. He is a fluent Spanish
Red Jet Cafe are treated to remember when the
was given the job of mapping speaker, and also has a history
sounds they may not often Red Jet Cafe was a
out the properties in the in the field of culinary arts, but
hear in their neighborhood. In library and a bank, community and recording as is currently attending GRCC
addition to the familiar scent came to try out the much data as possible on each, where he majors in Radiological
of freshly brewed coffee and menu. “The food is picking up where a previous Technology. His biggest
delicious food, patrons and good and the music is volunteer had left off. interests are music, technology,
passersby will also notice the good,” said Jill with a and fashion.
sound of live outdoor music smile. “It [the Jazz He caught on to the system in
coming from Red Jet's new Series] fits well with place almost immediately, and His interest in the Neighbor-
patio. the sidewalk cafe started working fast towards hood Association stems from the
format,” said Jim. completing the job at hand. alarming amount of vacant and
Red Jet Cafe, a member of dilapidated homes he was used
“I'm glad they're On just his third day, he took
the Gilmore Collection, is to seeing in Detroit, and the
doing it.” part in a community meeting
one of several venues negative aspects such as crime
for the construction of a
participating in the Gilmore The Summer Jazz that came along with them.
new playground, where he did
Club's Summer Jazz Series, Series comes to the Kobie will be with us through-
Photo: Pete Tabberer, 2009
everything from inflate balloons
which showcases some of the Red Jet every Monday out August and September to
for children to prepare and serve
areas finest restaurants and night throughout the serve the Creston community.
food.
some of the best jazz summer. Next time
musicians that the local scene you visit the Red
has to offer. Jet for a coffee or a
sandwich be sure to
The night I attended the
visit the patio and Local musician Hugh Dewitt plays at Red Jet
audience was treated to the Cafe's outdoor patio on Monday, July 21, 2009.
enjoy the music while He performed as part of the Gilmore
music of saxophonist Hugh
you enjoy your meal. Collection's Summer Jazz Series.
Dewitt who played a variety
of original and well-known
jazz tunes. He was playing the
Red Jet for the second time
and seemed comfortable in
front of the small audience
with whom he often engaged
in light-hearted banter
between songs.
This low-key feel is exactly
what the Gilmore Club
intended for the series. They,
according to promotional
material sent to the venues,
intend it to have an almost
“open mic night” feel, in which
members of the audience
can feel welcome to join the
musicians on stage.
Page 4 The North End Connection Fall 2009 Page 13

5. Do you know the O’Brien Dentistry: 3 generations and counting
by Nancy J. Allen
answers to these 1503 Coit NE ● 616.361.2617
questions? Dr. Robert O’Brien opened his from University of
*What is the difference between a non- office on the corner of Coit Michigan Dental School
emergency and a true emergency, and and Quimby in June of 1950. The in 1977 and joined the
which number to call for each? building had previously been a dry practice. They were busy
goods store, a library, an insurance from the start. The three of
*How do you properly identify a agency and a doctor’s office. The them would lunch together
suspect or suspicious person? rent was $45.00 per month. His and discuss their work.
very first phone call asked, “When Most of the patients had
Photo: Pete Tabberer, 2009
*What does “neighborhood networking”
can I get an appointment?” His three dentists discussing
mean, and how do you use it?
reply was, “How about now?” He their case. Dr. Robert says,
*What can you do to make our was just sitting there. One guy “Nothing beats a family
neighborhood a safer place came in and checked out his practice. There is trust,
for children? diploma and exclaimed, “This caring, and each of us
dentist just graduated!”, and wants the other ones to succeed. I apartments above, or expanding
*What do you do if you suspect a drug promptly left. watched them develop into fine north, which is what they did. Dr.
house is operating near your home?
Fire safety notes from your
ethical dentists and relate to Jon and Dr. Pat remain committed
The North End News ran a story
*How do you use patients as I did. Now Dr. Pat‘s to the Creston Area. Their building
about Dr. Robert O’Brien, a new
son, Dan, is going to enter renovation in 2007 was named
local fire department by Greg Wemple
documentation effectively? dentist on the north end, which
Michigan’s Dental School this fall. the Best Renovation by the
helped him get patients. An older
*How many ways can the Creston My dad Leo was also a dentist. Neighborhood Business Alliance.
dentist also gave him some of his
Neighborhood Association be of Quite a chain! Since 1917, there’s
Did you know that your window though a cord that is too small overflow. One dentist called to tell “Today we have a dedicated staff
service to you and your family? been an O’Brien Dentist sign
air conditioner can be a fire it is like trying to run a bowling him that they didn’t need another of about 25 who help vitalize this
hanging.”
The answers to these questions and hazard? AC units require a lot of ball though a garden hose. It can dentist on the north end, but area. We have 8,000 to 10,000
more can be answered at your next electricity. If your house does lead to heat build up or a short. he stayed anyway and gradually Dr. Robert retired many years patients and are constantly getting
neighborhood block meeting. This is a not have appropriate wiring, or Running a cord under a carpet or became busy. His love for his ago, but at 87 years of age, he
great opportunity to meet new neighbors
continuing education courses to
you are using an inappropriate having kinks in it can also lead to profession and his ability to connect still stops in for visits and enjoys stay on the cutting edge of
on your block and reacquaint yourself
extension cord, keeping cool can problems. with patients really helped him. chatting with patients. dentistry. Our only advertising
with old neighbors too.
actually be putting you at risk. He also never thought of success comes from our satisfied patients
Establishing a good network of Finally, running it through The O’Brien’s have just expanded
with a dollar sign in each “S”. His and we feel blessed and grateful for
communication between neighbors is the Older homes have older wiring. an adapter or through a surge their business. They put a lot of
patients became his friends. all the wonderful patients we are
best way to ensure that problems that If the wiring in your home hasn’t protector strip can also lead to thought into the decision of moving
arise on your block are dealt with in been updated, you may be dealing electrical shorts or heat build up Dr. Jon and Dr. Pat, two of Dr. out of the area for more room, serving”, says Dr. Pat.
a timely manner. Good communication with 60 to 80 year old wires in your outlet. When using an AC Robert’s eleven children, graduated expanding upward into the Three generations and counting!!
between neighbors can help to reduce with crumbling insulation that window unit, make sure that:
crime, battle the blight that arises from a isn’t designed for the amount of ●the home’s wiring can handle it
high amount of home vacancies, and electricity being conducted. Also, ●if you are using an extension
other issues that may come up.
check to see if the electrical box in cord, that it can handle the
Creston is here to assist those your building has the appropriate amount of electricity being
neighbors interested in taking a fuses or circuit breakers for conducted and that you unplug
proactive stance against crime, the amount of electricity you are it when not in use
foreclosure, blight, etc. We are here to using. ●the cord is in good condition
share our experiences and knowledge as
and not running under carpets
well as connect our neighbors with those Running your air conditioner ●you are not using an adapter
city actors that can assist in proactive through an extension cord
problem solving. or surge protector.
can add risk. Extension cords
So get in contact with Creston and are intended to be a temporary Honestly, any of you may do one
together we can organize your block so solution, which is defined as less or more of the above and it
that everyone can partake in insuring than 30 days. Cords are also may not start a fire. But you are
that their block is a great block to live on rated for the amount of electricity increasing risk. So please be Before and after pictures from the 2007 renovation to O’Brien Dentistry,
for years to come. they are supposed to conduct. If careful. Take care and have a which was named the Best Renovation by the Neighborhood Business Alliance
by Mac Brown, Community Safety Organizer you are running an AC unit good summer.
Page 12 The North End Connection Fall 2009 Page 5

6. Crime Free Multi-Housing: let’s make it a goal Welcome New & Renewing Members!
by Mac Brown William & Martha Aldrich Fred & Sue Harvey D. Catherine Mueller
Recently, the Executive life.
dark areas for people to hide. Veronica Aungst Sr. Roberta Hefferan & Mary Jo Owczarzak
Director, Deborah, and I All the residential safety Dan & Diane Babcock Sr. Jean Milhaupt Lea Palmer
attended a 2-day training course These are but a few techniques
programs that were taught Sally Barnes Fred Hesse Glenn & Fran Preston
on Crime Free Multi-Housing. for crime prevention that were
focused around Crime Preven- Jerry & Mary Barnum Bill & Elva Hirsch John & Florence Regenmorter
The training was sponsored discussed.
tion Through Environmental Mary Bierlein Jan Hitchcock James & Debra Rinck
by the West Michigan Crime Design (C.P.T.E.D.). This Also, for landlords we
Kenneth & Jeanne Bishop Herman E. Hofmeyer Patricia Rodgers
Prevention Association, and concept takes the focus of crime discussed the importance of a
Jerry Bohr Thomas & Dianne Hula Stanley & Phyllis Saganski
Brian Kanicki from the Saginaw prevention to the surrounding Crime Free Lease Addendum for
Township Police Department Charles & Laura Botwinski Jim & Tiffany Idziak Margaret & Seena Schoenwandt
landscape and planning it or new members, giving landlords Stan & Jean Jarosz
was our instructor. enhancing it in a way that will the power to evict tenants due
Andrew Bowman & Roxann S. Shier
Rose DeBie-Bowman John Jett Gladys Spangler
Officer Kanicki is a certified make it less likely to foster or to criminal activity on the
Susan Bryant Todd Jones Sandy & Kim Stuckhardt
neighborhood watch trainer, encourage crime. premises.
Kathleen Burns Tom & Sara Kasprzak Rick Szczepanski
threat assessor, and Crime Free This is done, for instance, by So if you are a landlord in the Mary Carter Christine Keller & Nate Beversluis Diane & Mike Teeter
Multi-Housing trainer. The making a certain overgrown Creston Neighborhood that Jim & Betts Casey Doug & Kirsten Kelly Kelli Thompson
rationale for the course was bush less easy to conceal a would like to take advantage Ann Cowden Eunice Kimm Tom & Sonia VanBragt
that establishing a partnership person by keeping it trimmed or of this knowledge that we have Robert & Linda Creaser Clyde & Anna LaBrenz Dan VanderWerf & Candace Gavin
between housing communities moving it all together. Also, accrued, please call or stop Duane & Marie-Clare Culver Billy & Anya Lanford Douglas VanMeurs
and local law enforcement is the having certain lighting can by the Creston Neighborhood
best way to prevent crime and Jeanine Devlin Kim Lang John & Brenda VanTholen
maximize safety by eliminating Association and I would be glad Russell & Brenda DeVreugd Mandy Lozon
improve on the overall quality of to help you get started.
Calvin Vruggink &
Glenn & Sue Disosway Danny Lynn Laura DeGraaf-Vruggink
creston car show
Robert Divita Don & Mary Lou McDonald Danny & Pat Wheeler
Mary Jane Dockeray Sean & Lily McGavin Delbert Wiersma
John & Marilyn Dooge Cora McQueen
Business Members
Roy & Eleanor DuPraw Marilyn Mejsak
Lorraine Schultz, CRS, ABR Realtor
John & Gwen Dykhouse Glen & Maxine Moerdyk
My Personal Credit Union
David & Mary Ann Gaylord Bud & Marian Morrow
Star Collision CarStar
Robin Geahan Tom Mort & Sherri Wilson
Need
foreclosure
help?
Call Home Repair Services
at 241-2601
They have certified
financial counselors
september 12 ● 11-3pm available to help you.
Remember: the sooner
behind Sazerac Lounge (1418 Plainfield) you call, the better.
Page 6 The North End Connection Fall 2009 Page 11

7. New local Northend restaurant: Wing Heaven Two new murals planned
by Linda Ortman and Janice Ver Merris
1808 Monroe
616.361.922
for Plainfield Avenue
Owned and Operated by Two new murals space. My mural
Mike and Catherine
will be going up along concept illustrates a
Have you noticed how nice the Plainfield Avenue late hidden tree lined
corner of Ann and Monroe looks this summer as part garden and fountain
lately? Take a closer look and of continued efforts to which the viewer
you’ll see Wing Heaven right there revitalize the Creston enters through an
in the middle of the mini-mall.
Corridor. open gate. The ornate
That new eat-in or take-out brick frame of the
restaurant has been open for about The picture to the
doorway is echoed
5 months and specializes in chicken Photo: Pete Tabberer, 2009 left shows what the
in the style of the
wings, fish and Kool-aid (Yes Kool- proposed mural by
aid with a secret ingredient) The Venetian fountain and
artist Michael
owners started out with their first gate. A colorful pallet
Pfleghaar will look
Wing Heaven on Wealthy and of greens and blues
Diamond and plan to open one soon like once in place. The
will bring the viewer
in Allendale. work is called “Into
reminders of summer
Employee Dannall Dannah (left) and owner Mike Abdoo (right) in front of the Garden” and
Mike got into the restaurant all year around.”
business by a little serendipity and
the restaurant, newly opened on the corner of Ann and Monroe. Pfleghaar writes about
a little pragmatic planning. He ran educated column. What a great Mango Habanero with the Honey it: Plans for the second
into an old friend who happens to way to learn!! Heaven a close second. We’ll mural which will be on
“The bricked up door-
own the Wing Heaven franchise definitely go back and maybe try the side of Jimmy’s
and with the emptiness left by his After studying the menu, which Rendering of what mural by Michael Pfleghaar way calls to be
the wing dings and some different BBQ are still being
parents deaths, the instability of had so many choices, six of us seasonings and sauces, but we will look like once in place at Plainfield depicted as a window
ordered a 25 piece dinner and an United Methodist Church. finalized.
employment in the auto industry, could happily order the same things or entry into another
and a little nerve, Mike jumped in additional six pieces of boneless we had tonight.
and bought his first franchise. wings. We got free fries with the
instore coupon, chose four dipping We highly recommend you make
Wing Heaven is a locally started sauces from a list of 17 and brought a visit to Wing Heaven and it is
franchise that is now going our meal home for our backyard best to call in your order.
national. They have their own
secret recipes and sauces and an
picnic.
Don’t forget to check out the Hello Neighbor Membership Walk October 3rd!
extensive menu. What a fun and tasty meal! The desserts…..they look yummy. And by Deborah Eid
“Volunteers are unpaid, not new friendships. And, most
delicious white meat chicken and if you just need a late night
We planned a little tasting party variety of sauces pleased everyone. ice cream cone, stop by for your
because they are worthless, importantly, without members
with friends so we could write an Our favorite dipping sauce was favorite Hudsonville flavor. but because they are priceless.” and volunteers, we don’t have a
Anonymous neighborhood association.
Our Children, Our Responsibility Nancy Allen, our CNA CNA invites you to get out and
volunteer coordinator, wants meet and greet your neighbors,
There are many children that live in the Creston Neighborhood and concern for their safety and to remind neighbors that the and talk with them about
welfare doesn’t just stop at the parents. Our whole neighborhood is responsible for the safety of rewards of being a member and membership in the Creston
Creston’s children. So this summer when you see a child out past curfew hours please call non- volunteering are many – a voice Neighborhood Association. Our
emergency and report it. The police consider this to be of the highest priority, and nobody wants to for your community, a feeling of first date for this 3-hour
learn about an abduction and know that a simple phone call on their behalf could have prevented it. belonging, self-gratification for commitment is Saturday,
11 years and under must be in by 10pm helping, knowing your October 3rd from 9am-12pm.
Non-emergency: 616-456-3400 neighbors, working on a project Call our office at 454-7900 or
12,13, & 14 years must be in by 11pm you really believe in, improving Nancy at 363-9672. Training
Even if you are unsure about the age, call anyway.
15 and 16 years must be in by midnight Better to be safe than sorry. your neighborhood, and building and treats provided.
Page 10 The North End Connection Fall 2009 Page 7

8. CNA receives grant to renovate Sweet Street Playlot Citizen advocacy around zoning issues
by Carol Townsend
September 25, 2009 is Build Day! by Deborah Eid Have you wanted to express your
opinion on something happening in
and provide tips on how best to
present your case. Testimony must
site: www.grcity.us/planning.
In summary, there are several
The current playground at Sweet volunteers to your neighborhood but didn’t really focus on specific criteria regarding
know how to go about it? Grand the zoning issue and not just kinds of meetings where citizens
and College has the same receive national can impact zoning decisions
equipment that it had when it was press has been Rapids’ new Zoning Ordinance emotional reactions.
provides opportunities for you to affecting their neighborhoods, but
created in the early 1970’s. But our First Lady, Report Violations YOU must attend. There are many
not for long! M i c h e l l e impact development projects and
zoning changes proposed for your Good enforcement of the Zoning ways to obtain lots of information
Obama. (see Ordinance is dependent upon about zoning issues, but YOU must
On Friday, July 31st a group of Kaboom.org for neighborhood. Here are some
25 kids and their parents, CNA examples: citizen vigilance in reporting access them. The important point
more info.) We possible violations. This is done to remember is that YOU must
neighbors, and representatives are grateful to
from Kaboom! and Amway Neighborhood Meeting by calling Housing Inspection at take the initiative if the Zoning
the City of Developers of significant projects 456-3053. You do not have to leave Ordinance is to be utilized
corporation got together in Creston Grand Rapids
at Plainfield United Methodist to are encouraged to organize a your name when filing a complaint to protect and preserve the
Parks and Rec. meeting with residents and other if you do not want that as part of quality and character of YOUR
draw and plan for their dream Dept, the Grand
playground. affected parties to inform them the public record. However, you neighborhood.
Rapids Public about the project, answer concerns, should call back in a couple of
This meeting represented a real Schools and to Written by Carol Townsend,
and discuss any potential problems. weeks and ask for the inspector
victory for Creston’s neighbors, all the people Kent/MSU Extension, as part of
The intent of the neighborhood handling the complaint. Many
and the culmination of a three who signed the the Zoning Education Project – a
meeting is to provide a forum times you can provide crucial
year organizing effort begun in the petition CNA Neighborhood children draw their ideas for a new partnership with the Grand Rapids
so that the developer and affected information regarding the situation
fall of 2006, when CNA submitted circulated in playground at Design Day held on July 31. Planning Department and United
parties can understand each others' that will help the inspector. The
it’s first grant proposal to Kaboom. March to object to the proposed Weekly conference calls will lead Growth for Kent County with
perspective and try to resolve any inspector does not have to include
This national non-profit partners removal of outdated equipment at our volunteer chair people through funding provided by the Dyer-Ives
possible conflict. Neighbors should your name in the file at this point.
with different corporate this site without a plan for a new our lists of tasks to be completed Foundation.
always attend these meetings.
sponsors around the country and playground. And thanks also to b y S e p t e m b e r . V o l u n t e e r Usually the neighborhood and/or Access Information/Review File
community partners and has built our new partner organization, the committees handle all the logistics business association will assist As a citizen, you can obtain all
170 playgrounds built in one day Friends of Grand Rapids Parks, for build day including people to the developer in organizing the kinds of information
through entirely volunteer labor. led by Steve Faber. help build the playground. meeting. Neighbors should use regarding zoning cases. First,
The most famous of the Kaboom this meeting to make sure the you can receive every Planning
Now the real work begins.
If you are interested in development will be an asset to Commission agenda and every
Board of Zoning Appeal agenda
volunteering for Build the area and to negotiate with the
via e-mail by contacting
developer for improvements.
Day, making a financial the Planning Department at
contribution to the project, Public Hearing 456-3159 or e-mailing them at
or donating food for Build A public hearing may be held by planning@grcity.us. Second, all
the Planning Commission, the City of the information a
Day, please call CNA at Commission, or the Board of Zoning developer has presented to the
454-7900. Appeals when a project will have City on a project as well as all of
a significant impact on an the materials submitted by an
CNA wishes to honor the
area, require a special land use, or owner seeking a zoning vari-
generosity of the following donors
deviate from the Zoning Ordinance ance can be inspected at the
toward this project (list current
requirements. Affected citizens Planning Department at 1120
as of July 31, 2009): Anne Mary
Photo: Pete Tabberer, 2009
should make their voices heard at Monroe N.W., second floor. The
Heerspink-Lamsma Bequest,
Photo: Pete Tabberer, 2009
the hearing through written or oral h i s t o r y o f a
Beckett Family Rentals, Dyer-
testimony. Neighbors who have specific house can be viewed at
Ives Foundation, Kiwanis North
organized to present a unified Housing Inspection, also at
of Grand Rapids, Dan and Brenda
position are much more effective 1120 Monroe N.W. Minutes
Dunn, Paul Haan and Julie
in affecting desired changes to a from the Planning Commission
Nietling, and Mike and Donna
project than a few individual voices. and Board of Zoning Appeal
Kemper.
With the help of Kaboom! CNA will be replacing this playground equipment from Your neighborhood association meetings can be accessed at the
the 1970’s with a brand new playground designed by neighborhood children. should help in organizing this effort Planning Department’s web
Page 8 The North End Connection Fall 2009 Page 9