Grand Rapids IS a growing, thriving City!

For all of us that live here, the recent 'dying city' article that was published in Newsweek last week didn't set too well. As residents we see our city flourishing, thriving and making it's place on the map! We are all proud to live here and it's the most amazing place to call home.

Below is the link to the VERY appropriate letter Mayor Heartwell wrote in rebuttal to the article:
Thriving City

So unique Grand Rapids!

I thought this was super cool and very unique to our city!!

Nothing like a 500 ft Water Slide in the middle of the city!!! Event will take place Saturday and Sunday (Aug 21st and 22nd) on Lyon street and is FREE. Anyone can ride, however all under 48 inches must ride with an adult.

Come check it out and don't forget your bathing suit!!

West Michigan Schools come on top!

Wood TV 8 reported last week that three West Michigan Public Schools were ranked in the top 5 out of 3000 statewide!

According to excerpts from the report:

Forest Hills Public Schools' Eastern Middle School took the number one spot statewide among 3,000 schools ranked. Grand Rapids Public Schools' City Middle/High School came in fourth and FHPS' Northern Hills Middle School is ranked fifth.

Please click here for entire article

Michigan Success Story

An article today from CNN Money.com highlighting our wonderful Grand Rapids!!

Michigan Success Story

Yet another article showcasing why Grand Rapids is such a great place to live! Rapid Growth published THIS ARTICLE about MSU's college of Human Medicine locating in Grand Rapids. Below is an excerpt:

"Their eyes light up when we talk about quality of life in Grand Rapids," Rappley says. "That's not from me telling them about it. That's from their experience in visiting.

"Grand Rapids is making this part of my job easy. It's not a hard sell. It's really a great place to work and raise a family."

So true!

A little taste of West Michigan!

This past week, The Grand Rapids Press published an interesting article about the many ethnic restaurants popping up in our own back yard here in West Michigan. Living in Chicago for a few years really opened our eyes to eclectic foods and has been something that we missed and felt was always lacking here....not any more!! There are many wonderful places to enjoy and experience International cuisine.

For a helpful guide, please view: Ethnic Restaurants

Yet another reason West Michigan rocks!!

Reeds Lake Waterfront Project

The first phase of the Reeds Lake Construction Project will be staring in April (and will end in October). It sounds like the project will enhance Colins Park making it more enjoyable (for fishing, docks and walking trails). For the full story, check out:

Waterfront Project