Eastown [Road] Reconstruction Projects

There is currently two road reconstruction projects underway, one designed and one in design. These projects address Wealthy St, through East Town, from Richard Terrace Ave east to the city limits. Public engagement for the section from Ethel Ave to the city limit (east) was conducted in 2022. The second phase from Ethel Ave west to Richard Terrace Ave, a length of about two blocks, is currently in the design phase and public engagement is open. A future third phase will address Wealty St from Lake Drive to Woodmere.

The current proposal is to widen the sidewalks by moving in the curbs on both sides inward by three (3) feet. Curb extensions will be installed at intersections to better define the parking area and shorten pedestrian crossings. On-street parking will be retained, and dedicated right turn lanes will be removed.

In the city's Vital Streets plan Wealthy St is categorized as a "Balanced Street":

Balanced streets do not have a mode priority. Rather, they provide critical connections for all types of street users and no one mode should be prioritized. Balanced streets are areas where difficult design tradeoffs may need to be made to ensure safe and accessible facilities are provided for all users.

No bicycle facilities are planned.

Related

• City Engineering Project Page, City of Grand Rapids
• Vital Streets: Street Classification Map, PDF
• Vital Streets Plan, PDF
• Vital Streets Program page, City of Grand Rapids