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🌱 Patch AM: Which 2025 City Hall fights could reshape Grand Rapids in 2026?

And on the Grand Rapids Patch calendar - Jurassic Quest - Grand Rapids

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Greetings Grand Rapids! We’re your go-to source for what’s happening in town. Read on to get plugged in! ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • Which 2025 City Hall fights could reshape Grand Rapids in 2026?
  • How a historic downtown office tower is becoming new Grand Rapids housing
  • What’s behind the Lowell fire probe and Griffins ‘Arena Takeover’?

Also on today's calendar: KIDZ BOP LIVE: The Concert Movie - Grand Rapids and 5 more events.

Find out what's happening in Grand Rapidsfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Today's riddle: Playing golf is bad for your brain. 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

Find out what's happening in Grand Rapidsfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

  • Thursday: Lake-effect snow, up to 1", with a high of 21 and low of 18 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!
  • Friday: Mostly cloudy and cold, temps: high: 26, low: 15.
  • Saturday: A little afternoon snow, with a high of 25 and low of 22 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. 5 controversial issues Grand Rapids city commissioners faced in 2025 (mlive.com) — Grand Rapids city commissioners spent 2025 wrestling with hot-button issues, from a proposed city-run trash monopoly and an Eastown street redesign to park and street renaming fights. Activists also pushed unsuccessfully for sanctuary city status while a long-term climate action plan advanced despite business concerns, setting the stage for more debate in 2026.
   

2. Office to apartment conversion at historic Grand Rapids building lands city incentives (mlive.com) — Grand Rapids has approved major tax incentives to turn three vacant office floors in the historic Ledyard Building downtown into 36 apartments, some reserved for lower-income renters. The $11.4 million project could start construction this spring and includes a commitment to steer 30% of construction work to small, women- or minority-owned firms.
   

3. Focus West Michigan 12-31-25: Fire in Lowell may have been deliberately set (wgvunews.org) — Grand Rapids listeners tuning to WGVU’s Focus West Michigan will hear updates on a suspicious fire at a Lowell senior facility, a Plainfield Township runner’s MS fundraiser, and a Grand Rapids Griffins emergency-preparedness ‘Arena Takeover.’ The program also covers 2026 unemployment benefit increases, a terrorism-threats law challenge, and looming resentencing deadlines for some young offenders statewide.
   

4. Offense notes: 'Handcuffs' off for Michigan passing attack, turnovers prove costly, Jordan Marshall's status (on3.com subscription) — A former walk-on from Grand Rapids, running back Bryson Kuzdzal, led Michigan’s ground game in the Wolverines’ Citrus Bowl loss to Texas, capping his season with 244 rushing yards and four touchdowns. The game featured a more aggressive passing attack under interim coaches, but turnovers and injuries, including to key running backs, proved costly in the 41-27 defeat.
   

📸 Around Grand Rapids

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Grand Rapids

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📣 Grand Rapids Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

    Thursday January 1
  • Level Up Basketball Training
    Mill Creek Middle School - Middle School Gym
    5:00 pm
    • Friday January 2
  • Gym Floor Polishing
    Comstock Park High School - HS Gym
    6:00 am
  • Tennis Bond Work
    Pine Island Elementary - PI East Practice Field, PI West Practice Field
    6:00 am
    • Monday January 5
  • Youth Basketball
    Pine Island Elementary - PI Gym
    5:00 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

 

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  • Mindsee.it — (646) 663-8317
    Teach your kids they can achieve the impossible!

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • I love seeing them comfortable enough to play.
    It really amazes me how far they have come in just a week. 🫶🫶 I caught this on my camera a few minutes ago. Ive got one that keeps an eye on them so… (Nextdoor Cutler Estates)
  • Found dog: black male pittie mix ran up to us on Sherman and Fuller.
    Had a U of M collar but no tags. We waited about half an hour but didn’t see anyone out looking for him. We took him to Kent county animal shelter so… (Nextdoor Baxter)
  • Sam's Club posted a job opening for Cart Attendant in Grand Rapids. Apply here.
  • S&K Building Services posted a job opening for Pressure Cleaning and Window Cleaning Technician in Grand Rapids. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Grand Rapids here.

Ok Grand Rapids! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I just heard a golfer say he had four strokes on the first hole!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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