A frontier fur-trading town that continues to evolve as a hub of innovation and can-do spirit, the Center City district of Grand Rapids is the financial and cultural anchor of Michigan's West Coast.
Rising on the eastern shore of the Grand River, Center City features numerous attractions. The Civic Theatre is Michigan's oldest community theatre. The GRAM holds more than 5,000 works in its permanent collection. The Monroe Center walking mall offers a wide selection of coffee houses, restaurants, and boutique shops. Rosa Parks Circle, the district's public park and amphitheatre, hosts weekly blues concerts in the summer and ice skating in the winter.
Another unique highlight is La Grande Vitesse, a large outdoor sculpture at the center of government square, which is distinguished as America's first publicly-funded art installation. The district's major festivals include a three-day arts celebration in June, as well as distinct Polish, Irish, Italian, Native American, Latino, Mexican, German, and African American celebrations of cultural heritage throughout the summer.
Incorporated as a city in 1850 with a population of 2,686, Center City now is the heart of Michigan's second largest city. Once known as the Furniture Capitol of the World, this also is the epicenter of Grand Rapids effort to redefine its identity as a leader of modern medical research and sustainable design.
For more information about CenterCity visit the Rapid Growth:
- Visiting Guide
- Moving Guide
- Investing Guide
- Photo Essay
Tommy Allen, Lifestyle Editor
Thursday, February 02, 2012
Sometimes, the fastest way to make a connection in our region is by creating a straight high line. But before you think our lifestyle editor, Tommy Allen, is talking about GRR flight patterns, you'd better read on....
Jeff Hill
Thursday, January 12, 2012
One of the largest energy providers in the world, Veolia Energy, explains why it was so attracted to Grand Rapids and its downtown steam plant.
J. Bennet Rylah
Thursday, January 12, 2012
It's January, and one of the most common resolutions is getting fit or losing weight. From November to January, Rapid Growth Media's Managing Editor went through a personal training program with Lead Personal Trainer at the YMCA's downtown branch. What were the results, and how can testing and training help you achieve your own fitness goals?
Nick Manes
Thursday, November 17, 2011
When people think of media production and development, most think of New York and Los Angeles. However, Michael Pearson and Steve Steketee of Shutterwerks Media look at that paradigm differently. In their minds, it’s ‘why not here?’
Eric O'Brien
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Radio personality, Facepalm Media Digital Content Strategist, Clear Channel Program Director and 2011 TEDxGrand Rapids On Stage Curator Eric O'Brien is a foodie. In fact, he almost became a chef. Here, he talks about his plans for the Wine, Beer and Food Festival.
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