Featured Stories

A changing downtown: How Kitchen 242 is transforming Muskegon's culinary landscape

By Anna Gustafson, On The Ground Muskegon Lakeshore Editor Thursday, October 26, 2017

Drawing chefs and business owners from throughout the region, Kitchen 242 in downtown Muskegon is quickly becoming an innovative cornerstone of the city’s growing food scene.

Building Communities, Business Development, Community Engagement, Food, Healthy Living, On The Ground Muskegon Lakeshore, Restaurants, Small Business

Muskegon Lakeshore

Sue Garza, directora de la Biblioteca Cook y Erica Tomas Juarez

Eliminating zero tolerance: advocacy, changing law and efforts towards restorative practices

By Erica Tomas Juarez, with additional reporting by Michelle Jokisch Polo Thursday, October 26, 2017

For 25 years, Michigan has had one of the harshest school disciplines in the country. For students like Erica Tomas Juarez who were expelled under this "zero tolerance" policy, navigating next steps were often a difficult path. In the summer of 2017, the law was changed, allowing for open dialogue and restorative practices to be implemented statewide, aiming to prevent stories like Juarez', and keep more kids in school.

Education, On The Ground

Garfield Park-Alger Heights-Grandville Ave

Eliminando la política de cero tolerancia: cambios de ley y esfuerzos hacia prácticas restauradoras

Erica Tomas Juarez con reportaje adicional por Michelle Jokisch Polo Thursday, October 26, 2017

Durante 25 años, Michigan ha tenido una de las disciplinas escolares más duras del país. Para estudiantes como Erica Tomas Juarez, quien fue expulsado bajo la política de cero tolerancia. En el verano del 2017, la ley fue modificada permitiendo que las practicas restauradores puedan ser libremente implementadas en todo el estado, con el objetivo de evitar que historias como la de Juarez se vuelvan a repetir, y pueda mantener a más niños en la escuela.

On the Ground Español

Garfield Park-Alger Heights-Grandville Ave

Problem solving with real-time data: The projects behind GR's Smart City status

By Allison Spooner Thursday, October 26, 2017

Last month, we discussed GRand Rapids' progress toward becoming a Smart City. This month, we take a look at the projects powering that progress as the city looks to data to solve real world problems.

Food, Making it in Grand Rapids, Technology

Angie Wasserman-Nelund and Troy Wasserman.

Living history: Wasserman's Flowers & Gifts is a story about Muskegon's past and future

By Anna Gustafson, On The Ground Muskegon Lakeshore Editor Thursday, October 19, 2017

The Wasserman family and their flower shop have been an integral part of Muskegon for 137 years, and the city's oldest family-owned business weaves a narrative about the history, present and future of Muskegon—about the determination, joy, hardships, and perseverance of its people.

Building Communities, Business Development, Community Engagement, Entrepreneurship, Immigration, On The Ground Muskegon Lakeshore, Retail, Shopping, Small Business, tourism

Muskegon Lakeshore

Museum School fulfills purpose of original Grand Rapids Public Museum building

By Estelle Slootmaker Thursday, October 19, 2017

Dear to the hearts of area residents old enough to have spent time there, the former Grand Rapids Public Museum building at 54 Jefferson Ave. SE is awakening from a long sleep. Next fall, ninth-grade students from the Grand Rapids Public Museum School will claim it as their high school.

Development, Education, Michigan Nightlight, Museums

The Trust Building offers mixed use retail and executive suites

A combination of things: Mixed-use buildings grow Grand Rapids

By Estelle Slootmaker Thursday, October 19, 2017

Will mixed-use buildings create economic success in Grand Rapids? The answer is complicated, and requires sound public policy, mindful of economic impact.

Construction, Development

Heartside

1349 Lake Drive SE, Sondag's Pastries in 1944

Neighborhoods of GR: Eastown a hip, connected community

By Lauren Fay Carlson, Managing Editor Thursday, October 19, 2017

Diverse. Hipster haven. Former streetcar through fair. Eastown, as one of the oldest established neighborhoods in GR, is an ever-evolving, tight knit community with a rich history explored in this edition of Neighborhoods of GR.

Arts & Culture, Building Communities, Community Organizing, Cultural, Education, Festivals, Food, Higher Education, Historic Sites, Non Profit, nonprofit, Non-Profit, Restaurants, Reuse / Rebuild, Sense of Place, Transformational change

Eastown

Rumsey Street: Leaving behind a history of sacred space

Michelle Jokisch Polo, Editor of On The Ground GR Thursday, October 19, 2017

Veronica Quintino-Aranda grew up on Grandville Avenue and has attended St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church her entire life. As the building is demolished to make room for new development--Quintino-Aranda wants future generations to remember the space with reverence and respect.

Community Engagement, On The Ground

Garfield Park-Alger Heights-Grandville Ave

Facing a changing future, Midland reimagines its identity

By Nina Misuraca Ignaczak Thursday, October 19, 2017

In the wake of an historic merger between Dow and DuPont, Midland’s civic leaders are finding new ways to strengthen the city’s image for young talent.

Building Communities, Business Development, Development, Small Business, Transformational change

Calle Rumsey: Dejando atrás una historia sagrada

Michelle Jokisch Polo, Editora de On The Ground GR Thursday, October 19, 2017

Veronica Quintino-Aranda creció en Grandville Avenue y ha asistido a St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church toda su vida. A medida que el edificio es demolidapara dar cabida a un nuevo desarrollo, Quintino-Aranda quiere que las futuras generaciones recuerden el espacio con reverencia y respeto.

On the Ground Español

Garfield Park-Alger Heights-Grandville Ave

James Hughes, owner and at teacher at Triumph Music Academy

RapidChat: James Hughes on Triumph Music Academy and nurturing the musical talent in young and old

By Jenna Morton Thursday, October 12, 2017

"There was always this innate need inside of me to play music, even before I ever held an instrument in my hands." Professes James Hughes, owner and at teacher at Triumph Music Academy. Classed as Grand Rapid's Highest Rated Music School, Triumph welcomes students of all ages. "Music is inside all of us—we just have to let it out and share it."

Music, RapidChat

Kids in awe at a display in "1001 Inventions"

Michigan Science Center exhibition to highlight Golden Age of Innovation

By Andy Reid Thursday, October 12, 2017

"1001 Inventions: Untold Stories From A Golden Age Of Innovation," which opened Oct. 7 in Detroit, highlights an era of Muslim Civilization that coincided with the European Dark Ages—a period of almost 1,000 years.

Arts & Culture, Inspiring Innovation, Museums

Tameka Smith at McLaughlin Grows Urban Farm.

Seeds of justice: How Muskegon is banding together to fight food insecurity

By Anna Gustafson, On The Ground Muskegon Lakeshore Editor Thursday, October 12, 2017

After facing some hard truths about health in Muskegon, residents are turning the city around. From an urban farm teaming up with doctors to provide patients with fresh produce to the downtown farmers market expanding access to fruits and vegetables for low-income families, the city's quest for better health is breaking down barriers and building community.

Agricultural Economy, Building Communities, Community Engagement, Healthy Living, On The Ground Muskegon Lakeshore

Muskegon Lakeshore

UIX: Costume couture takes on different roles in West Michigan

By Matthew Russell Thursday, October 12, 2017

Skill is important in costume design, as is the need to master a variety of techniques. Drafting patterns, draping, cutting, dying, fibre knowledge, embroidery, weaving, felting, embellishment, millinery shills, leather work, cobbler, jewelry, and couture sewing are just a few of the essentials. It takes a lot of work to craft a quality costume, and West Michigan is home to a handful of creative makers who define that standard in different corners of the field.

fashion, Small Business, Urban Innovation Exchange

West Fulton, Southeast Community