Grand Rapids is the second-largest city in Michigan and the largest city in West Michigan. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.5 males. The Clerk’s Office will begin to mail absentee ballots in late September. Former professional sports teams include Grand Rapids Dragonfish, Grand Rapids Cyclones, Grand Rapids Rampage, Grand Rapids Hoops (Grand Rapids Mackers), Grand Rapids Flight, Grand Rapids Owls (1977–80), Grand Rapids Rockets, and Grand Rapids Chicks, Grand Rapids Blazers, Grand Rapids Shamrocks. [128], The homicide rate in Grand Rapids was at its highest in the early 1990s, with the highest number of homicides being 34 in 1993. The Grand Rapids and Indiana Railroad began passenger and freight service to Cedar Springs, Michigan, on December 25, 1867, and to Fort Wayne, Indiana, in 1870. Need yard waste tags for your yard waste cart? On display until
It was adapted from the children's book by author and illustrator Chris Van Allsburg, who lives in the city. The elected City Comptroller verifies financial policies and budgets are followed and prepares the annual financial report. Grand Rapids is home to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Grand Rapids, which was created on May 19, 1882 by Pope Leo XIII. [13] Because of those ties, Steelcase purchased and restored the property in the 1980s. In 1869, the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern Railway connected to the city. Grand Rapids is a place that combines the best of a city trip with easy access to nature. The median age was 30 years. Consolidation of department stores occurred here and nationally in the 1980s and 1990s. [134] The city levies an income tax of 1.5 percent on residents and 0.75 percent on nonresidents. You can order the blue City trash bags online. The city of Grand Rapids was incorporated April 2, 1850. Bush in 1988. Of particular significance is the Meyer May House, a Prairie-style home Frank Lloyd Wright designed in 1908. [citation needed]. 15.7% of the population and 11.9% of families were below the poverty line. They include the Van Andel Research Institute, Grand Valley State University's Cook-DeVos Center for Health Sciences, and the Michigan State University College of Human Medicine medical school's Secchia Center, along with Ferris State University's College of Pharmacy. [89] It was the first work of public art in the United States funded by the National Endowment for the Arts. It incorporated trends to use steel and other manufactured materials in furniture, with ergonomic designs for chairs, computer stations, and other furnishings.[28]. [15] Lucius Lyon, a Yankee Protestant who would later become a rival to Campau arrived in Grand Rapids who purchased the rest of the prime land and called his plot the Village of Kent. Donations will support a new public gear library for use in local parks and green spaces. Today, the Gateways for Growth Grand Rapids/Kent County Steering Committee, comprised of representatives from the City of Grand Rapids, Kent County, West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce and Samaritas, debuted the Welcome Plan for …