Our Vision
There is opportunity here to build whatever the community needs-- this is just one possibility!
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Attend our workshop and tell us what you'd like to see in your city.
Right now, US-131 cuts through the heart of the city—moving cars quickly, but creating barriers for the people who live here.
But it doesn’t have to stay this way. Across the country, cities are rethinking highways and creating places that are safer, healthier, and more connected. Grand Rapids has that same opportunity.
🔴US-131 Now🔴
Congested
Expensive to maintain
Divides neighborhoods
Loud and visually uninviting
Unsafe for drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists
Creates air pollution
Generates no long-term local value
🟢What's possible🟢
Regional traffic moves around the city -- not through neighborhoods
Safe for drivers, pedestrians, cyclists, and transit users
Attractive, human-scale streets
New opportunities for housing and local businesses
Increased tax revenue and economic growth
Reconnected streets and neighborhoods
Cleaner air and better public health
Current Travel Patterns
Today, regional traffic is routed directly through the heart of Grand Rapids.
40% of traffic does not stop in the city.Â
Ideal Travel Patterns
A reimagined system moves through-traffic around the city, protecting neighborhoods and supporting local life.
What Could Replace US-131?
Instead of a dividing line, this corridor could become a connected, vibrant part of the city:
Source: CNUÂ
A People-Focused Boulevard
A redesigned street with slower speeds, safe crossings, bike lanes, and reliable transit-- making it easier and safer for everyone to move around.
This means:Â
Safer streets for kids, older adults, and everyone in between
Less stress when walking, biking, or driving
More transportation choices for daily life
Source: Google Images
Homes for All
Right now, a highway takes up a huge amount of valuable land. That space could instead be used for new housing—not just large apartment buildings, but also smaller options like duplexes, townhomes, and mixed-income housing.
This means:Â
More places for people to live near jobs, schools, and downtown
Options for different incomes, ages, and family sizes
A chance for longtime residents to stay in their community
Source: depositphotos.com
Space for Local Businesses
Instead of empty space under and around a freeway, there could be storefronts, cafés, and small business spaces. These are the kinds of places where local entrepreneurs can open shops and where neighbors can gather.
This means:Â
More locally owned businesses (not just chains)
New jobs and economic opportunities
Walkable places to grab coffee, food, or services close to home
Source: CNUÂ
Reconnected Neighborhoods
Right now, US-131 cuts off streets and makes it harder to get from one neighborhood to another. Rebuilding those connections means restoring streets so they link back together, especially at key intersections.
This means:Â
Shorter, more direct routes to schools, parks, and businesses
Easier walking and biking between neighborhoods
Stronger connections between people and places
Source: Europe NowÂ
More Green Space
Highways create heat and take away space that could be used for trees and parks. A redesigned corridor could include green spaces, tree canopies, and shaded areas where people can relax, walk, and gather.
This means:Â
Cooler temperatures in the summer
Cleaner air and better health
Safe, welcoming places for families and community events
This Is About More Than a Road
This is about what kind of city Grand Rapids wants to be.
A place where neighborhoods are connected.
Where streets are safe.
Where local businesses can grow.
Where people—not just cars—come first.
Your voice matters. Attend the workshop, share your perspective, and help shape a future vision for US-131.
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