Gateway Gets Its Fu

GRAND RAPIDS — A five-year-old beautification plan for a city street on the near northwest side took a giant step forward last week when city commissioners approved a funding agreement with the Michigan Department of Transportation.

The agreement means that the funds for the first phase of the Turner Gateway project are in place and a contractor is on board. The West Grand Neighborhood Organization's plan is to add rain gardens, plantings, fencing and a retaining wall along

Turner Avenue NW

, which runs along U.S. 131 from Leonard to Bridge streets.

"It's a good project," said 2nd Ward Commissioner Rosalynn Bliss.

The first phase consists of beautifying Turner from Third to Fifth streets. The highlight of this stage is the installation of a rain garden across the street from

Union Square

, the former UnionHigh School that Parkland Properties redeveloped into condominiums.

The total project is expected to cost $115,500. The MDOT grant is for $84,500, while WGNO has raised the remaining $31,000.  The construction portion is expected to cost $99,700.

Diversco Construction Co. will manage the project. J. F. New & Associates Inc. is designing the project.