Our History

Early 2000’s

Streetscaping project included redoing of bus stop and sidewalks, relooked at truck traffic

2016

Change.org “Get the Truck Off” online petition to get MDOT to transfer ownership to Grand Rapids

Tactical street calming demonstration at Plaza Roosevelt from September 30-October 10 which tested the viability of bump-outs, crosswalks, ADA accessible ramps, seating, and landscaping within the public right-of-way. In collaboration with the City of Grand Rapids and Habitat Kent, the demonstration resulted in countless trucks and vehicles slowing and yielding to pedestrians.

2017

MDOT transfer of section of road to the City of Grand Rapids (triggered by ASP)

2019

Mobile GR & Traffic Safety review all truck routes (ordinance had not been amended since 1981)

2020

• Roosevelt Park Neighborhood Association (RPNA) created a neighborhood video about crosswalk safety with the YMCA
• Advocacy phone calls with Coalition organized by West Michigan Sustainable Business Forum (WMSBF)
• RPNA submits a letter of support to the City Commission in support of the ordinance amendment being proposed, signed by current and former coalition members.
• City Commission approves truck route ordinance amendments.  Cesar E. Chavez Avenue is downgraded from a truck route to a major route (August, 2020)
  • Designated Alternative Routes:

2021-22

With the support of an Environmental Justice Grant from Grand Rapids Community Foundation, WMSBF and RPNA conducted the following activities:

• Engagement with Southwest Business Association
• Created billboards with the message that “Grandville is no longer a truck route.”
• Conducted volunteer data collection on truck traffic through the neighborhood
• Developed communications framework to inform and educate businesses generating truck traffic
• Created and circulated an open letter of support

Commercial vehicle traffic studies were conducted by the City of Grand Rapids (Spring 2021 and February 2022)

Speed limit changed to 25mph throughout entire corridor

2023

RPNA applied for a 3-year EPA grant application under the title of, “IMAGINE Initiating Meaningful Action for Green Inclusive Neighborhood Environments.”  The proposal was supported by West Grand Neighborhood Organization, Hispanic Center of West Michigan, Bengt Arnetz (MSU College of Human Medicine), Warren Rempel , Kent County Health Department, United Way and Corewell Health, however, the application was not selected for funding.

RPNA was awarded a grant from the Grand Rapids Community Foundation for engagement and community organizing in the neighborhood to elevate environmental justice and community safety concerns related to heavy truck traffic on Grandville Avenue.

RPNA was awarded a grant from Wege Foundation for Addressing Environmental Impacts of Truck Traffic to Improve Community Wellness.  The SHRPN (Safe & Healthy Roosevelt Park Neighborhood) Coalition begins meeting monthly.

The SHRPN Coalition holds their first event, Community Walk for Safety, in October.

Cesar E. Chavez Avenue undergoes reconstruction from Clyde Park to Hall St which will include narrowing lanes to slow traffic and make trucks uncomfortable and installing wiring for future rapid flashing beacons.