The Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce celebrates GR Planning commission decision to not require a public hearing for new development project

At a recent Grand Rapids Planning Commission they were making some decisions on the $185 million proposed development project on Monroe Ave North, just north of the 6th Street Bridge.

According to a recent article in Crain’s Grand Rapids Business:

“Plans for the 160-room hotel, 20-story apartment tower, and 500-space parking deck closely align with the types of projects city planning officials envisioned for the Monroe North area as they crafted a new citywide master plan.

Aside from the anticipated tax incentives approval process and potential special land uses for commercial tenants, the developer will have no requirements to hold any public engagement involving the project’s design, said Grand Rapids Planning Director Kristen Turkelson.”

The Grand Rapids Planning Director says there is no need to involved the public, even though he acknowledges that there will be tax incentives, also call subsidies, for this new development project. I’m sorry, but anytime there is a major development project on the table, with millions of public dollars be used, you can’t just side step the public hearing process. Especially since this is also a riverfront development project, where the public needs to be able to ask questions about the potential impact such a project might have on the Grand River.

There are some people who are happy that there will be no public hearing for this development project in the North Monroe district. On the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce website, under their “This Week in Local Government” posting for August 14, the primary organization representing the interests of the Capitalist Class in GR wrote:

The City in this case has clear land use requirements that were set with already extensive public engagement processes. The Chamber continues to push for certainty in the development process and this is a great example of progress to reduce delays.

According to the GR Chamber of Commerce holding public hearings on matters that involve the use of public dollars is, a delay in the development process. Such sentiments are standard within the Capitalist Class as they believe they know what is best for everyone else. Besides, the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce says their mission for over 100 years has been, A thriving and prosperous West Michigan for all. How many on West Michigan feel like they are thriving and being prosperous?