Kent County invests $24.5 million in ARPA grants to improve outdoor trail system and county road network

Grand River Greenway Trail – $10 million

Kent County is leading the charge to complete a 23-mile trail connection that runs through Plainfield, Cascade, Cannon, Ada, and Lowell townships. This section of trail represents one of the most significant gaps in the regional trail system that must be completed to realize the vision of the full 76-mile countywide trail running along the Grand River. In addition to building trail sections, Kent County will also build trailheads at Johnson Park and Chief Hazy Cloud Park and pedestrian bridges at the Knapp Street crossing and connecting Chief Hazy Cloud Park to Ada Township’s Roselle Park.

“The past three years have seen an explosion of use of our existing trail systems,” said Kent County Parks and Recreation Director Ben Swayze. “This investment will not only complete the most important east-west trail connection through Kent County, but will provide our residents non-motorized access to hundreds of miles and thousands of acres of recreation opportunities throughout the state”

Engineering is planned in late 2023 with trail construction occurring until 2026.

Transforming Kent County's Road Network – $8.5 million

The Kent County Road Commission (KCRC) is implementing its strategic plan to maintain a road network in better condition than any other urbanized county in Michigan, which includes achieving 90% good/fair condition on its primary road system. The KCRC is partnering with eleven townships to complete more than 20 road construction projects. These local governments are matching Kent County’s investment to complete over $17 million in road improvements over the next two years.

“This is a great example of KCRC’s long-standing tradition of partnering with other units of government - in this instance, the County as well as our townships - to maximize investment in our county road system for the benefit of the community we serve,” said Steve Warren, KCRC’s managing director.

April 2023 – November 2023

Local Road Network

• Reconstruction of Wabasis Avenue, 15 Mile Road to Macclain Street (Oakfield Township)
• Reconstruction of Wiersma Street, Algoma Avenue to Simmons Avenue (Solon Township)
• Resurfacing of local roads in multiple townships

Primary Road Network

• Reconstruction of 10 Mile Road, Pine Island Drive to Algoma Avenue

April 2024 – November 2024

Local Road Network

• Reconstruction of Wiersma Street, Simmons Avenue to White Creek Avenue (Solon Township)
• Reconstruction of Macclain Street, Wabasis Avenue to Heintzleman Avenue (Oakfield Township)

Primary Road Network

• Reconstruction of 68^th Street, Thornapple River Drive to Whitneyville Avenue

Wyoming City Center Bridge and Trail Activation – $6 million

The Wyoming City Center project is a multi-phased, public-private development that includes public investment in non-motorized infrastructure and private investment in a mixed-use development. The public investment will provide two new pedestrian bridges, 4.6 miles of new trails and civic space. Overhead power lines along 28th Street between Burlingame and Clyde Park Avenue will be buried to support implementation of the City’s form-based code and improve the aesthetics along this vital corridor.

“The City Center project will provide spaces and trails that invite Wyoming residents and community members to enjoy natural amenities in an urban context while also providing access to living and working spaces,” said Community and Economic Development Director Nicole Hofert. “This project will be transformative for the City of Wyoming by creating a vibrant pedestrian experience for the area and we are so thankful to the Kent County Commissioners for recognizing the significance of this project.” 

This project is adjacent to and facilitates the safe crossing of M-11, which is known locally as 28th Street and is a state trunkline highway. The first phase of this project includes a pedestrian bridge that provides passage over 28th Street and 3.1 miles of new non-motorized trails that create a linkage to regional destinations, including north to Grand Rapids and south to Byron Township.

Construction is expected to start this summer with a target completion of Spring 2025.

Kent County ARPA Funding Background

Last December, the Kent County Board of Commissioners voted to fund 30 projects that draw on the $127.6 million Kent County received through ARPA. In total, more than $108 million was allocated in this round of funding.

The remaining funds have been placed in a contingency fund for unanticipated needs or new/increased expenses to complete a funded proposal. All ARPA funding commitments must be allocated by Dec. 31, 2024, but the County has until December 2026 to spend the funds.

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