Location: Grand Rapids, Michigan
Client: Downtown Grand Rapids, Inc.
Services
Transportation Planning
Parking Management
Transportation Demand Management
Transit Planning
Grand Rapids Downtown Plan
Sam Schwartz was retained by Downtown Grand Rapids, Inc. and the City of Grand Rapids, as part of the Interface Studio team, to develop a 21st century mobility strategy for Downtown Grand Rapids. The future success of Downtown Grand Rapids will be supported by more transportation choices and integrated technology, grounded in the accessibility and urban character that gives the area its competitive advantage.
One of the key initiatives of the plan was the development of a new City department, Mobile GR, which will be responsible for managing the City’s parking assets, introducing new mobility options to Downtown and building on their success, and working with employers to develop transportation solutions beyond single-occupancy vehicles. This paradigm shift in Grand Rapids will occur quickly to help support future residential growth and changes in transportation demands among millennial employees and entrepreneurs. Sam Schwartz worked closely with the City to develop a five year plan that will introduce a number of new mobility choices, including car share, bike share, free transit, and a Downtown circulator. The plan will also better-align the pricing of the City’s parking assets with demand.