Uptown Business Improvement District

Request for Proposals

Uptown Grand Rapids, Inc. (UGRI) is seeking a Landscaping Contractor to install plants in 37 planters throughout the district in the Fall 2024 and Spring 2025 as well as clean and maintain the public right-of-way areas of four Grand Rapids neighborhood business districts. Proposals should include a statement of relevant past experience, examples of contractor work, references, and consultant’s fee schedule.

Please submit proposals via email to Ingrid Miller at imiller@uptowngr.com by Wednesday, March 8, 2024. Review complete RFP here(PDF, 525KB).

 

About the Uptown BID

Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) are special assessment districts, which means they can collect revenues if enough property owners in their district vote to support doing so. BIDs promote and encourage economic vitality and growth in their business districts.  BIDs can use funds to:

  • Support neighborhood businesses through marketing and business development.
  • Provide enhanced service to the district (such as landscaping and street cleaning).
  • Maintain improvements made by a Corridor Improvement Authority.

The Uptown BID encompasses four business districts in their development area: East Fulton, Wealthy Street, East Hills, and Eastown. Uptown also has a Corridor Improvement Authority.


Ongoing Projects

  • Uptown Ambassador Program
  • Tree maintenance
  • Landscape maintenance

Sub-Committees

The Uptown BID currently has three sub-committees that assist the board in the implementation of their Marketing & Development and Financing Plans and recommend projects and activities to the board for approval.

Design Committee

This committee focuses on streetscape, and public space design and improvements. This committee meets on the third Thursday of the month at 9:00 AM.

Business Development Committee

This committee supports the development of new or existing businesses. This committee meets on the third Monday of the month at 9:00 AM.

Marketing Committee

This committee focuses on promoting the work of the Uptown CIA and the businesses located in the development area. This committee meets on the third Wednesday of the month at 3:30 PM.

If you have an interest in joining a committee or learning more, please contact the Uptown Executive Director, Ingrid Miller at imiller@uptowngr.org


Meetings

The Uptown BID meets most months on the first Wednesday at 8:15 AM.


Current Board Members

  • Lynn Happel, Chair (Term Ends: 12/31/2024)
  • Joana Hively (Term Ends: 12/31/2026)
  • Ryan Wheeler, Secretary (Term Ends: 12/31/2026)
  • Matthew Smith (Term Ends: 12/31/2027)
  • Stephanie Johnson (Term Ends: 12/31/2025)
  • Dean Van Dis (Term Ends: 12/31/2027)
  • Vacancy (Term Ends: 12/31/2025)
  • Vacancy (Term Ends: 12/31/2026)
  • Vacancy (Term Ends: 12/31/2026)

Budgets


 Documents and Links


Contact

Ingrid Miller
imiller@uptowngr.com