Development Opportunity - 1863 Monroe Ave NW

Published on September 30, 2025

The City of Grand Rapids is seeking a qualified partner to help facilitate the acquisition and development of 1863 Monroe Ave NW, a 3.49-acre riverfront property located on the east side of the Grand River just south of Riverside Park in Grand Rapids, MI. The City seeks to retain reserve space for a 6,000 sq ft facility with outdoor patio space to increase riverfront access and amenities for public purposes while desiring an adjacent development that aligns with relevant strategic plans and neighborhood input. The site offers an opportunity to pursue thoughtful redevelopment adjacent to the river that capitalizes on its proximity to downtown and recreational assets, while ensuring economic feasibility.

Project Goals

The City is seeking a development partner who is committed to the following project goals:

• Increasing public access to the city-owned Grand River Edges Trail which buffers the property from the Grand River to the west.
• Increasing the amenities available to the Creston neighborhood and/or users of the Grand River Edges Trail.
• Increasing density of commercial and/or residential uses on the site
• Maximizing land use
• Enhancing the area-specific character of the neighborhood and its commercial corridors.
• Activating previously underutilized land.

The City is eager to identify a partner for negotiating a mutually beneficial arrangement for this one-of-a-kind opportunity. As such, the City is open to all options related to the ownership and operation of the project and its public uses, including but not limited to:

• Developer-owned and operated
• Developer-owned and City operated through a lease for all or a portion of the spaces
• City-owned and leased (all or a portion) to the Developer or tenants
• Variations on the above

Request for Qualifications

Download the full RFQ here(PDF, 11MB)