3/22/23 - Mayor Bliss Delivers State-of-the-City Address

Grand Rapids Mayor Bliss outlines accomplishments and focuses on plans to move forward.

(GRAND RAPIDS, Mich) -  Grand Rapids Mayor Rosalynn Bliss delivered her eighth State of the City address Tuesday night. 

She began by emphasizing the collaboration by groups to move the city forward.

“From policing to housing to our local economy and our environment, we are genuinely working to address root causes of issues that have simmered under the surface for generations,” Bliss said. “Now we’re not doing it by hastily pushing top-down solutions. We are working to build from the bottom up – our community coming together, shaping real solutions that actually work in our local context.

“We’re working to build consensus for fundamental, long-term lasting change, and that takes time. But I am motivated and energized about the direction that our community is headed.”

She thanked police Chief Eric Winstrom for his service and the positive strides in public safety over the last year.

She emphasized the city's commitment to addressing the housing crisis and the demand for more affordable housing. "We currently have more than 1,000 affordable homes and apartments in the development pipeline," Mayor Bliss said.

The Mayor also addressed the Grand River whitewater project.  Plans to remove dames in the river will have to be re-submitted.  The project is not over yet.

City parks and the riverfront area will continue to see improvements.

Mayor Bliss also said the area is seeing an explosion of entrepreneurship.  Dozens of new businesses opened their doors in the last year. 

The full address can be viewed on Bliss’ Facebook page at this link.