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East Express | October 2024

A MESSAGE FROM THE MAYOR

Friends and neighbors,

I hope you’re all enjoying your fall here in East Grand Rapids. From Friday night lights at Memorial Field to the upcoming Harvest Festival and Terrifying Tuesday trick-or-treat event in Gaslight Village, there’s so much fall fun planned this month. I hope to see you out on the town! I extend a big thank you to City staff and event organizers for making all these great events and programs possible.

I also wanted to share a few important updates. First, Public Safety’s annual open house is 10 a.m.-noon Saturday, Oct. 26. Additionally, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., residents can safely dispose of any unused or expired prescription medications at the drop box in the Public Safety lobby, 770 Lakeside Drive SE. 

As the presidential election nears, I encourage all eligible voters to cast their ballots whether that’s absentee, early or on Election Day. Our elections staff is happy to assist you with any questions. Be sure to visit the City’s elections webpage for additional information. 

As the days get shorter, I would like to take a moment to reiterate our shared responsibility of  roadway safety – whether you’re a pedestrian, cyclist or driver. Read more about all the actions the City is taking to promote road safety here. Additionally, with less daylight

Speaking of safety, be sure to read through these Halloween safety tips from Public Safety for your little ones. 

Wishing you a fun and safe October ??.

All the best, 
Katie 

COFFEE HOURSResidents have the opportunity to speak with elected officials in-person at these upcoming coffee hours:

• Mayor Katie Favale with First Ward Commissioner Kate Skaggs: 10:30 a.m. Friday, Oct. 4 at Bagel Kitchen.
• Mayor Katie Favale with State Representative Phil Skaggs: 10:30 a.m. Friday, Oct. 25 at Bagel Kitchen. 
• Third Ward Commissioner Abbie Groff-Blaszak: 9-10:30 a.m. Oct. 24 at Bagel Kitchen.

FINANCE & CITY ADMINISTRATION

NOV. 5 ELECTION INFORMATION 
With the presidential election about one month away, the Clerk’s Office encourages voters to make a plan of how they would prefer to cast their ballot. Voters have several options:

• Absentee ballots have been mailed out to those on our list. They also are available to pick up in person 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday at the Clerk’s Office, 750 Lakeside Drive SE. Voters can also complete an absentee ballot application and email it to the Clerk’s Office or fax it to 616.940.4884. Absentee ballots are issued at the Clerk’s Office only, not at polling locations. Absentee ballots will be tabulated on election night. 
• Early votingwill take place in Room 105 at the Community Center, 750 Lakeside Drive SE on the following days and times:
  • 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 26-27
  • 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Oct. 28
  • Noon-8 p.m. Oct. 29
  • 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Oct. 30
  • 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Oct. 31
  • 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Nov. 1
  • 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Nov. 2-3
• On Election Day, polls will be open 7 a.m.-8 p.m. Find your polling location by referencing your voter information card or by visiting mi.gov/vote. View the precinct map here. 

The Clerk’s Office also welcomes community members to view the tabulator accuracy testing at 8 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 9 in Commission chambers, 750 Lakeside Drive SE. 

EGR voters will also have the opportunity to use a voter assist terminal at each precinct, including the early voting site. The VAT is an electronic voting machine that allows users to cast their votes directly on the machine by touching the screen. It securely records votes and does not allow for mistakes, such as cross-voting or over-voting on specific sections. VATs are designed to be easy to use for voters of all abilities. Learn more about VATs by visiting the Michigan Secretary of State webpage. 

For more information on elections in East, visit eastgr.org/elections.

CITY COMMISSION MEETINGS
The next City Commission meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 7 at the Community Center, 750 Lakeside Drive SE. 

Community members can also watch the meeting live via the City’s YouTube channel and view minutes and agendas here.

PARKS & RECREATION  

WINTER GUIDE
The winter program guide is now available to view here. Resident registration begins Oct. 10 and nonresident registration begins Oct. 17.

MASTER PLAN UPDATE SURVEY
The Parks Department seeks your input in helping update its Master Plan – a document that guides city leaders in the future vision and development our community’s parks.    

The survey is open Oct. 4-Nov. 4. Additionally, community members are invited to an open house and input session 5 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 29 in the Commission chambers, 750 Lakeside Drive SE. 

Learn more here.  

MANHATTAN PARK IMPROVEMENT PROJECT UPDATE
Construction for the Manhattan Park Improvement Project is underway. The project will include renovated tennis and sand volleyball courts, dedicated pickleball courts, a pavilion, community splash pad, redesigned playground with universally accessible poured-in-place surfacing, improved pedestrian access, new restrooms and landscaping. The scheduled completion date is June 30, 2025.

Crews have installed safety fencing around the work areas. The athletic fields outside of the construction area will remain open during construction as well as the restrooms and the Fred Bunn Multiuse Trails. Pedestrian access from the west parking lot to the athletic fields will be maintained throughout construction. Reference the image above for details. 

Learn more about the project here.

PUBLIC SAFETY

FALL OPEN HOUSE & DRUG TAKEBACK DAY
Public Safety will host its annual fall open house 10 a.m.-noon Saturday, Oct. 26 at the department, 770 Lakeside Drive SE. Bring the kids for treats, refreshments, police/fire giveaways and more.

Public Safety will also accept prescription drug takebacks in the department lobby. This is a great opportunity to safely dispose of unused prescription medications.

HALLOWEEN
In EGR, trick-or-treating traditionally takes place 6-8 p.m. Oct. 31.

To ensure everyone has a safe and fun evening, Public Safety reminds community members of all ages to review these safety tips.

REMINDER TO LOCK UP
Join your neighbors in locking your home and vehicle during this busy time of year. Public Safety encourages residents to participate in the #9PMRoutine – a national initiative that helps community members remember to take simple measures at 9 p.m. each night to keep their possessions safe. This includes bringing in items such as snow removal equipment, toys and other personal items, locking your house, garage and vehicles and turning on outside lights to deter theft.

Learn more about the #9PMRoutine here.

PUBLIC WORKS

FALL LEAF PICKUP RETURNS OCT. 14
Fall leaf pickup begins the week of Oct. 14 and goes through the week of Dec. 2. Leaves may be placed in the street, but please don’t obstruct the roadway and storm sewer catch basins.  

Rules and routes can be found at eastgr.org/refusecollection.

ADOPT-A-DRAIN
As the seasons change and leaves start to fall, drains will slowly get covered. Keeping your local storm drains clear of leaves and other debris can improve our local water quality and prevent localized flooding. 

You can adopt your local storm drain by visiting https://www.lgrow.org/adopt-a-drain.

MASTER PLAN SURVEY
The Planning Commission has recently begun the process of updating the 2018 Master Plan. Since the plan was adopted six years ago, four subareas of the community have been identified as meriting additional study – Gaslight Village, Eastown, Greenwood and St. Stephens. The Master Plan acts as a guiding document for City leaders, outlining a clear vision for our community’s future and path to achieve it. 

Learn more by visiting the Master Plan webpage and share your opinions in the survey. 

This website will be updated throughout the planning process with survey results, meeting calendar and other materials. 

CONSTRUCTION UPDATES
View the latest construction updates, including street and sidewalk upgrades thanks to the voter-approved 2024 Street and Sidewalk Millage, on our website. 

When driving through a work zone, please be mindful of crews, pedestrians and traffic.

TREE PLANTING PROGRAM
As part of our tree planting program, residents can share the cost 50/50 with the City to plant a new tree in the outlawn of their yard – typically the area between the sidewalk and the street. 

Place your tree order by Oct. 8. 

Learn more here.

COMMUNITY PARTNERS 

 GASLIGHT VILLAGE BUSINESS ASSOCIATION 
From 4-6 p.m., the Gaslight Village Business Association invites community members of all ages for a fun afternoon of trick-or-treating, a scavenger hunt, crafts, retail and restaurant specials and more at participating Gaslight Village businesses 4-6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 29.

EAST GRAND RAPIDS SCHOOLS FOUNDATION
Last chance for tickets! The Foundation's Community Service and Distinguished Alumni Awards Dinner is less than two weeks away. This year's Distinguished Alumni honoree will be U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink, EGR High School class of 1987. The Community Service honorees are Leslie Hooker and Suzanne Wilcox, the founders of Beer City Dog Biscuits who are being recognized for their work and advocacy on behalf of people with disabilities. 

You can register to be a sponsor or get your tickets here.

EGR HARVEST & BEER FESTIVAL
Save the date for the inaugural EGR Harvest & Beer Festival 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19 in Gaslight Village. Attendees can enjoy pumpkin painting, scarecrow building, cider and donuts, live music and wine, spirits and local beer tastings. Event admission is free; the tasting requires tickets.

Learn more here.

EAST GRAND RAPIDS PUBLIC SCHOOLS
The PTO Council invites the community to attend the Board of Education Candidate Forum on October 7, 2024. Please see the flyer for more information. 

EGREEN SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVE
The E-GReen Sustainability Initiative invited community members to its monthly sustainable neighbors series, sponsored by Friends of the EGR Library. The series takes place 6:30-7:30 p.m. in Room 105 of the EGR Community Center, 750 Lakeside Drive SE. 

• Green Burial Options – Tuesday, Oc.t 15. Presented by Peter Quackenbush or West Michigan Burial Forest. 
• Invasive Species: Protecting the Environment – Tuesday, Nov. 19. Presented by Ryan Wilenski of the Kent Conservation District. 
• Engaging with Community Wildlife Through Community Science – Tuesday, Dec. 17. Presented by Travis Kurtz, community science coordinator of the John Ball Zoo. 

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