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EAST EXPRESS | FEBRUARY 2026

As we settle into February, I hope your 2026 is unfolding with moments of warmth and connection. This month is a time to appreciate the heart of winter in East Grand Rapids — from quiet walks around Reeds Lake to cheering on student-athletes and neighbors who make our community shine.

Winter also brings unique opportunities and responsibilities. Please continue to stay mindful on our trails and roadways, sharing paths safely with others and watching for vehicles during these shorter days. A little extra caution goes a long way toward keeping everyone safe.

I’d also like to give a special shout-out to our hardworking snowplow drivers and Public Works staff. Their dedication keeps our streets clear and our city moving through every storm. For questions about our winter weather operations — including snowplowing, salting and street clearing — and to learn more about how the team keeps East Grand Rapids running smoothly all season long, visit eastgrmi.gov/snowplow. 

As we look ahead to the coming weeks, let’s continue to look out for one another, celebrate the season and show the community spirit that makes East Grand Rapids such a special place to call home.

Warm regards, 
Katie

MASTER PLAN UPDATE: PUBLIC HEARING FEB. 10

The Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on the City’s Master Plan update at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 10 in the Commission Chambers at the Community Center, 750 Lakeside Drive SE.  

To learn more and view the current draft Master Plan, visit masterplanupdate.eastgrmi.gov.

COFFEE HOURS

Residents have the opportunity to speak with elected officials at Bagel Kitchen, 2228 Wealthy St. SE:

FINANCE & CITY ADMINISTRATION

NEXT CITY COMMISSION MEETING

The next City Commission meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 17 in the Commission Chambers 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 online.

WINTER PROPERTY TAXES

Winter property taxes will be considered late after Feb. 16, and fees will apply. Details at eastgrmi.gov/taxes.  

UPCOMING PROPERTY ASSESSMENT NOTICES

Property assessment notices will be mailed out later this month. These notices explain how your property was valued as of Dec. 31, 2025 – they are not tax bills.

As a reminder, Michigan law limits how much a property’s taxable value can increase each year. For 2026, the state set that limit at 2.7%, unless the property has been sold or new construction has taken place. 

If you have questions about your property assessment, please call the Assessor’s Office at 616.940.4818 or stop by the Community Center, 750 Lakeside Drive SE, during normal business hours: 8-5 p.m. Monday-Friday. Many questions can be answered by reviewing the property information or talking through how the value was determined. 

Residents may appeal their assessment to the March Board of Review, which will be held 9 a.m.-4 p.m. March 9 and 2-9 p.m. March 10 in Room 107 at the Community Center. This is the primary opportunity to contest an assessment or taxable value. Call the Assessor’s Office at 616.940.4818 to schedule an appointment with the Board of Review.

Details on appeal deadlines, required forms and supporting documentation will be listed on your assessment notice and on the City’s website. Residents are encouraged to review their assessment promptly since appeal deadlines are set by state law and cannot be extended.

STAY INFORMED

If you need assistance signing up for City communications, visit the City office, 750 Lakeside Drive SE, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday.

PARKS & RECREATION

SPRING PROGRAM GUIDE
Registration for residents and nonresidents is open for spring programming. Consider staying active and connected this upcoming season!

PUBLIC SAFETY

PUBLIC SAFETY SPOTLIGHT: OFFICER MARCUS CRUMP
When Officer Crump first came across the City’s recruit posting after moving from Houston in 2021, he was looking for a career to support his growing family. At the time, he worked in private security. What began as an exciting opportunity soon became a calling.

After graduating from both the Grand Valley State University Police Academy and Kalamazoo Fire Academy in 2023, Officer Crump stepped into a role that challenges him daily and inspires him to keep learning. He enjoys stepping up to the plate whenever new challenges come his way.

Off the clock, Officer Crump lives in Grand Rapids with his girlfriend, an aesthetician and talented baker currently launching her own business, and their 2-year-old son. You might spot Officer Crump playing basketball at Lakeside Elementary’s open gym or gaming competitively: He’s a professional Tekken player. A former music producer and self-proclaimed music lover, he enjoys a mix of rap, alternative pop and rock. 

He’s also passionate about constitutional rights, transparency and accountability – values that fuel his work to educate the public and promote trust. He recently completed a special training in Ann Arbor to become a defense tactics instructor. With a strong belief in responsible policing, he’s eager to equip fellow officers with the skills to handle use-of-force situations appropriately and safely. 

“I’ve found my niche in my profession, and I’m excited to grow in it,” he says.

PUBLIC WORKS

WINTER WEATHER OPERATIONS

Curious about our street and sidewalk salting and plowing operations? How we prioritize road routes? How you can help make snowplowing easier for our Public Works team? Get the answers to these questions on our website or view the video below.

When snow events are in the forecast, Public Works asks residents to park in their driveway instead of the street. If you must park in the street, please avoid parking directly across from another vehicle so snowplow drivers can provide safe and efficient service. 

SIDEWALK PLOWING
City sidewalks are plowed once snow accumulation reaches approximately 2 inches and on weekends after snowfall has ended, though not to bare pavement. Priority sidewalk routes near schools are addressed as needed to help ensure safe, clear paths before the school day begins .  

While the City does not provide ice control materials to sidewalks, we encourage residents to help by clearing any remaining snow and ice after plowing. Working together helps keep sidewalks safe and accessible for everyone in our community.  

Public Works continually evaluates and experiments with different snow removal equipment. Pictured above is an example of an ice crusher/snowpack attachment that has proven effective at removing residual snowpack and ice, but the process can be slow. Public Works appreciates your patience and partnership in ensuring our sidewalks are safe for all.

Public Works also reminds residents of a state law that requires drivers to stay 200 feet behind an active snowplow and maintain a 20-foot distance when the snowplow is stopped at an intersection. This helps keep you and our snowplow drivers safe. 

PREVENT PIPES FROM FREEZING 
 During the winter, pipes and water meters can freeze. The City is responsible for water service from the curb stop in the right-of-way to the water main in the street. Property owners are responsible for water service from the curb stop to and throughout their property. 

Here are some tips to help protect your water service pipes:

• Wrap and insulate all water pipes in unheated areas of your home, paying particular attention to pipes near exterior walls.
• Keep the location of your water meter above 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Make sure any garden hoses on the exterior of your home are disconnected and the outdoor faucet is winterized.
• Know the location of your water shutoff valve in case of a leak.

 What to do if your pipes freeze:

• If your pipes freeze and you have water running in your home, turn off the water at your water shutoff – usually located near the water meter – and contact a licensed plumber.
• If interior pipes freeze, do not apply any direct heat to your pipes and instead use a space heater or a blow dryer to heat the area around the piping.
• If your water service stops and the entire interior plumbing and water meter are insulated or located in an area heated above 40 degrees Fahrenheit, please call Public Works at 616.940.4870. Public Works staff will assess the situation and, if the water service is frozen from the curb stop to the main, they will thaw the service line and restore water service. 

CLEAR SNOW AND ICE FROM FIRE HYDRANTS
If you have a fire hydrant near your home, please consider helping Public Safety by keeping snow piles away from the hydrant or shoveling out around it after heavy snow events. Public Safety officers do make the rounds and shovel when necessary, but their immediate duties may keep them from clearing the snow from all hydrants in a timely manner. Thank you for your help!

COMMUNITY PARTNERS 

EAST GRAND RAPIDS SCHOOLS FOUNDATION

Save the date! On Saturday, March 28, the East Grand Rapids Schools Foundation’s annual fundraiser, HURRAH!, will take place in The BIG Room at Silva, 975 Ottawa Ave. NW, Grand Rapids.

Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are available on the HURRAH! page on the Foundation’s website.

EGREEN SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVE

E-GReen is partnering with Friends of the EGR Library to present the Sustainable Neighbors Speaker Series. These monthly speaker events will be held 6:30-7:30 p.m. Tuesday in Room 105 in the lower level of the library, 746 Lakeside Drive SE. 

Upcoming events include:

KENT DISTRICT LIBRARY: EAST GRAND RAPIDS BRANCH

Join us on Saturday, Feb. 7 for Take Your Child to the Library Day, a national celebration of curiosity, creativity and the joy of reading. It’s the perfect opportunity to spend quality time together while discovering everything your library has to offer. We can't wait to see you there!

Below are featured events:

•  Winter Craft Party – 10-11 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 10. Celebrate the snowy season with winter-themed craft-making fun! For all ages.
• Generations in the Making: Bricks at the Library – 1-4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 14. KDL invites parents, grandparents and children to team up and build with bricks in a fun, collaborative environment. Our program encourages families to build with purpose and create something amazing together!
• Down the Block and Through the Years in East Grand Rapids – 6:30-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 17. Take a virtual trip down the streets of old East Grand Rapids via photos, ephemera and anecdotes. Whether you're new to East Grand Rapids or have lived here your entire life, enjoy discussing homes of interest and sharing memories of this beautiful, historic city. For adults.
• The World of Bonsai – 6:30-7:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 23. Explore the fascinating world of bonsai and the techniques and traditions of miniature trees. Learn the history of these living masterpieces and see the bonsai trees – including one that’s 250 years old. Includes a Q&A on how to get started in this ancient horticultural tradition. For adults.
• Hidden Lives, Living Legacies: Black Women of the Progressive Era – 6:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 25. Join local historian and librarian Sophia Ward Brewer for a presentation highlighting the contributions of Black women during the Progressive Era, both nationally and in Grand Rapids. Weaving together stories, Brewer reveals how Black women’s clubs laid the groundwork for social justice movements that continue to resonate today in our communities and the nation.

EAST GRAND RAPIDS PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Registration for Woodcliff Early Childhood Center's 2026-27 preschool and child care programs are now open. Visit egrps.org/preschool to learn more and register. 

WECC is a tuition-based center, meaning there are no residency restrictions to attend. Contact Director of Early Childhood Courtney Van Heck at cvanheck@egrps.org with any questions.

Additionally, if you intend to enroll a kindergartener for the 2026-27 school year, please complete the Intent to Enroll form by Feb. 20. Learn more at egrps.org/kindergarten. For residents looking to enroll in grades 1-12, please email enrollment@egrps.org.

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