View Other Items in this Archive | View All Archives | Printable Version

East Express | March 2026

As we welcome March, signs of spring are beginning to appear across East Grand Rapids – even as we look back on a winter to remember. This season brought plenty of snow, and I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to our dedicated snowplow drivers and Public Works staff for keeping our streets safe and accessible through every storm. Their hard work makes all the difference in keeping our city moving.

Warmer days are just around the corner, and with them comes the return of yard work and outdoor projects. Yard waste pickup will begin on Monday, April 6, so residents can start gathering branches and leaves in anticipation of the season’s first collection.

March also brings the annual Irish Jig 5K – this year’s is on Saturday, March 14. Please be especially mindful of participants and volunteers along the route that morning and plan your travels accordingly. 

Whether you’re staying close to home or heading out for a spring getaway, we wish you safe travels and plenty of opportunities to rest and recharge. Together, let’s step into spring with renewed energy – supporting one another, celebrating community life and enjoying everything that makes East Grand Rapids such a vibrant place to live.

Warm regards,

Katie

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. Monday, March 16 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.

PROPERTY ASSESSMENT NOTICES

Property assessment notices have been mailed out. 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 way 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.

ABSENTEE BALLOT INFORMATION

Voters have the option to join Michigan’s permanent absentee ballot list, which allows you to automatically receive a ballot by mail before every election.

If you previously requested to be on the City’s absentee ballot application list, you are not automatically included on the state’s permanent absentee ballot list. To check your current absentee ballot status or to join the state’s list, visit Michigan.gov/vote or contact the City Clerk’s Office at 616.949.2110.

No action is needed if you are already included on the permanent absentee ballot list and wish to continue receiving your ballot by mail before every election.

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

SWEETHEART DANCE: MARCH 21
The Sweetheart Dance takes place 5:30-8:30 p.m. Saturday, March 21 at the EGR Middle School gym and cafeteria, 2425 Lake Drive SE.

Join us for this annual event, which includes dancing, crafts, snacks and a themed photo booth – this year’s theme is beach bash! 

For ages 4-12 with an adult chaperone. Register before March 16 to receive a $5 discount: https://secure.rec1.com/.../city-of-east-grand.../catalog.

PUBLIC SAFETY

BICYCLE LICENSING
Public Safety encourages residents to register their bicycles, which significantly increases the chances of getting it back if it’s lost or stolen. 

To get a free bicycle license, visit Public Safety, 770 Lakeside Drive SE, from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday. Remember to bring the bike you want to register.

SPRING BREAK SAFETY TIPS
If you’re traveling out of town during spring break, Public Safety reminds you to lock all windows and doors of your home, garage and any outbuildings. Consider timing outdoor lights to deter theft and waiting until you return to post about your travels on social media. 

PUBLIC WORKS

THANK YOU, SNOWPLOW DRIVERS 
Public Works thanks its snowplow crew for its around-the-clock work and community members for lending a helping hand this winter by shoveling around fire hydrants, parking in driveways and removing residual snow and ice from their sidewalks. If you haven’t seen it, check out this video featuring Leon from our DPW team talking about how residents can help during snow events.

YARD WASTE PICKUP BEGINS APRIL 6
Yard waste pickup begins Monday, April 6. Grass clippings and small, loose yard debris must be placed in paper yard waste bags or reusable containers. Plastic bags are not accepted. The following are current yard waste pickup guidelines:

• Bags and containers placed for pickup must not exceed 40 pounds or a 32-gallon capacity.
• Ornamental grasses must be tied and bundled and must not exceed 40 pounds.  
• Brush must be cut into 6-foot lengths and tree logs may not exceed 12 inches in diameter. 
• All items for collection should be placed on the outlawn – the area between the curb and the sidewalk – rather than the street. 
• In the spring and summer, it is preferred yard waste is not placed for pickup earlier than one day before the scheduled collection day.

For questions about collection routes, schedules or regulations, please call Public Works at 616.940.4870. Learn more about our yard waste pickup operations here.

2026 CONSTRUCTION SEASON

Learn more about all the construction projects in EGR this season at eastgrmi.gov/construction.

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, in Grand Rapids.

Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are available 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

Students in grades 6-12 are invited to submit up to two poems each for a chance to win a Meijer gift card. Then, there's a second chance to win at our 8th Annual Write Michigan Teen Poetry Slam! Submissions are accepted through April 1. Find more information at https://writemichigan.org/teen-poetry-contest/.

Below are featured events:

EAST GRAND RAPIDS PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Registration for Woodcliff Early Childhood Center's 2026-27 preschool and child care programs is 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. 

For residents looking to enroll in grades 1-12, please email enrollment@egrps.org.

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

Stay up to date with all things East Grand Rapids by following us on Facebook and Instagram.