GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — The West Grand Neighborhood Organization hosted a meeting to discuss new details about the proposed soccer stadium in downtown Grand Rapids.
Many community members came to the meeting to express their concerns to the board as they discussed new supporting factors for the soccer stadium project.
"Because right now we know, the west side is where it's at!" said one member at the meeting.
The West Grand Neighborhood hosted a meeting at The Mitten Brewing Company to discuss more details about the 8,500-seat soccer stadium to be added to the area. The soccer stadium is expected to be a big attraction to downtown Grand Rapids.
Deputy City Manager Kate Berens said, "This is something that is part of the next wave of Grand Rapids positioning itself really as the place people want to be and a premier destination in the Midwest."
Planners say the city could see an economic impact of over 400 million dollars once completed. The board is currently completing the application process before construction starts-- which is expected to be built near the downtown YMCA.
Executive Director of Grand Action 2.0 Kara Wood said, "We have a long road to go before we get to construction, but certainly we're in the process of submitting an application for a special land use approval. And that application will be filed yet this month, with the hope that it would be considered by the planning commission by the end of March. That will determine our next steps forward."
The soccer stadium is expected to help boost the economy and bring numerous jobs to downtown Grand Rapids.
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