Grand Valley Metropolitan Council is an alliance of governmental units in the West Michigan area
that are appointed to plan for the growth and development, improve the quality of the community's life, and
coordinate governmental services. GVMC: Ensuring trust, credibility and confidence in governmental affairs

Latest Developments

GVMC hosted the second public meeting for the FY2014-2017 TIP - On Monday, April 29, Grand Valley Metropolitan Council held its second public meeting for the draft FY2014-2017 TIP. The purpose of this meeting was to solicit input on the entire FY2014-2017 TIP Document and to detail the findings of the Environment Justice Review GVMC performed on the FY2014-2017 list of projects.
The meeting itself featured an informative presentation on the TIP development process, the Environmental Justice review process with multiple maps of transportation projects provided as visual aids, and several staff members were in attendance to answer questions. To view the presentation from the meeting, please click here.


GVMC Holds Street Summit - Monday, April 8, a crowd of over 40 legislators, business representatives, local government officials, and media representatives convened at the Kent County Road Commission for a Street Summit.  The event was a joint endeavor by State Rep. Rob VerHeulen, Grand Valley Metro Council, Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce, Kent County Road Commission, The Rapid, and local officials.  GVMC Executive Director, John Weiss, explained “The Summit’s intent is to bring into focus the deteriorating condition of area roads. In order for West Michigan to prosper, quality roads are imperative.  Rather than advocating for a particular funding method, the message we are sending is Just Fix the Roads.”  House Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee Chair and former City of Walker Mayor, Rob VerHeulen co-sponsored the event. 

The Summit kicked off at 9:30 a.m. at the Kent County Road Commission with presentations from Steve Warren, of the Kent County Road Commission, and Eric DeLong, Grand Rapids Deputy City Manager.  The conclave then embarked for a two-hour tour of the “Good, Bad, and Hardly Passable” of area roads during which business representatives stressed the importance of road condition for commerce.

The Summit wrapped up at 11:45 back at the road commission for a roundtable discussion and luncheon catered by Johnny Braan of Braan’s Kitchen 67. 

For additional media stores on the event see:

Mlive

Wood TV 8

Fox 17 News

 

 

 


TIP DEVELOPMENT UPDATE - On Tuesday, April 9, Grand Valley Metropolitan Council held its first public meeting for the draft FY2014-2017 TIP. The purpose of the meeting was to solicit input on the draft project lists for the FY2014-2017 TIP. Twenty-nine individuals attended the meeting, including an Introduction to Transportation Planning class from Grand Valley State University.

The meeting itself featured an informative presentation on the TIP development process, multiple maps of transportation projects provided as visual aids, and several staff members were in attendance to answer questions. To view the presentation from the meeting, please click here.


Additional $3.7 Million in Carryover Funding Received for Projects - MDOT recently informed Grand Valley Metropolitan Council that $3.7 million in carryover funding from previous years was available to the MPO for FY2013 projects.

To view the draft project list that is being proposed to be funded with this carryover balance, please click here. Please note that the project list includes projects moved forward from FY2014 from the FY2011-2014 TIP, projects moved from TIP illustrative lists into FY2013, and increases in project length and cost.

For additional information, or if you wish to comment on this project list, please contact Darrell Robinson by phone (616.776.7609), email, or mail comments to GVMC’s office (678 Front Ave. NW, Suite 200, Grand Rapids, MI 49504). To fill out a comment form electronically, please click here. To download a copy of our comment form, please click here. Comments will be received through Wednesday, April 24.

To comment in person, please attend GVMC’s next Policy Committee meeting, which will take place:

Date: Wednesday, April 17, 2013
Time: 9:30 am
Location: Kent County Road Commission
1500 Scribner Ave NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49504

The Transportation Programming Study Group will meet in the near future to determine a project list for FY2014, should additional funding become available.


Federally Required Public Comment Period for the FY2014-2017 TIP Has Begun - The Grand Valley Metropolitan Council (GVMC) Draft Fiscal Year 2014-2017 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) project lists are available for public comment. The TIP document describes transportation projects for the next four years. Specific projects include road resurfacing, road reconstruction, bridge replacement, intersection improvements, intelligent transportation system upgrades, as well as non-motorized and transit-related projects.* The draft TIP project lists and a corresponding map are available at www.gvmc.org/transportation/tip.shtml or at GVMC’s office.

A public meeting to discuss the draft project lists is scheduled for:

Date: Tuesday, April 9, 2013
Time: 6:00 pm
Place: Grand Valley Metropolitan Council

678 Front Ave NW; Suite 200
Grand Rapids, MI 49504

If you are unable to attend, written comments will be accepted through Thursday, April 18, 2013. Please send comments to Darrell Robinson by mail (address above), fill out our online comment form here, or call (616) 776-7609. To download an official comment form, please click here.

To view the list of deficient projects considered for improvement during the TIP development process, please click here. To view the list in map form, please click here.

Individuals with disabilities requiring auxiliary aids for services should contact GVMC no later than Thursday, April 4, 2013.
*The inclusion of a specific project does not guarantee construction.


At the February 7 GVMC Board Meeting, Metro Council staff gave the FY 2011/2012 Annual Report Presentation and reviewed the Financial Audit. 
To view the FY 2011/2012 Annual Report, click here.
To view the Financial Audit, click here.


 

Congressman  Bill Huizenga  March Luncheon Speaker
Our next GVMC Quarterly Luncheon will be held on March 11th at the Calvin College Prince Center.  U.S. Congressman Bill Huizenga will be our featured speaker.  The event is being sponsored in part by Lake Michigan Credit Union.
Bill serves on the powerful House Financial Services Committee that regulates the Federal Reserve, the banking industry, federal monetary policy, the FDIC and Securities and Exchange Commission and the Treasury.  He also serves on three critical sub-committees dealing with our national economy.
Bill got his start in both business and politics as a child at the dinner table, where the family was encouraged to discuss both - even if they didn’t always agree. He attended Holland Christian High School, and received his bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Calvin College.
A true advocate for our region, Congressman Huizenga will bring us and inside view of Congress and the “behind in the scenes” viewpoint of the critical issues making the news. 
Please register as soon as possible for this exciting event.  Reserve your tickets or table by clicking here or by contacting Gayle McCrath

Sponsored by Lake Michigan Credit Union  


Legislative Update on PPT Reform.  Our work continues……..(click here)


City-County Consolidations: Promises Made, Promises Kept? (click here) Professor Kurt Thurmaier, Division of Public Administration, Northern Illinois University


Special Transportation Funding Meeting - For the past several months a small group of the Legislative Committee and transportation specialists have been meeting to discuss ideas for the future funding of our transportation system.  GVMC along with the Grand Rapids Chamber and West Michigan Policy Forum all agree that stable funding for Michigan’s transportation system is top priority for our state.  On November 27th from 10:00 to noon, Roger Safford and representatives of MDOT will be meeting with us to present  the latest information and plans for funding our current and future transportation needs.

The meeting will be held at the Grand Rapids Township Hall, 1836 East Beltline NE.


Grand River Sediment Survey - NTH Consultants, Ltd. (NTH) has prepared this Phase II environmental Site Assessment (ESA) Report on an approximately 1.5-mile long stretch of the Grand River immediately north of the 4th  Street dam. The Phase II ESA was conducted on behalf of the Grand Rapids Whitewater Association. The Phase II ESA was performed under the Brownfield Assessment Grant that the Grand Valley Metropolitan Council (GVMC) received from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Click here to view the full report.


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GVMC October 8 Luncheon

The Grand Valley Metropolitan Council, in association with the Grand Rapids Bar Association, presents Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette, October 8, noon at the Prince Center of Calvin College.  Sponsored by Consumers Energy.
Click here for more information.   

Click here to register and pay via PayPal account or via credit card.


GVMC Executive Director John Weiss presented the proposed 2012-13 GVMC budget at its August 2nd Board Meeting.  Final Board approval is scheduled for Thursday, September 6, 2012 after the Public Hearing 8:30 a.m., Kent County Building, 300 Monroe, Grand Rapids, MI.  To review the proposed budget click here. 

Printed copies of the budget are available at the GVMC offices at 678, Front Ave. NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504.


2035 Michigan Transportation Plan Revision – help drive Michigan’s Transportation Future! From 5-7 p.m. on Tuesday, August 14 at the Grand Rapids MDOT Transportation Service Center (2660 Leonard St., NE) the Michigan Dept. of Transportation will be holding a public meeting to gain input to help revise its long-range plan. The open house will feature a brief presentation at 5:15 p.m. and 6:15 p.m. Click here for more information.


Lt. Governor Attends GVMC Board and Quarterly Meeting

Brian Calley, Michigan's Lt. Governor attended the GVMC Board Meeting and Quarterly Luncheon on July 9th.  Speaking first in a casual conversation with the Board of Directors, Calley outlined the administration's goals for future and outlined key issues impacting our state.  Board members asked questions on a variety of topics including the new International Bridge, new state fireworks law and the personal property tax.


Grand Valley Metropolitan Council
678 Front St NW, Suite 200 • Grand Rapids, Michigan 49504.
Phone: (616) 77-METRO (776-3876)• Fax: (616) 774-9292


Popular Links

 

GVMC Board Meetings can be seen on GRTV Charter Communications Channel 24 the second Tuesday and Thursday of the month at 7:00 p.m. Plus, starting November 17th on Rogueview Community TV (RCTV) Charter Communications Channel 22 on Mondays at 11:00 a.m. and 7:30 p.m.