Good morning, Grand Rapids. I’m LeQwane and this is Calder News — wishing you a safe, fun Friday and an even better weekend ahead.
Don’t forget we live in Michigan. With temps hitting the 80s, make sure you soak up every bit of this beautiful weather while it lasts. 🤣
Thanks for taking the time to read Calder News today!
~LeQwane L.
Real Estate Corner
Together with: Smallegan Real Estate
🤝 Share your message with 14,000+ GR residents. Contact me for advertising options before placements in Q4 or Q1 2026 are gone: [email protected]
The Digest
A briefing of local news that matters
Development
Historic Building to Become Housing
Downtown Grand Rapids’ 151-year-old Ledyard Building is set for an $11.4 million makeover, turning three upper floors into 36 apartments. The project would include one and two-bedroom units, with eight reserved for income-restricted households. The building is the city’s second-oldest commercial building and is still home to retail and offices on the ground floor. | Read more
Community
Vacant Riverfront Building Gets New Life?
The city has a rare chance to buy a vacant federal property along the Grand River near Riverside Park. The 3.5-acre lot located at 1863 Monroe Ave. NW was a Marine Corps Reserve Center, but has sat empty for years. The city will host a public input meeting next week Thursday, to hear ideas. If the city decides to use it for something like a community center or housing, the land could be purchased at a steep discount. | Read more
City
New Trash System Could Be Coming
The city is considering handling trash collection for all homes and small apartments. The goal would be to cut down on truck traffic, improve service, and reduce environmental impact. There’s another public conversation happening for this as well next week, Monday (9/15) at Sibley Elementary and (9/18) at GRPS University. | Read more
Parks
Millennium Park Expands
Kent County is buying a residential land on in Walker to add nearly an acre to Millennium Park. The $550,000 purchase will create a new connection between existing parkland, with long-term plans to expand trails if nearby parcels can also be acquired. | Read more
Have news to report? Click here.
Community Feature + Ask GR
Over the last couple of years, the skating wizard has been the highlight of many social media memes, questions, and locals' curiosities.
And earlier this week, he starred in a photoshoot at Calder Plaza.
Talk Of The Town
🐘 GRPM Opens Mastodon Exhibit
A couple of months ago, the Grand Rapids Public Museum announced they were bringing a full-scale replica (and real) mastodon skeleton to its facility. Yesterday, the exhibit was opened to the public.
🫵 Kent County Sheriff’s Office Wants You
Don’t worry, unless you have a reason to 👀… The Kent County Sheriff’s is looking to hire up to 12 patrol officers to step in as a handful of retirements are coming up. View more here.
Business openings:
Qahwah House - A new family cafe located at 2107 E Beltline Ave NE is bringing a touch of Yemeni culture to Grand Rapids
Grand River Makerspace - A community hub for “makers, innovators, and dreamers” is having its grand opening on Saturday.
Sports:
⚾ The Whitecaps have been crowned Eastern Division Champions and are participating in the Midwest League Playoffs.
What’s Happening?
Preview: Events —> Live Music
Friday, September 12th
Honeycrisp Fest | Ed Dunneback & Girls Fruit Farm | (Fri - Sun) 9 AM - 5 PM | $8
Michigan State Pickleball Championships | Belknap Park | (Fri - Sun) 8 AM - 8 PM | Free to spectate, $60+ to participate
Fiesta Mexicana | Calder Plaza | (Fri - Sun) 11 AM - 8 PM | Free
Fork Fest | City Built Brewing Co. | 4 PM - 7 PM | $44
Kidz Night Out: Back-to-School Fun | Bricks and Mini Figs | 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM | $35
Symphony: Beethoven’s Ninth | DeVos Performance Hall | (Fri - Sat) 7:30 PM | $28+
80s Dance Night | Billy’s Lounge | 8 PM | $10
Saturday, September 13th
Community Campout | Ada Township Park | (Sat - Sun) All day | $50
Explore Your Parks: Birding Workshop | Huff Park | 8 AM - 11 AM | Free
Mayors Grand River Cleanup Kick-off | Sixth Street Park | 8 AM - 12:30 PM | Free
Life Surge | Van Andel Arena | 8:30 AM - 6 PM | $32+
PopUP Market | Eastern & Alger | 9 AM - 3 PM
World Monarch Day | John Ball Zoo | 9 AM - 6 PM | $15 +
Sinkin' & Drinkin' Cornhole Tournament | The Holiday Bar | 11 AM - 7 PM | $23
Global Gathering | Garfield Park | 12 PM - 6 PM | Free
Try Hockey for Free | Patterson Ice Center | 1 PM | Free
Rivertown Credit Union Block Party | Lamar Park | 1 PM - 4 PM | Free
Strong Families Celebration | Joe Taylor Park | 1 PM - 4 PM | Free
15 Year Community Jamboree | Vivant Brewery | 1 PM - 9 PM | Free
Costumes and Cocktails | Midtown GR | 6 PM - 9 PM | $49
Grand Rapids Margarita Festival | DeVos Place | 6 PM - 10 PM | $49
"Shake Out" Party | Fishladder Park | 7 PM - 9 PM | $7
Steve Hofstetter | Wealthy Theatre | 7:30 PM | $28+
Borrowed Time | Rapid River Stillhouse | 8 PM - 11 PM | ?
Comedy Jam | Ambroisa Theater | 8:30 PM | $25
Sunday, September 14th
LMCU Bridge Run | Front Ave | 8 AM - 10:30 AM | $15
Ceramics & Pottery Pop-up | Downtown Market | 10 AM | Free
Halfway to St. Paddy's Day w/ Firish | Kusterer Brauhaus | 4 PM - 6 PM | Free
Dining with the Divas | General Wood Shop | 6:30 PM | $12+
Top Upcoming Events
ArtPrize Kickoff Event | September 8th
Dumpling Fest | September 20th
Creston Pride Festival | September 21st
Live Music
Friday, September 12th
Pleasuretown | The Score | 6 PM | Free
Sweet Dee & the Wild Honeys | Horrock’s Tavern | 6 PM | Free
The American Hotel System with Coastal Club and Tom Tippin | Tip Top | 7 PM | $18
The Machine performs Pink Floyd | The Intersection | 7 PM | $21+
Alex Austin, Emily Barnes, Nicholas James Thomsama The Stray | 7 PM | $11
One Love Reggae Band | Taco Borracho | 7 PM | Free
Jesse Cline | Rapid River Stillhouse | 8 PM | Free
Jazz Flux | Speciation Cellars | 9 PM | Free
Saturday, September 13th
Psychoblab Showcase 9 | Tip Top | 9 PM | $12
Mac Miller Live Band Tribute | Elevation | 7 PM | $28
Eli Roe Band | Vander Mill | 7 PM | Free
Motherfolk + Moonbeau + Harper Kill | Pyramid Scheme | 7 PM | $24
Hannah Cohen | Calvin University | 7:30 PM $30+
Sunday, September 14th
Mirador | Elevation | 7 PM | $41
Poppy | GLC Live | 7 PM | $52+
Scoochie Boochie + Groovebox + Waldo | The Pyramid Scheme | $24
*Shows are subject to change, but that’s show biz.
Outside The Plaza
Quick hits of news from cities around Grand Rapids
That’s All For Today…
⭐ If you enjoyed today’s newsletter, copy the link to the post and share it with a friend. Every new reader that joins our email helps.
📧 Get your business in an upcoming issue of Calder News. Let’s talk about how we can put your business in front of thousands of GR locals.
Connect: Linkedin
Made with ❤ in Grand Rapids