City of East Grand Rapids — Public Parking Facility and Pedestrian Safety Bond Proposal (Kent County)

What it does

Shall the City of East Grand Rapids, Kent County, Michigan, borrow the principal amount of not to exceed $9,000,000 and issue its general obligation unlimited tax bonds for all or a portion of that amount in one or more series payable over not to exceed twenty years from the date of issue of each series to pay a portion of the cost of designing, acquiring and constructing a public parking facility located on Bagley on or near the existing East Grand Rapids Public Schools parking lot, site acquisition, site work, traffic signals at Lake and Bagley/San Lu Rae, designing and constructing pedestrian and micromobility safety infrastructure and related expenses and improvements? The estimated millage to be levied in the first year of levy is 0.5922 mills ($0.5922 for each $1,000 of taxable value) and the estimated simple average annual millage rate required to retire the bonds is 0.4925 mills ($0.4925 for each $1,000 of taxable value).

A YES vote means

East Grand Rapids could borrow up to $9,000,000 in bonds of up to twenty years for a public parking facility on Bagley, traffic signals at Lake and Bagley/San Lu Rae, and pedestrian and micromobility safety projects, with an estimated 0.5922 mills the first year.

A NO vote means

East Grand Rapids would not borrow this $9,000,000.

Needed to pass

A simple majority: more than half of the YES and NO votes on this measure must be YES. Leaving it blank doesn't count either way.

Left–right lean

Not a left–right issue: a procedural or local question that liberals and conservatives don't typically split on (AI read of the official ballot summary).

The YES and NO lines are SpectrumVote's plain-language reading of the official text above; the official text is what you vote on.

Official text: source

Background

According to the City Manager's July 29, 2026 memo, the City Commission authorized design work in April on a parking deck shared with East Grand Rapids Public Schools on Bagley Street, designed for about 240 spaces with a drop-off lane and pedestrian path; the schools' contractor estimated $15.2 million to $16.9 million for the two design options priced.

The memo reported that three community feedback sessions drew mostly opposition, especially from nearby residents, and that adjacent building owners and the Bagley condo association raised concerns about access, safety and traffic.

Staff proposed a $10 million bond question; on August 3, 2026 the Commission instead approved up to $9 million by a 4-1 vote (Burdick, Schwartz, Skaggs and Mayor Favale yes; Wessely no; Groff-Blaszak abstaining), after a motion to postpone failed 2-4 and Commissioner Hunter left the meeting, according to the minutes.

At an August 6, 2026 special meeting the Commission approved a corrected resolution fixing a technical error, by the same 4-1 vote with two abstentions.

Put on the ballot by East Grand Rapids City Commission, 4-1 with one abstention, August 3, 2026 (corrected resolution August 6, 2026).

From official source 1, official source 2.

In the news

• East Grand Rapids voters to decide on $9 million parking structure bond millage in November · WGVU, 2026-08-04

Next elections here

• 2028 presidential election · Who has filed so far, from FEC filings

Also on Kent County ballots

• Byron Township — New Millage Proposition: 1.00 Mill for Parks and Recreation Purposes
• City of Walker — Proposal to Authorize a New Additional Millage for Public Safety of 1.75 Mills

All Kent County races and measures →

Quick answers

What does a YES vote on City of East Grand Rapids mean?

East Grand Rapids could borrow up to $9,000,000 in bonds of up to twenty years for a public parking facility on Bagley, traffic signals at Lake and Bagley/San Lu Rae, and pedestrian and micromobility safety projects, with an estimated 0.5922 mills the first year.

What does a NO vote on City of East Grand Rapids mean?

East Grand Rapids would not borrow this $9,000,000.

How many votes does City of East Grand Rapids need to pass?

A simple majority: more than half of the YES and NO votes on this measure must be YES. Leaving it blank doesn't count either way.

Should I vote yes or no on City of East Grand Rapids?

SpectrumVote doesn't endorse anyone or tell you how to vote. Read what a YES and a NO vote each do, and the official text, then decide based on what you want to happen.

When is the vote?

The general election was Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Counts are unofficial until each state certifies its results over the following weeks; your state or county election office has the official results.