About Uptown Grand Rapids
Sustaining a Strong and Vibrant Urban District for Our Neighborhoods.
Our Mission and Goals
Uptown GR brings people, partnerships and possibilities together to sustain a strong and vibrant urban district. We have four thematic goals: Uptown Thrives, Uptown Invites, Uptown Moves and Uptown Organizes. Together, these goals help grow the local economy while preserving the distinct character of each business district, attracting visitors through place making and activities and supporting people-first mobility to and within the area.
Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion in Uptown
Uptown is a place where equity thrives.
As an organization, we are committed to taking action that makes all people feel welcome and included in Uptown.
That means we look at all four of our strategic objectives with an equity lens. We begin each monthly board meeting by posing the following challenge as an opportunity to adjust and focus our lens for the work ahead:
How will what we act on, discuss, or inform about, contribute to our forward progress on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion?
If you have ideas related to Uptown’s continuing commitment to taking action to build equity, please send an email to tell us what you believe will inform our next steps. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us as we continue the work that will be essential to Uptown’s welcome to all.
Who is Uptown?
Uptown Boards
Corridor Improvement Authority
Oversees investment of City tax dollars to make improvements to public infrastructure, support specific capital improvement projects and market Uptown. It’s governed by a City-appointed board which consists of local property owners, business owners and one resident of the district.
Uptown Grand Rapids, Inc.
Serves as the fiduciary for planning, management and fundraising for Uptown, its districts and neighborhoods. Sets strategic plans, maintains policies and manages staff and volunteers. Uptown Inc. appoints committee members from a roster of volunteers. Each committee includes an Uptown board member who serves as a liaison between the committee and the board.
Business Improvement District
Self-funded mechanism to maintain, develop and promote Uptown through promotions, awareness campaigns, streetscape enhancements and business recruitment and retention. It consists of non-residential properties in a defined geographic boundary to enhance the district as a destination place for shopping, dining, working and living.
Uptown Committees
Three volunteer-run committees are responsible for planning, implementing and managing activities to support Uptown’s strategic objectives.
Marketing
Promotes Uptown businesses through owned and earned channels, community events and promotional materials.
Business Development
Supports development of current and new businesses and commercial spaces through networking events, seminars and newsletters.
Design
Focuses on streetscape, and public space design and improvements.
Uptown Strategic Objectives
Uptown Thrives
Grow the local economy while preserving the distinct character of each district.
Uptown Invites
Attract people to Uptown through placemaking and activities.
Uptown Moves
Support a people-first mobility plan that advocates for public transit, safety and wayfinding.
Uptown Organizes
Plan, manage and fundraise collaboratively for Uptown, its business districts and neighborhoods.
Join a Meeting
Click the Links Below To Join Meetings or For More Information
Uptown Board / CIA Board / BID Board
Filter:
Annie Bishop
UGRI Board
East Hills Business Association President
Arielle Leipham Ellis
UGRI Board
Fulton Heights Neighborhood Representative
Barbara Davis
UGRI Board
Baxter Neighborhood Representative
Christine Helms-Maletic
UGRI Board
Midtown Neighborhood Representative
Dakota Riehl-Davis
UGRI Board
Eastown Community Association Representative
Dave Stoffer
BID Board
Wealthy St Representative
Dean Van Dis
BID BoardCIA Board
Wealthy St Representative
Emilee Syrewicze
UGRI Board
East Fulton Business Association Representative
Joana Hively
BID BoardCIA BoardUGRI Board
East Hill Business Representative
Johannah Jelks
UGRI Board
East Hills Council of Neighbors Representative
Jon O’Conner
CIA Board
East Hill Business Representative
Mark Miller
UGRI Board
At-large
Mark Stoddard
CIA BoardUGRI Board
CIA Representative–UGRI Board, Midtown Neighborhood Representative
Marshall Kilgore
BID BoardCIA Board
City of GR Commissioner
Mary Reagan-Shapton
UGRI Board
Wealthy Street Business Alliance Representative
Matthew Smith
BID BoardCIA Board
Wealthy St Representative
Ryan Wheeler
BID Board
East Fulton & Eastown Representative
Sarah Rainero
UGRI Board
Economic Development Director, City of Grand Rapids
Steven Martinez
UGRI Board
Eastown Business Association Chair
Uptown GR Team
Ingrid Miller
Executive Director
imiller@uptowngr.com
Dana Kroll
Marketing and Communications Specialist
dkroll@uptowngr.com
Julia Saldivia
Community Engagement Coordinator
jsaldivia@uptowngr.com
Katie Zylstra Event Specialist
kzylstra@uptowngr.com
Uptown Ambassador Program
At the start of 2021, Uptown partnered with Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. to add boots-on-the-ground maintenance to the district. Here are some impressive stats on their impact on our district so far:
•Rubbish removal: 12,218 bags
•Biohazard waste removal: 238 units
•Graffiti removal: 5,724 pieces
•Business contacts: 341
Stats are the culmination since 2021 through 12/31/2024
To report maintenance issues to public spaces within our district, dial: (616) 260-8476
Have an interest in the program or in learning more about career opportunities with the Ambassadors? Reach out directly: (616) 438-4743 rkrenz@blockbyblock.com
Key Projects
Uptown provides financial and volunteer support for strategic projects that promote local businesses in the district, enhance public spaces, attract and retain new investments and engage business and property owners in local decision-making. Read about a few of our recent project initiatives.
Governing Documents
General Board Information
The Uptown Board of Directors organizes the strategic plan and serves as the fiduciary for planning, management and fundraising for Uptown, its districts and neighborhoods. They also set strategic plans, maintain policies and manage staff and volunteers..
