Mayor Rosalynn Bliss highlighted housing affordability and bettering community police relations as important areas to improve upon in her annual state of the city address.
Mayor Bliss says the city’s economic turnaround will only be a success if it benefits all residents.
“We need to be a place where a rich variety of residents not only feel accepted and want to call Grand Rapids home, but can afford to do so,” Bliss said.
Bliss says the city will continue to prioritize mixed-income housing development proposals in the future.
Grand Rapids has faced criticism from its residents and people around the country for how separate incidents involving young black kids and the city’s police. Bliss says all Grand Rapids residents deserve to feel trust and safety when dealing with police.
“No matter what neighborhood they live, no matter their background, no matter what,” she said.
Bliss says the city is continuing to foster communication between the police and the communities they serve.
Bliss highlighted the city’s continued economic success and public-private partnerships as things the city is doing well.
“A big part of our city’s history is success through collaboration. We are a city that works because we work together,” she said.
