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MiCNU will periodically come across connections to strengthen our communities through job postings or local intiatives.  These connections provide opportunities for urbanists and city builders to become involved in the unique places that are represented in the Lake Belt.  Links and brief descriptions of these opportunities will be posted on this page. 

 

If you know of additional professional opportunities that you would like us to consider highlighting, use the contact form below or email us at michigan@cnu.org

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GR Forward Plan Update RFQ

Full RFP: https://downtowngr.org/announcements/2025/07/dgri-seeks-qualified-firms-for-gr-forward-plan-update

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Qualification submittals due: August 29, 2025 by 5pm eastern

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OVERVIEW
Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. (DGRI) seeks a multi-disciplinary consultant team to conduct an update to the existing 2015 GR Forward Downtown & Grand River Plan for Action. The update is intended to continue the positive momentum and build upon the successes of GR Forward while providing strategic guidance for at least the next 10 years.

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PROJECT SCOPE
In light of the significant progress made to implement GR Forward’s recommendations over the last decade, it is time for an update to the Plan. This update is not being done to reinvent GR Forward, but instead to update the existing Plan’s principles and strategies with a focus on understanding current trends/headwinds and supporting continued implementation and success in the next 10 years to continue to build a welcoming and prosperous urban core. This will be accomplished via the following activities/deliverables:

  • Engaging the community to understand perceptions and priorities for Downtown in the decade ahead. As part of the conversation this is an opportunity to educate the community on the current state of GR Forward goals, Downtown and DGRI (and the associated tools) and openly explore new ideas to promote continued progress.

  • Updating a summary of emerging trends (housing, office, etc.) via data collection and market analysis that reveal key issues and opportunities facing Downtown.

  • Providing strategic guidance and recommendations for short-, middle- and long-term investments, planning and operations to maximize opportunities for continued public and private sector priorities in Downtown Grand Rapids by updating strategies for achieving goals. This investment guidance will become DGRI’s work plan by helping to inform budget priorities and should help to inform further transformational investments.

  • Best practice analysis of downtowns and downtown management organizations around the country including a review of funding mechanisms to achieve goals.

  • Establish metrics, key performance indicators and help guide resource allocation.

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