[{"_1":2,"_98":-5,"_99":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,86],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6098474,"mediaKeyId","2823620-14b83ce7bc0ab04b3156c03792fe8140","parentId",2823620,"title","Entrepreneur seeks city support for esports regional finals; city highlights summer youth jobs program","audioSeconds",5370,"startMs",629000,"endMs",5999000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2823620-14b83ce7bc0ab04b3156c03792fe8140&start=629&end=5999","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2823620-14b83ce7bc0ab04b3156c03792fe8140/thumbnail_629000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6098474/Grand-Rapids-City/Kent-County/Michigan/Entrepreneur-seeks-city-support-for-esports-regional-finals-city-highlights-summer-youth-jobs-program","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6098474-5959a164bd7215b5ce7639bb2d272ed3/orig.mp4?Expires=1770437089&Signature=Uj9VxFxPwIxyzTRj5hcnNmhOPiSMUxO6xItaENkjk0xZqsjriLJ9xxtR4KO1~tQJ12hncLC3MXrL8sZFaWMpZFnXJzDPmodfte~hMakLN7yfimYEA7m-u~QE3HgWKzbmvCvcsgAyZu3FzDyMXIX3rCDRID76eC3NhfNwSn~Z9qnvZNYNDG-76P8KyQ74kzpT9tOnuTiIeZfoIgvegoq-WxRXyPfnsnWBpdBYndxtTRVl5b77tR-2BPlGCVlaMBwVA4EQl3g36pgXsmwDUZp68bA1UR4N-N8KvrvzUkKSdtEj6Tw5u~PE-PPd6LXvHLZU3LxiCYEzAv4yxZoNp4-IAA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","The City of Grand Rapids","date","2025-03-25T00:00:00Z","article","Dee Jones, an entrepreneur and local esports advocate, asked the Grand Rapids City Commission during public comment on March 25 to support a planned three-day regional esports finals event at DeVos Place during November’s Comic Con and to help develop local esports lab partnerships for high schools.

Jones said she has helped establish esports labs at several local schools, is collaborating with Ferris State University and Kent ISD, and sought city support for a regional finals event that she said would draw students from across Michigan and beyond. “I’m helping this school build an Esports lab… I know the future things that I’ve been doing in the last seven years,” Jones said. She provided a handout to commissioners and asked the city to support a summer program partnership tied to esports education and college scouting.

City program announcement: In staff remarks later in the evening the city highlighted its summer youth employment program. City staff said the summer program will serve youth ages 15 to 24, pay $13 per hour, run 20 hours per week between June 9 and July 18, and accept applications through April 25. The program is administered as a summer employment initiative and was presented alongside other neighborhood investment updates that include more than $7.5 million in federal funding for housing and supportive services.

Why it matters: Advocates said an esports regional final and in-school esports labs could create new educational pathways and local economic activity tied to events at a downtown venue. The city’s summer employment program provides a near-term employment opportunity for local youth; staff presented application deadlines and wage details during the meeting.

What the commission did: Commissioners did not act on a request to sponsor the esports event during the meeting. Commission members thanked Jones for the presentation and encouraged continued collaboration between event organizers, local schools and city staff.

Next steps: Jones said she is developing the event and partnerships with higher-education advisors and asked commissioners to consider supporting the program in future budget or partnership discussions. City staff will accept applications for the summer youth program through April 25 and expects placements in June.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Commission Meeting - Commission Night Out - March 25, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","An entrepreneur asked the commission to support a planned three-day esports regional final at DeVos Place and partnerships with local schools and colleges. City staff also announced a summer youth employment program offering $13 per hour for eligible youth.","taxTitle","Grand Rapids City, Kent County, Michigan","taxId",3704,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6098479,"Grand Rapids commission adopts zoning changes, declares necessity for Uptown BID assessment; reports received",0,6005000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2823620-14b83ce7bc0ab04b3156c03792fe8140&start=6005&end=6005","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2823620-14b83ce7bc0ab04b3156c03792fe8140/thumbnail_6005000.jpg","/articles/6098479/Grand-Rapids-City/Kent-County/Michigan/Grand-Rapids-commission-adopts-zoning-changes-declares-necessity-for-Uptown-BID-assessment-reports-received","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6098479-9b4efaa7eb18f25604962b4d1b9185e0/orig.mp4?Expires=1770437089&Signature=CxatG~XwfO2pcW7ZIZT2wLEZHurMfSozXMC4SVpRnWU7qCNs3VfkF297UmadLUeYl770FGX7zd13EPs-puT8mQjuAzg3NV4bc8PYfLWaopN995SK4v5bPPXTfXvy~9hZk-8vr50XO8TsiSBdfntCdC2z7fg3YFgabxbgg-2tUT1UcvPnkhLVBHaqjNaARlXChCODnJatw2xkN4JRtm9jX3uSSbJFIzTH0U6-JxQURl4~YODuVlllIIGj58mp2MpYt7uuYknzYa93g9L7PIvWrFazOS9bBYlncJ75sbA4gfONyT6Nq1DzW5lTlRhAFxV1zpXkHmvwnhH6D7B3uz~MiQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Grand Rapids City Commission on March 25 adopted two amendments to the city zoning code, approved a resolution declaring the necessity of a special-assessment roll for the Uptown Business Improvement District (BID), and received routine financial reports.

Votes at a glance
- Uptown BID special-assessment roll (Resolution declaring necessity, roll number 8796): Passed; Commissioner Belczyk abstained from the vote because her property is affected. The resolution continues the BID assessment for a new five-year term beginning July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2030. The Uptown BID board recommended approval of the plan.
- Zoning map amendment (add properties to Downtown Height Overlay District DH-2A): Adopted by roll call; commissioners recorded unanimous yes votes during the roll call (Commissioners Robbins, Purdue, Knight, Belczyk, Kilgore, Esauce and Mayor Mary LeGrand recorded “yes”). The amendment corrects mapping language tied to a prior rezoning and incorporates the properties into the DH-2A subarea.
- Zoning ordinance amendments (Grand River Overlay District and alternative-energy/rooftop solar provisions): Adopted by roll call; commissioners voted yes (recorded votes included Commissioner Perdue, Knight, Belczyk, Kilgore, Sasse, Robbins and Mayor Mary LeGrand). The Grand River Overlay change reinstates building, parking and landscaping requirements removed in a prior amendment. The alternative-energy change allows rooftop solar panels to be sited in the location best suited for energy collection without requiring an administrative departure.

Other reported items
- Comptroller’s warrant report (period 02/25/2025 through 03/10/2025): Received and filed; warrant total $33,682,297.98.
- Treasurer’s report (period 02/26/2025 through 03/07/2025): Received and filed.
- Consent agenda: Approved by voice vote; items reflected committee approvals and were not pulled for separate discussion.

Who moved and procedural notes: The Uptown BID resolution was moved from the floor; Commissioner Belczyk announced an abstention due to property interests after consulting the city attorney. The two zoning ordinances were considered on set dates following prior planning commission recommendations and public hearings; roll-call tallies were read by the city clerk at each adoption.

Implementation and next steps: The Uptown BID assessment roll moves forward in the process after the commission’s declaration of necessity; the two ordinance adoptions take effect according to the city code’s timing for enacted zoning amendments. No separate referral or delay was recorded in the meeting minutes for these items.","At its March 25 meeting the Grand Rapids City Commission adopted two zoning ordinances and approved a resolution initiating the Uptown Business Improvement District special-assessment roll. The commission also received the comptroller’s warrant and treasurer reports and approved the consent agenda.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6098484,"Residents urge Grand Rapids City Commission to adopt sanctuary policies as ICE fears grow",2551,910000,3461000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2823620-14b83ce7bc0ab04b3156c03792fe8140&start=910&end=3461","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2823620-14b83ce7bc0ab04b3156c03792fe8140/thumbnail_910000.jpg","/articles/6098484/Grand-Rapids-City/Kent-County/Michigan/Residents-urge-Grand-Rapids-City-Commission-to-adopt-sanctuary-policies-as-ICE-fears-grow","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6098484-c2203b42733e9eb3bb73e230c72ae8fc/orig.mp4?Expires=1770437089&Signature=AS7YicF~C3wR9nPqJYRqZ2Qs-ZJKbSU-5~xjIazLF2lUo60e9K9hKTpNhZQcdRMDgmdZnzG7eZUG12jle7YBhZ9EsIT1qMYPUwR5fd-OHntHHSVUmi7XMfqjyCRD2OQkdOIajhys~~52jc-CxCQouoHtu51XjViDAdmELSj8HPrthVpa6qSUp3IcPFNnEt1ECuke3GgXppzjIt1EDom9mfmuMjTm4BDZzWeRnelPlg5pzxTBbGCVF3VCscgFXMs0oNWeAhxRQrze1dR2t~QHFFW~lskcsRLmG8lBWombhLVz~BtM4~Isbd9pMt-57YfPvLEmXXtDzB82KFqVQZsD~Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dozens of residents urged the Grand Rapids City Commission on March 25 to adopt sanctuary policies limiting local cooperation with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), arguing such measures would protect immigrant neighbors and families.

Speakers at the meeting’s single public-comment period said they wanted the city to restrict information-sharing and deny voluntary cooperation that goes beyond federal requirements. “Please enact sanctuary policies that restrict the amount of information that the city and or the jails can in fact give to ICE,” said Sheldon, a Second Ward resident, who asked the commission to “only give the mandatory required information.”

The requests were raised repeatedly. Corbin, a resident who read the Fourteenth Amendment aloud during public comment, framed the issue as protecting due process. Jeff Smith, a Second Ward resident involved in local immigrant-support work, listed specific policies a sanctuary framework would include, such as limiting local arrests for federal immigration violations, prohibiting inquiry into immigration status by city employees and blocking 287(g) agreements that deputize local officers to enforce federal immigration law. “Adopting these policies,” Smith said, “would not give people false hope, but it would provide concrete acts of solidarity and support to the undocumented community.”

Why it matters: Supporters told commissioners they fear deportations and family separations and see local policy as the clearest immediate protection the city can offer. Speakers cited national reports and local examples to argue that city-level limits on cooperation could reduce community trauma and advocate for alternatives to enforcement-focused responses.

Commissioner responses and limits: Commissioners acknowledged the public concern but emphasized legal and fiscal constraints. Commissioner Purdue said adopting sanctuary policies at the city level could constitute “an unfunded mandate” and warned of possible state or federal funding repercussions; she said the city must weigh local control and budget impacts. Commissioner Belczyk apologized for earlier remarks and invited continued dialogue. Commissioner Knight and others said they welcome conversations and noted upcoming town-hall-style opportunities to continue the discussion.

No formal action: The commission did not introduce or vote on an ordinance or formal directive at the March 25 meeting. Several commissioners offered to meet individually with residents and staff to explore options. Commissioner Belczyk and others pointed to planned town halls and meetings with state legislative representatives as next steps; dates mentioned included a March 31 event and an April 3 event in the Second Ward focused on state-level engagement.

Context and competing views: Speakers opposing or urging caution about sanctuary designations were not prominent during the night’s public comment; advocates told the commission they have submitted thousands of signatures in favor and reported few formal public oppositions. Commissioners also noted practical constraints—chief among them legal limits on municipal authority over federal immigration enforcement and concerns about potential funding losses.

What was not decided: No ordinance was introduced and no vote on sanctuary-status policies occurred. The commission’s statements were limited to pledges to keep hearing from residents, to meet with stakeholders, and to monitor legal and fiscal risks. Residents pressed for a concrete timeline; the commission instead emphasized continued engagement and follow-up at staff and constituent meetings.","Dozens of residents used the public-comment period to press the Grand Rapids City Commission to adopt local policies limiting cooperation with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Commissioners expressed sympathy and outlined constraints, but no formal action or ordinance was taken.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Entrepreneur seeks city support for esports regional finals; city highlights summer youth jobs program

Grand Rapids commission adopts zoning changes, declares necessity for Uptown BID assessment; reports received

Residents urge Grand Rapids City Commission to adopt sanctuary policies as ICE fears grow