Grand Rapids — The Planning Commission on Oct. 9 approved a request to hold outdoor events with live entertainment and to operate the accessory parking lot at 45 Ottawa Ave NW as paid public parking, subject to conditions including hours limits, a maximum number of events and a required parking facility license.

Staff described the proposal to convert a surface lot adjacent to Gimme’s Par and Grill into an alcohol service area and event venue for up to 10 events a year, with perimeter fencing, security and temporary facilities for events. The applicant also requested to continue charging for off‑street parking in the lot; staff said a parking facility license would be required if the commission approved that use.

Applicant presentation and operations

Mike Maraz, chief investment officer for Rockford, said the property owners and operators plan limited, seasonal activations — examples included a Saint Patrick’s Day activation, a Kentucky Derby gathering, a chili cook‑off and occasional watch parties — and that event attendance would be capped at about 425 people including staff. The applicant said outdoor events would use perimeter fencing, vendor areas and on‑site security during events; food preparation would be handled in the restaurant kitchen, not in temporary outdoor kitchens.

On the parking request, staff described the current operation with a third‑party operator and noted the applicant intends to operate paid parking directly (the lot currently uses Air Garage). The proposed daily parking fees discussed were roughly $4 per hour up to about $24 per day, with higher fees for major downtown events; the applicant also described 24‑hour access, video surveillance and an on‑call manager for after‑hours issues.

Neighborhood concerns and staff recommendations

Deneen Gilkey, assistant general manager at the nearby AC Hotel, testified that an outdoor stage facing the hotel could harm guest experience if amplified music continued late into the night. Commissioners discussed nearby examples of permitted outdoor entertainment and compared hours allowed elsewhere in downtown.

The commission approved the requested uses with conditions intended to reduce neighborhood impacts: indoor hours were limited to cease by midnight; outdoor alcohol service and live entertainment must cease by 11:00 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and by 10:00 p.m. Sunday through Thursday; the number of outdoor events was capped at 10 per year; events are subject to the city's noise control ordinance; and a temporary use permit is required for each event. The approval also requires the operator to obtain and maintain a City of Grand Rapids parking facility business license for paid parking operations.

Points commissioners emphasized included ensuring coordination with nearby hotels on noise mitigation, clarifying management of the lot (applicant said they will manage parking operations directly), and finalizing the dumpster enclosure and site improvements under the Land Use Development Services (LUDs) permit process.

Outcome

The resolution approving the special land use and site plan review passed by voice vote. Conditions are intended to allow limited downtown activation while restricting hours and ensuring licensing, security and administrative review for each event.