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City moves ahead on micro‑mobility rules and explores shared parking deck with schools
Summary
Commissioners were briefed on a new mobility ordinance restricting micro‑mobility device riding in Gaslight Village (encouraging users to "park it or walk it") and on exploratory talks with the school district about a multi‑story parking deck; the city and schools agreed to split initial design costs and three public engagement events were announced.
The East Grand Rapids commission heard two city updates: a mobility ordinance that restricts riding micro‑mobility devices on sidewalks in Gaslight Village and a preliminary plan to study a shared parking deck with the school district on Bagley Avenue.
Commissioner Schwartz (reporting staff activity) said the mobility ordinance, effective immediately, targets scooters and other micro‑mobility devices in the downtown area and emphasizes education and positive enforcement this summer. As staff summarized: "park it or walk it" will be part of the outreach messaging and new signage will be installed to encourage compliance.
Separately, city and school officials described exploratory work on a potential multi‑story parking deck to meet school construction needs and provide public parking capacity in Gaslight Village. The city and the school district agreed to split approximately $180,000 in initial design work and scheduled public engagement events (May 27, June 23 and July 22) to solicit community feedback. Staff cautioned the deck is in an early feasibility stage; financing would require public discussion and could involve a ballot question if debt financing were chosen.
Staff told commissioners the deck study will include design alternatives, feasibility checks and a broader parking‑system analysis for Gaslight Village. Officials said the work is intended to surface tradeoffs—visual impacts, costs and operational arrangements—before any formal decision or ballot measure is pursued.
