Project Name: The Alley
ABOUT THE APPLICANT
Are you applying as a:
DDA or CID
What is the entity’s name:
Grandville DDA
Website URL
http://www.cityofgrandville.com
Twitter Handle
@DtwnGrandville
Facebook Handle
Downtown Grandville
Instagram Handle
downtowngrandville
What is the name of the primary contact for this entity’s application/project?
Theresa Meendering
What are their preferred pronouns?
She/her/hers
ABOUT THE PROJECT
Where will your project take place? (please include city/village too)
A corridor b/n 2 businesses off of 30th in Grandville
Anticipated project launch date
July 31, 2023
Briefly describe your project idea including your role and any project partners.
We are hiring a local group of artists to create and paint a mural on one wall of an underutilized alleyway. By adding lights and bistro tables/chairs to the design, we will create a space that invites residents and staff of the area office buildings to enjoy a coffee or doughnut from local shops.
How do you plan to spend the $5,000 microgrant? Please list and explain the items, services, fees, expertise, etc. that you plan to purchase.
$3000 – mural design and painting
$3500 – professionally installed Tivoli lighting (cost supplemented by matching DDA grant)
$3000 – bright colored bistro table sets (cost covered by matching DDA grant)
Will your project require special permits from the community you are in? For example, anything that requires a street closure or installing a permanent art piece will likely require a special permit from your local governing body or zoning board. If your project is funded, the MML Foundation is happy to help you navigate that process. Please note that all applicants must obtain any necessary permits for their projects, if selected for funding.
No
Rachel’s Notes about the Project
Reviewed 4.17.23. Confirmed member status. Local seniors will help paint the mural. https://seniorneighbors.org/centers/grandville/ Confirmed artist. Confirmed businesses. Confirmed LOS. Realty store is state wide business, local location/agency, which Helen and I decided was okay.
ABOUT THE COMMUNITY
Why does your community need this project?
Our DDA has done a phenomenal job over the past few years undertaking large structural projects like the streetscape along Chicago Dr. and the addition of a farmers’ market pavilion with beautiful green space. But in looking at our downtown, we are lacking in sense of space elements – bright pops of color, inviting gathering spaces and nooks that just invite people to sit and share a chat with a friend or neighbor. There are a few places we have identified in our town that could benefit from a project of this nature. Being awarded this grant would enable us to take the first step in beatifying one of the focus areas.
How will you engage your community in this project?
We plan to hire two local artists with followings of their own who will help get the word out and have asked the Senior Neighbors to join us in the painting of the wall. We also have a local photographer who has offered to take some time-lapse photos of the project from start to finish for us to share on our social media pages. The community will be invited and encouraged to enjoy the space, and we will highlight it every year during our annual Art & Chocolate Walk.
What do you hope to achieve through this project?
We hope to take a dreary and underwhelming space and transform it into a beautiful surprise on the side of our downtown. Our goal is to create a gathering space where community will naturally be built and where the littles who attend preschool across the parking lot will feel wonder as they walk through The Alley to the bakery for an after school treat. We are also currently revising our city food truck ordinance with plans to add a food truck pad on the lot in front of this alleyway. Creating a gathering space where people can eat will increase food truck sales and encourage them to come more often. Finally, we have an empty food business opportunity in one of the buildings near this space. We are looking for a sandwich or soup shop to rent that space, and creating this outdoor seating area could help to fill this empty restaurant.
How will the project celebrate the community’s diversity? Diversity can include different ages, races, cultures, socio-economic statuses, abilities, and more.
The project will be led by a local Grandville artist who makes profit to fund community non-profits like Hand2Hand and Kids Hope. She will be working with Joycelle Shoemaker, a local artist who lives with and is very open about her struggle with autism. We have also reached out to our community Senior Neighbor group, and several of them will be joining the painting for an afternoon. They are excited to leave their mark on the wall.
What resources do you already have to make this project successful? Resources could include things like time, partners, expertise, donated goods/materials/space, matching funds, and more. Please approximate the in-kind value if possible.
The DDA has agreed to contribute matching funds to off-set the cost of the Tivoli lighting and to purchase the bistro tables and chairs.
We also have a local photographer who has agreed to document the project free of charge.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Artist First and Last Name:
Rasii Carlson
Artist Facebook Handle
Rasii Carlson, Rasii
Artist Twitter Handle
Twitter: @RasiiRocks
Artist Instagram Handle
Instagram: @rasiirocks
Describe the artist’s or artists’ work. This is not about credentials—what do they do as an artist?
Rasii Carlson is a portrait and mural artist. She specializes in drawing and painting people but also loves creating new beauty out of old things. She uses graphite and all paints.
How will the artist be involved in this project?
Rasii will take the lead in designing the mural with input from Bellabay Realty and the owners of the Millenium Building. She will sketch the design on the wall and oversee the work of all involved.
Are there other artists involved in this project?
Yes
What are their names and what sort of art form do they practice?
Joycelle Shoemaker is a local artist who specializes in 2D art. Using pencil, ink and acrylics, she says she creating beauty helps when she is dealing with low moods.
How will they be involved in the project?
Joy Shoemaker will be painting the wall with Rasii Carlson.
ABOUT THE PARTNERS
Business 1: Business Name:
Bellabay Realty
Business 1: Business Type:
Service
Business 1: Business Owner First and Last Name:
Scott Grondman
Business 1: Physical Location Address
3960 30th St SW; Grandville, MI 49418
How will this partner be involved in the project?
Bellabay Realty is allowing us to paint the mural on their west wall and to secure lights into the mortar between the bricks. They will be included in the mural design process.
Business 2: Business Name:
The Millennium Building
Business 2: Business Type:
Service
Business 2: Business Owner First and Last Name:
Donovan Visser
Business 2: Business Physical Location Address:
3980 Chicago Dr SW; Grandville, MI 49418
How will this second partner be involved in the project?
The Millennium Building will be allowing us to secure lights into the mortar between their bricks and to place bistro table and chair sets on their path between the two buildings.
Do you have additional partners (business, non-profit, etc.)?
No
What are their names?
What role(s) will they have in the project?
Are they located within the same downtown or business district as the project?
Will your local municipal government be involved in the project? If so, how?
The DDA has agreed to match any grant funds received.
Please upload a letter of support on letterhead for your project from your local governing body (mayor, city/village manager, city/village council member).
https://mmlfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/formidable/19/Microgrant-Letter-of-Support.pdf
IMAGE UPLOADS
Image Caption 1 (if any): The Alley now
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Image Caption 2 (if any): Entrance to The Alley
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Image Caption 3 (if any): The Alley potential food truck pad
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Image Caption 4 (if any):
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