Storytelling, Welcoming, Gateways
2024-02-13 16:30 - 17:30 (America/Detroit) | MI
Join your neighbors to develop the story, branding, and events that make the neighborhood unique.
Every second Tuesday of the month at 4:30 PM at DGRI’s office (29 Pearl St. NW).
We’re focusing on telling the stories that make Downtown inviting, accessible, and a great place to be. We’re also excited to dive into real conversations about tough topics that neighbors care about.
Some ideas: on-street interviews, training a story corps of neighbors, sharing the Downtown experience on social media and radio, engaging other neighborhoods to make Downtown the “living room” in the “house” of Grand Rapids.
Meeting dates:

January 9
February 13
March 12
April 9
May 14
June 11
July 9
August 13
September 10
October 15
November 12
December 10

Outreach
2024-01-11 10:00 - 11:00 | MI
Join your neighbors to get the word out! The outreach committee focuses on communicating about events, learning opportunities, and pertinent information that Downtown neighbors need to know.
Every second Thursday of the month at 10 AM at DGRI’s office (29 Pearl St. NW).
We’re focusing on connecting more neighbors to the information they need to know to build relationships in the neighborhood.
Some ideas: developing a Building Champion program to tap into each of the 86 residential buildings in our Downtown, creating a New Neighbor guide for Downtown living, and continuing to build out the Downtown Neighbor Perks program.
Meeting dates:

January 11
February 8
March 14
April 11
May 9
June 13
July 11
August 8
September 12
October 10
November 14
December 12

Neighbor Exclusive! Grand Rapids Downtown Buildings Book Launch
2024-03-21 17:00 - 21:00 | Periwinkle Fog, 125 Ottawa Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503
Join neighbors at Periwinkle Fog for an artists/author meet n’ greet!
Author and Artist Pamela VanderPloeg is releasing a book about Downtown Grand Rapids Buildings. Learn about buildings in the neighborhood – even yours!
From the post-Civil War Era to the mid-twentieth century, the buildings in our neighborhood contain stories worth sharing.
Stop by Periwinkle Fog anytime between 5 PM – 9 PM. Register here: https://bit.ly/DNNbooks.
Neighbors! You can print this poster to hang up in your building. Help us spread the word!

Downtown Community Garden
2024-01-31 18:00 - 19:00 | MI
Pre-Season Education Opportunities: The DNN is partnering with Jade Rabbit to offer educational opportunities for neighbors to create the Downtown Community Garden!
Every last Wednesday of the month at 6 PM at DGRI’s office (29 Pearl St. NW).
The DNN is partnering with Jade Rabbit to prepare educational material, videos, and culturally relevant, multi-generational education opportunities. All ages are invited to join us!

January 31: Ancestral Food Heritage
February 28: Community Gardens + Your Food System
March 27: Planning Your Garden for Abundance
April 24: Planting Seeds + Seed Swap

More details will be announced for the growing season, starting in May 2024!

Mobility
2024-01-08 17:00 - 18:00 | MI
Join your neighbors to discuss and create mobility solutions in and around Downtown. This meeting is open to all Downtown neighbors, and folks who want more mobility options in our Downtown.
Every second Monday of the month at 5 PM at DGRI’s office (29 Pearl St. NW).
Neighbors want to focus on policy initiatives that can positively impact the lives of neighbors.
Some ideas: implement No Right Turn on Red, add more time for pedestrian crossings, create incentives to clean up construction signage and snow to unblock sidewalks and bike lanes, create predictable experiences for accessibility needs.
Meeting dates:

January 8
February 12
March 11
April 8
May 13
June 10
July 8
August 12
September 9
October 14
November 11
December 9

DNN Pizza Party
2024-04-17 17:00 - 19:00 | 130 Ionia SW, 130 Ionia SW, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503
Grab a slice with neighbors in a meet n’ greet at Peppinos!
No agenda, just a chance to meet others who call the Downtown neighborhood home.
Wednesday, April 17, 2024 at 5 PM at Peppinos: 130 Ionia SW.

Game Night!
2024-06-05 18:00 - 20:00 | MI
Get to know your neighbors by playing board games!
Join us at House Rules to learn a new game, teach your favorite to someone else, or just explore the space with others who call the Downtown neighborhood home.
Wednesday, June 5, 6 PM at House Rules Lounge.

Neighbor Night Out 2024!
2024-08-06 17:00 - 20:00 | Studio Park
Join your neighbors for a national event — Neighbor Night Out!
The Downtown Neighbor Network partners with the Heartside Downtown Neighborhood Association each year to offer food, games, and information to neighbors who stop by for an evening of socializing and getting to know one another.
