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East Express | October 2025

Friends and neighbors, 

As the leaves begin to change and cooler air settles in, fall is another wonderful season to enjoy our community. I encourage you to take time to walk, bike or simply pause along our beautiful trails and parks to soak in the vibrant colors and crisp autumn days.

October also brings several opportunities to gather with neighbors and enjoy all-ages activities. From 10 a.m.-noon Saturday, Oct. 25, Public Safety will host its annual open house and drug takeback day. This is a great chance to meet our dedicated public safety professionals, enjoy some light refreshments and responsibly dispose of any unused or expired medication.

As Halloween approaches, the Gaslight Village Business Association invites community members to put on their costumes and enjoy an afternoon of trick-or-treating from 4-6 p.m. Oct. 29. This popular event is a fun way to celebrate spooky season together in the heart of Gaslight Village. 

For Halloween night, I encourage parents and caregivers to review Public Safety’s Halloween safety tips to help ensure a safe evening for all.

Whether you are savoring the season’s colors along Reeds Lake, enjoying an afternoon at the parks or joining in one of our fall events, I hope you feel a sense of warmth and connection to our community that makes East Grand Rapids such a special place to call home.

Here’s to a festive October filled with community spirit, safety and the beauty of fall.

All the best,
Katie 

COFFEE HOURS

Residents have the opportunity to speak with elected officials at Bagel Kitchen, 2228 Wealthy St. SE:

• Commissioner Abbie Groff-Blaszak: 9-10:30 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 16.
• Mayor Katie Favale and commissioners Chris Wessely and Ryan Burdick: 8 a.m. Friday, Oct. 17.

GASLIGHT INVESTORS PROJECT

City Commission reviewed the updated concept plan, zoning ordinance amendment and resolution at its Sept. 15 meeting. After public comment and discussion, Commission voted to introduce the ordinance amendment, and City staff is adjusting some of the language based on Commission feedback. 

At the Oct. 6 meeting, Commission will consider the updated draft of the resolution.

Community members can learn more about the proposed Gaslight Investors Planned Unit Development project, along with an approval timeline and FAQs, by visiting the project webpage and signing up to receive email and text alerts. 

FINANCE & CITY ADMINISTRATION

NEXT CITY COMMISSION MEETING

The next City Commission meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 6 in the Commission Chambers at the Community Center, 750 Lakeside Drive SE. 

Community members can also watch the meeting live via the City’s YouTube channel and view minutes and agendas online. 

NOV. 4 ELECTION

The next election is Tuesday, Nov. 4. 

• Register to vote by visiting the Clerk’s Office, 750 Lakeside Drive SE, from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday. The last day to register in person at the Clerk’s Office is 8 p.m. Election Day. 
• Absentee ballots have been mailed out to those currently on our permanent absentee ballot list and to anyone who has returned an application to have one mailed. Request an absentee ballot by visiting our website or visiting the Clerk’s Office during normal business hours. 
• If you are on the permanent absentee ballot list and plan to be on vacation or out of town during this election season, please update your mailing address before leaving, since ballots will not be forwarded by the post office.

Learn more about elections in East at eastgrmi.gov/elections. 

For additional information, visit the Michigan Voter Information Center. 

STAY INFORMED

If you need assistance signing up for City communications, visit the City office, 750 Lakeside Drive SE, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday.

PUBLIC SAFETY

FALL OPEN HOUSE & DRUG TAKEBACK DAY
Public Safety will host its annual fall open house 10 a.m.-noon Saturday, Oct. 25 at the department, 770 Lakeside Drive SE. Bring the kids for treats, refreshments, police/fire giveaways and more.

Public Safety will also accept drug takebacks in the department lobby. This is a great opportunity to safely dispose of unused or expired medications.

HALLOWEEN 
In EGR, trick-or-treating traditionally takes place 6-8 p.m. Oct. 31.

To ensure everyone has a safe and fun evening, Public Safety reminds community members of all ages to review these safety tips. 

PUBLIC WORKS

FALL LEAF PICKUP RETURNS OCT. 13
Fall leaf pickup begins the week of Oct. 13 and goes through Dec. 5. Leaves may be placed in the street, but please don’t obstruct the roadway and storm sewer catch basins.   

Rules and routes can be found at eastgr.org/refusecollection.

ADOPT-A-DRAIN
As the seasons change and leaves start to fall, drains will slowly get covered and may cause localized flooding (as pictured above). Keep your local storm drains clear of leaves and other debris to improve our local water quality and prevent flooding. 

You can adopt your local storm drain by visiting https://www.lgrow.org/adopt-a-drain.

TRAFFIC CIRCLE FEEDBACK
In partnership with the Grand Valley Metro Council, we’re testing temporary traffic circles at the intersections of Lakeside Drive and Reeds Lake Boulevard and Lakeside Drive, Greenwood Avenue and Shopping Center Drive. This will be in place through October, with the goal of testing potential solutions for long-term safety and traffic flow. 

We want your feedback. Please take the survey to share your thoughts regarding these temporary traffic circles.

Please note this is a temporary test. The pilot is shaped by current roadway constraints, and any future options would be better designed to accommodate pedestrian safety and vehicle flow, which may result in different design and layout options.

50/50 TREE PLANTING PROGRAM
Residents can share the cost of a new tree to be planted in the outlawn of their yard – the area between the sidewalk and the street – as part of the City’s tree planting program. Payment is due Oct. 10. Planting takes place October-December. Learn more at eastgrmi.gov/forestry.

CONSTRUCTION UPDATES
Check out the latest construction updates from Public Works, including 2025 road projects and preservation treatments.  

PARKS & RECREATION

FALL MOVIE IN THE PARK
A spooky-themed Movie in the Park is coming your way at 7:15 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4 at John Collins Park, 650 Lakeside Drive SE.

Grab your camp chairs, picnic blankets and favorite snacks to enjoy “Goosebumps” (PG). Costumes are encouraged for extra festive fun! 

Proudly sponsored by The Brouwers Agency, Auto Owners Insurance and Friends of the EGR Library.

WINTER PROGRAMMING
Check out the winter program guide. Community members of all ages are encouraged to say active this winter with adult enrichment activities, youth sports and more. 

COMMUNITY PARTNERS 

KENT DISTRICT LIBRARY: EAST GRAND RAPIDS BRANCH
Kent District Library is pleased to announce the fourteenth annual Write Michigan Short Story Contest.??Writers of all ages are invited to enter, with separate categories for youth, teens and adults. Winning entries will be published, and the top writers will receive cash prizes. 

Below are some featured events:

EAST GRAND RAPIDS PUBLIC SCHOOLS
On the Nov. 4 ballot, East Grand Rapids voters will have the opportunity to decide on two proposals that directly affect funding for East Grand Rapids Public Schools. 

Read EGRPS Superintendent Dr. Heidi Kattula's community letter or visit egrps.org/vote for more information. 

Community members are also welcome to attend a presentation at 6 p.m. Oct. 7 at the Woodcliff Community Room, 2915 Hall St. SE, to learn more about these two proposals.

Additionally, the Board of Education is seeking applicants to fill a vacant trustee seat, with the term running through Dec. 31, 2026. If the appointee would like to serve beyond that date, they must run for election in November 2026. 

Those interested in the position are encouraged to review this notice. Applications are due 3 p.m. Monday, Oct. 6. The Board plans to complete its search, conduct interviews and appoint a replacement by Oct. 28. 

Questions about the appointment process may be directed to Board President Mike Reid at mreid@egrps.org. 

LOWER GRAND RIVER ORGANIZATION OF WATERSHEDS
Read LGROW’s fall newsletter, where it discusses the West Michigan Healthy Climate Plan, rain garden accomplishments, fall tips and more.  

E-GREEN SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVE 
E-GReen, in partnership with Parks and Recreation, invites community members to help remove invasive species in our community from 10 a.m.-noon Saturday, Oct. 18. Meet at the Public Works Complex, 2310 Reeds Lake Blvd. SE. Under the direction of the Kent Conservation District, volunteers will learn how to identify and remove invasive plants.

KENT COUNTY PUBLIC WORKS 
The Kent County Department of Public Works has developed its annual fall recycling guide to educate residents and ensure recyclable and hard to dispose of materials don’t end up in a landfill.

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