The sunrise has been beautiful the last few days in Grand Rapids. Every day is a new day to be thankful for. At the same time, our world is facing a pandemic, a disruption to our lives, the likes of which we have never seen and will hopefully never see again. I am writing nowContinue reading “Updates on The New Life as We Know It: What are you Doing With Your Margin?”
Tag Archives: community development
Grand Rapids Combats the Affordable Housing Crisis through the Rental Assistance Center
Today was my first day back mentoring my student at a local elementary school in the City of Grand Rapids. I was excited to catch up with my student, what had changed over the summer? One thing that changed, he had moved once again. Having to be concerned about where you will be sleeping at night,Continue reading “Grand Rapids Combats the Affordable Housing Crisis through the Rental Assistance Center”
A Lawyer’s Reflections: The Way That Appears to be Right…But In the End Leads to Disaster.
Today I took a photo of 50 Monroe in downtown Grand Rapids – right across the street from my office. The transformation of 50 Monroe, where my firm’s office used to be located for almost 20 years, is pretty fun to watch. I look forward to seeing the finished product. As I posted a few daysContinue reading “A Lawyer’s Reflections: The Way That Appears to be Right…But In the End Leads to Disaster.”
Business Law Update: A Booming Downtown Real Estate Market Means Businesses Should Pay Careful attention to Contracts.
Happy Tuesday, all. I took this photo yesterday from the skywalk between the Amway Grand Plaza and the DeVos Place Convention Center. I like walking downtown and watching the development unfold. It is an exciting time to be working or living in downtown Grand Rapids. Everywhere you look, real estate development is transforming the town. CheckContinue reading “Business Law Update: A Booming Downtown Real Estate Market Means Businesses Should Pay Careful attention to Contracts.”
Staring Into the Eyes of a Fatherless Generation.
There’s nothing like a Michigan summer. Memorial Day weekend means the beginning of summer – and, consequently, the end of the school year. Today was my last day of mentoring for the school year. Unless my student moves (which is always possible) I hope to see him in the Fall. Most of myContinue reading “Staring Into the Eyes of a Fatherless Generation.”
Calling the Next Generation of Leaders.
Good morning and Happy Thursday! It is a beautiful morning in downtown Grand Rapids! Yesterday was the annual meeting of the Trustees of Mel Trotter Ministries. It was one year ago that my term ended as Board Chair. Last year I shared my reflections on this experience. One of my great joys during thisContinue reading “Calling the Next Generation of Leaders.”
Michigan Law Update: The Neighborhood and Commercial Corridor Food Initiative. Community Revitalization Now Includes Downtown Grocery Stores.
Several years ago ago I took my family to New York City. (and took the below photo). Even amidst the chaos of protecting my 4 young children from darting out into oncoming traffic – we absolutely loved the City. We loved the walk-ability of City life – that you could walk down aContinue reading “Michigan Law Update: The Neighborhood and Commercial Corridor Food Initiative. Community Revitalization Now Includes Downtown Grocery Stores.”
Legal Update: Legislation that Real Estate Investors, Landlords and Veterans Should Keep Tabs on in the New Year.
It is a beautiful and cold afternoon in downtown Grand Rapids today. We head into 2018 with some Michigan Bills that affect Real Estate Investors, Landlords and Veterans. Veterans. The Michigan Legislature is pushing hard to protect those who have served our country. Yesterday MLive posted that the Michigan Legislature is taking up some 50 billsContinue reading “Legal Update: Legislation that Real Estate Investors, Landlords and Veterans Should Keep Tabs on in the New Year.”
Grand Rapids Combats Affordable Housing Crisis – Eviction Prevention Program
Updated: I posted a few years back about Kent County’s Eviction Prevention Program. I just saw this article about Muskegon’s Eviction Prevention Program. Check it out. It is good news to hear that there this program is achieving some success, keeping people out of homelessness. There is definitely more work to be done… You knowContinue reading “Grand Rapids Combats Affordable Housing Crisis – Eviction Prevention Program”
Today I was confronted with the Need For Affordable Housing in Grand Rapids.
Today I did what I routinely do on Thursdays around noon time – I visited the school where I mentor a student. I walked to the classroom and talked with his teacher who told me that this student was no longer enrolled in the school. Just like that, a relationship that I had developed overContinue reading “Today I was confronted with the Need For Affordable Housing in Grand Rapids.”
Purpose Driven General Counsel 