Kentwood - Felder Communications

Kentwood
F I R E
D E P A R T M E N T
FIRE DEPARTMENT
• Three fully-equipped fire stations are staffed
24 hours a day with full-time personnel, and
supplemented by paid-on-call fire fighters
– Station 1 (Administration): 4775 Walma SE
(built in 1992)
– Station 2: 4181 Embassy SE
(completed in 2001)
– Station 3: 5340 Eastern SE
(completed in 2001)
When people choose a
place to live, the safety of the
community is one of the most
important factors. Residents
of Kentwood benefit from a
number of top-quality fire
prevention, fire education and
technical rescue programs that
provide true peace of mind.
• The Kentwood Fire Department (KFD)
performs the following duties:
– Fire prevention (including fire safety
inspections and plan review)
– Fire suppression and investigation
– Public education (including elementary
and secondary school programs,
community CPR, station tours
and parades)
– Emergency medical services
– Emergency management
– Hazardous materials response
– Technical rescue (including high angle,
low angle, confined space, and
trench rescue)
• The KFD employs 49 full-time and 15
paid-on-call people
• Each of the fire stations is equipped with
specialized vehicles to provide rapid response
to fire, medical and other emergencies. A top
priority of the KFD is to continually improve
response times to emergency calls
• In 2002, the KFD responded to 3,912 medical
and emergency response calls. The average
response time from the time of call to arrival
was 5.49 minutes
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Kentwood
P O L I C E
D E P A R T M E N T
POLICE DEPARTMENT
• The Kentwood Police Department (KPD) is
made up of highly educated and well-trained
sworn officers and their support staff who
perform difficult and complex tasks with
courtesy and professionalism
• The KPD is one of the few in the State of
Michigan to be accredited by the Commission
for Accreditation of Law Enforcement Agencies
(CALEA)
A quality police force ensures
a safe, livable community. The
Kentwood Police Department
combines law-enforcement
expertise with an array of
services to stay in touch with
the needs of every resident.
The department’s training
and professionalism instill the
highest confidence.
• The KPD features the Citizens Academy, a
27-hour law enforcement education program
for residents, the first of its kind in
West Michigan (presented twice annually
since 1993)
• The KPD has the only cybercrime investigative
capability in West Michigan, conducting
extensive investigations on internet fraud,
the solicitation of children, and threatening
electronic communications
• The KPD actively participates in joint
operations and investigations with area
law enforcement agencies, including the
Metropolitan Enforcement Team, which
targets mid-level drug dealers
• The Combined Auto Theft Team (CATT),
a joint effort of the Grand Rapids, Kentwood,
and Wyoming Police Departments, consistently
leads the state in successful recovery of stolen
vehicles and offender arrests
• The Kentwood Police and District Court serve
the community from a new state-of-the-art
facility at 4740-4742 Walma SE
• 88% of residents surveyed rated the KPD as
either excellent or good
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Kentwood
D E M O G R A P H I C S
DEMOGRAPHICS
The City of Kentwood has
attracted a diverse crosssection of people from every
walk of life and every type of
background. The scenery is
diverse as well, from large
homes with several acres to
attractive apartment
communities to tight-knit
neighborhoods. The consistent
growth of the city’s population
says it best: Kentwood is a
place where everyone feels
welcome.
• Population is 45,255 and has been growing by
approximately 1,000 residents every year
• Ranked 26th in the state for population
• Average residential value is $120,600
• Median age of the population is 32.4
(2000 Census)
• Housing units in the city total 19,507
with a 95% occupancy rate
• 32% of residents have a bachelors degree
or higher
• Median household income is $45,812
AGE OF RESIDENTS
RACE OF RESIDENTS
50
Black
9.1%
Asian
5.6%
Other
3.9%
40
American Indian
.5%
4.9
11.8
36.9
20
46.3
30
10
an
d
ov
er
-7
4
White
80%
75
55
-5
4
25
U
nd
er
25
0
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Kentwood
T H E
E C O N O M Y
THE ECONOMY
• Kentwood is ranked in the top 20 in the state
in Total Equalized Value
A favorable economy has
helped the City of Kentwood
build a strong base of
businesses in the area. That,
in turn, has led to more
economic growth, better job
opportunities, increased
development and a steady
gain in population. The city’s
economy stands up very well
when compared to other
communities of its size.
• There is no city income tax
• Businesses find it convenient to locate in
Kentwood because of easy access to
transportation, including the Gerald R. Ford
International Airport, major highways and rail
freight routes
• The city’s diverse economy has enabled an
unemployment rate that is consistently lower
than the county, State of Michigan, and
the U.S.
• The city has one of the lowest millage rates
in the state for communities of over 20,000,
without an income tax
EMPLOYMENT BY KENTWOOD
RESIDENTS BY INDUSTRY
Wholesale Trade
5.8%
Other
7.5%
Construction
4.1%
Manufacturing
24.8%
Retail Trade
13.2%
Finance,
Insurance,
Real Estate
7.4%
Art & Entertainment,
Recreation,
Food Service
6.1%
Transportation,
Warehousing,
Utilities
3.6%
Professional, Scientific,
Management, Administrative
9.4%
Education, Health,
Social Services
18%
Based on 2000 Census data
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Kentwood
P A S T
A N D
F U T U R E
PAST AND FUTURE
The land that once became part of the City of Kentwood has long been valued for its
hardwood forests and its fertile soils. As early as the 1830’s, pioneers came to settle
in the area known as Paris Township. Barney Burton became the first to pitch his
camp and build a house in present day Kentwood. The entire county celebrated his
“barn-raising.” Land speculators recruited in the East and other settlers soon joined the
community. The names of these early settlers remain on streets and businesses in the
former Paris Township (now Kentwood)—Godwin, Guild, Laraway, Patterson, Spaulding,
and others. Thus, Kentwood’s roots grew deep in the soil as farmers planted and
harvested crops, raised livestock, and became involved in the development of what
was then called Paris Township. As time passed, however, those farms gave way to
development and, by 2002, only one working farm remained in the city—the Heyboer
Centennial Farm.
In 1967, Paris Township incorporated to ward off annexation by Grand Rapids and
became the City of Kentwood. Since that time, Kentwood has continued to experience
economic growth without sacrificing the community spirit demonstrated during its
agricultural heyday. Housing developments now grow in fallow fields, while industrial
expansion flourishes along intersecting highways. Nevertheless, Kentwood’s heritage
has not been forgotten as evidenced by the recognition of historic sites and the
maintenance of a Heritage Room at the Kentwood Public Library.
The Historic Preservation Commission of the City of Kentwood has worked to
preserve the city’s past through their work on the following activities:
•
•
•
•
•
Designating historic sites and buildings
Recognition of the city’s agricultural roots
Honoring those that have defended our country’s freedom
Recording the memories of residents
Providing information to be used in teaching children the importance of history
Although it’s a relatively young city, Kentwood has grown into a vital, thriving part
of West Michigan. Throughout its history, the community has attracted enterprising
leaders and residents intent on realizing their vision for the future. With such a rich
heritage, there’s no doubt that there will always be great things in store for the
City of Kentwood.
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Kentwood
P R I M A R Y
I N D U S T R I E S
PRIMARY INDUSTRIES
• Kentwood is a regional employment center,
home to a diverse selection of companies,
including Steelcase, Lacks Enterprises, Inc.,
Meridian Automotive Inc., Yamaha Music Corp.
and The Knoll Group
• Top industries include industrial machinery and
equipment, office furniture, fabricated metal
products, health care services, furniture
suppliers, automotive suppliers and medical
device manufacturers
• There is industrial land available for
development
Top-tier businesses have
flocked to the City of
Kentwood because of its
proximity to a variety of
transportation options, its
quality of life opportunities
for employees and its
economic stability. Several
areas within the city are
open for further development,
offering industrial,
manufacturing and retail
companies — both large
and small — a solid base
of operations.
• Qualified businesses may receive tax
abatements under the provisions of
Public Act 198 of 1974, as amended
NUMBER OF JOBS PER
INDUSTRY IN KENTWOOD
Manufacturing
9,998
Wholesale Trade
3,845
Retail
5,718
Real Estate, Rental & Leasing
504
Professional
Scientific & Technical
1,096
Administrative & Support
2,195
Education & Healthcare
Arts & Entertainment
712
315
Hospitality & Food Services
2,798
Other Services
1,026
Based on 1997 Census data
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Kentwood
P A R K S
&
R E C R E A T I O N
PARKS & RECREATION
• The scenic 2.5-mile Paul Henry/Thornapple
Trail is ideal for walking, jogging, biking or
rollerblading, and features easy access,
smooth pavement and trailside parks
• There are more than fourteen well-maintained
parks within the community
• Sports leagues, including softball, basketball
and soccer are available to residents
A true community is one
where there are plenty of
opportunities to have fun,
stay fit and active, and get
to know your neighbors.
The Kentwood Parks and
Recreation Department
not only sponsors a variety
of sports, fitness and
leisure activities, it has
also developed an
impressive number of
parks and green spaces
that offer something
for everyone.
• The Parks & Recreation Department offers
a wide variety of athletic and non-athletic
activities for adults and children, including
volleyball, hockey, racquetball, bowling,
archery, art classes, kayaking, swimming,
Bible study, karate, fitness and yoga
• Many programs are also offered for seniors,
including therapeutic recreation, bridge,
computer classes, dance, golf and quilting
• Community events include Celebrate
Kentwood, Trailfest, National Night Out,
Kentwood Safety Day and the annual
July 4th Parade
• Residents can volunteer for coaching and
officiating roles at sporting events
• Other sports programs sponsored by private
entities are available to area residents
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Kentwood
R E S I D E N T I A L
L I F E
RESIDENTIAL LIFE
• The City of Kentwood is served by four outstanding
public school systems—Kentwood, Forest Hills,
Kelloggsville and Caledonia. Options for private or
parochial schools are also available within the city
Kentwood offers a full range of housing options, with
single family homes ranging in price from $50,000 to
$1,000,000, with median home value at $120,600.
Rental communities exist in the city too, with median
rent at $586 per month (2000 Census)
The best testament to a solid
community is the people who
choose to live there. Our
residents make their homes
in Kentwood because of the
friendly, open environment —
and because they’ve
found everything they
need here: welcoming
neighborhoods, comforting
churches and nurturing
schools. It’s a place that
brings people together.
Kentwood has consistently been one of the top
communities in terms of new housing starts, with an
average of approximately 200 single family starts
each year for the past 12 years
There is a strong sense of community, as indicated by
the 14 neighborhood associations serving the area’s
neighborhoods
• Services provided by the city include:
– Snow plowing
– Leaf collection
– Public water and sewer through the City of
Grand Rapids and the City of Wyoming
water systems
– Road paving and maintenance
– Fire Department protects the city through its
three fully-equipped fire stations
– Police Department has 71 sworn officers and
29 support staff/cadets to serve the community
– Engineering services, including drain maintenance,
plan review and driveway permits
– Recycling program is available
– Recreational programming and facilities
– Kentwood Branch Library is centrally located in
the community offering the resources of the
Kent District Library as well as local programs
for both adults and children
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Kentwood
R E T A I L
E N V I R O N M E N T
RETAIL ENVIRONMENT
• Woodland Shopping Center, the region’s top
shopping center, draws as many as nine million
visitors a year — featuring more than 100 retail,
specialty shops and restaurants, including
Williams-Sonoma, J. Crew, Marshall Field’s,
JC Penney, Banana Republic, Sears and
Max & Erma’s
Retail is a strong and
vital aspect of the City of
Kentwood. A variety of
alternatives, from small
specialty boutiques to larger
retail stores and malls are
located in the area, ensuring
residents and visitors of
a high-quality shopping
experience. There are
several retail centers and
dining establishments to
choose from — all within
easy reach.
• The 28th Street corridor boasts high-profile
retailers like Target, Barnes & Noble, Cost Plus
World Market, Office Max, Home Depot,
Lowe’s, Circuit City, Pier 1 Imports, CompUSA,
and Petsmart
• There are 267 retailers (1997 Census),
located in the city, including MC Sports,
Design Quest Furniture, D&W Food Centers,
Gordon Food Services Marketplace,
and Horrocks’
• Popular dining options and specialty food
stores include Panera Bread, Don Pablo’s,
TGI Friday’s, Outback Steakhouse,
Red Lobster, Ruby Tuesday, Chili’s,
Mountain Jack’s and Cheddar’s
• The sales draw of the city’s 28th Street
corridor is one of the highest in the state
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Kentwood
S C H O O L
S Y S T E M S
&
E D U C A T I O N
SCHOOL SYSTEMS
& EDUCATION
• There are four outstanding public school
systems within the City of Kentwood —
Kentwood, Caledonia, Forest Hills
and Kelloggsville
• Parents can also choose from other highly
regarded private schools
• These systems serve more than 8,000
students throughout the community
• Average student to teacher ratio is 17.5:1
Education should not just
teach, but also inspire, lead
and challenge young minds.
The City of Kentwood is proud
to offer a variety of quality
educational opportunities for
our children — schools that
feature compassionate
educators, current
technologies, and academic,
social and athletic programs
that allow each student to
become the person he or
she wants to be.
• Schools are located in neighborhoods
that provide bright, comfortable learning
environments
• Classrooms feature computer learning centers
that are upgraded on a regular basis
• Individual and group instruction is available
• Students can get involved in a variety of
extracurricular activities at nearly every
grade level
• Athletic programs throughout each system
are strong and well-supported
• College-track preparatory programs are
available for students beginning in 7th
grade to prep students for the next level
• Respected colleges and universities such as
Aquinas College, Calvin College, Ferris State
University, Grand Rapids Community College,
Grand Valley State University, Kendall School
of Art and Design and Western Michigan
University are all in close proximity
• Areawide vocational school opportunities
are available
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Kentwood
T R A N S P O R T A T I O N
TRANSPORTATION
• Convenient access to the Gerald R. Ford
International Airport (GFIA) — Michigan’s
second busiest commercial airport
• Serves as the regional hub for air cargo
• The GFIA serves nearly 2 million passengers
a year to destinations worldwide and features
non-stop connections to Washington D.C.,
Memphis, Dallas, Cincinnati, Columbus,
Chicago, Detroit, New York, St. Louis, Toronto,
Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Atlanta and Minneapolis
The City of Kentwood’s
central location means you’re
connected to any destination
you choose — whether by car,
plane or train. Residents and
employers enjoy fast,
convenient access to the West
Michigan area and beyond. So
it’s just as easy to get your
product to locations across the
country as it is to get to the
grocery store down the street.
• The regional bus system conveniently
connects Kentwood riders to adjacent cities
• Amtrak’s Pere Marquette offers passenger
rail service to and from Chicago
• Newly opened South Beltline offers Kentwood
businesses and residents more convenient
access to I-96
• Private jet rental and corporate jet hangars are
available to businesses
• Three national freeways and five state
highways cross the area
• Other rail service for goods and raw materials
Driving distance to:
N
East Paris
East Beltline
E
W
I-96
28th St.
S
oo
ve.
rA
East Paris
Ave.
Division Ave.
m
ad
Bro
52nd St.
60th St.
Patterson Ave.
Shaffer Ave.
Breton Ave.
44th St.
48th St.
Kalamazoo
miles
miles
miles
miles
miles
miles
miles
miles
miles
miles
miles
miles
Ave.
352
184
301
331
160
296
63
279
426
185
379
139
Eastern
Cincinnati
Chicago
Cleveland
Columbus
Detroit
Indianapolis
Lansing
Milwaukee
Pittsburgh
Toledo
Toronto
Traverse City
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Kentwood
E C O N O M I C D E V E L O P M E N T C O R P O R AT I O N
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
CORPORATION
• The Economic Development Corporation (EDC)
was formed to coordinate and implement the
economic development activities of the City
of Kentwood
• The EDC members are appointed by the
mayor with approval by the Kentwood
City Commission
• All members are residents of the City of
Kentwood, representing a variety of
businesses and industries
Kentwood’s Economic
Development Corporation
(EDC) acts as a liaison
between city government and
the business community to
attract, retain and expand
businesses within the
community. The EDC Board
Members and their staff work
with various branches of the
government in enhancing
resources that are available
to businesses.
• The EDC supports local economic
development through its low-cost loan and
grant programs, and by offering limited
obligation revenue bonds
• The EDC promotes regional economic
development through its support of The
Right Place, Inc., an economic development
agency involved in the attraction,
retention and expansion of businesses
in the Grand Rapids region
• The city provides tax abatements for
qualified businesses under the provisions
of Public Act 198 of 1974, as amended
• Contact: Lisa Golder, (616) 554-0709
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