How Housing Fuels Vibrant Business Districts
Uptown GR Inc hosts
Housing + Business Districts
Discover how housing and business go hand-in-hand to create walkable, thriving communities — and how you can help shape Uptown’s future.
$0 - FREE to attend | Sept 9th from 6-7:30PM
920 Cherry St SE, Grand Rapids MI
Learn from an expert: Ryan Kilpatrick of Flywheel Companies shares his deep knowledge of housing, policy, and placemaking.
Understand the connection: See how housing drives foot traffic, supports businesses, and sustains affordability in neighborhoods like Uptown.
Join the conversation: Bring your questions, ideas, and insights to this interactive, community-centered session.
Whether you’re a business owner looking to boost your foot traffic, a neighbor who cares about quality of life and affordability, a property owner or investor interested in strengthening Uptown, or simply someone who wants to see Grand Rapids thrive, this session is for you. Together, we’ll explore how thoughtful housing and policy decisions can enhance Uptown’s vibrancy, support local businesses, and create a more inclusive, walkable community — and how you can play a role in shaping that future.
Ryan Kilpatrick
Founder + CEO
Ryan has a background in economic development, affordable housing, neighborhood design, and public finance. As the Executive Director of Housing Next, he helped to define access to housing as a core economic development issue for West Michigan through data-oriented dialogue and partnership with employers, local municipalities, chambers of commerce, and developers. Ryan has 15+ years of experience supporting local units of government, community foundations, and developers with technical assistance and best practice implementation through planning, zoning, process improvement, and the use of financial tools to create economically vibrant communities. He has a Masters in Design from Kendall College of Art & Design and a B.A. in Community Development from GVSU.
What the presentation will be about?
Why housing density and affordability matter to business districts.
How Uptown’s historic character sets the stage for a thriving future.
Practical ways policies, investments, and community actions can strengthen Uptown.
Examples of how other neighborhoods have successfully “turned up the dial.”
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Arielle Leipham Ellis
Arielle Leipham Ellis has a background in community organizing, project management, and technology. She has experience in business district leadership, neighborhood planning, placemaking, community engagement, and streetscape best practices. She currently chairs Uptown Grand Rapids Inc., Cultivate, and the East Fulton Business Association. Arielle is a graduate of GVSU’s political science program.
She spends her free time hosting neighborhood block parties, reading, walking around Grand Rapids, and riding bicycles with her family, friends, and community. She enjoys a good joke and has recently committed to watering her plants more regularly.
Director of Operations
faq
Who should attend this session?
Anyone interested in the future of Uptown and Grand Rapids — including neighbors, business owners, property owners, investors, and community advocates — is encouraged to join.
What will I learn at this presentation?
You’ll learn how housing density, affordability, and smart investment strategies fuel vibrant, walkable business districts. You’ll also gain insights on policies and actions we can take to strengthen Uptown.
Do I need to register in advance?
While walk-ins are welcome, we encourage you to register ahead of time to help us plan for seating and materials.
Is there a cost to attend?
No — this session is free and open to the public.
Will there be an opportunity to ask questions or share ideas?
Yes! The session includes time for Q&A and open discussion so everyone can contribute to the conversation.
What if I can’t stay for the entire event?
We’d still love to have you join us, even if only for part of the session. You’ll leave with valuable insights no matter how long you can stay.
“Strong neighborhoods don’t just happen — they’re built where homes, businesses, and people come together.”
We hope to see you there!
The Uptown Team