About the 7th Street Development

Adam Rogalski, Rogo Property Group

A lobbyist for the family that owns Walmart, Rogalski is actively trying to break into the Grand Rapids property development scene. He has received millions of dollars in grants and property tax incentives, though his projects have struggled to get off the ground.

A townhouse development on Powers NW in the West Grand neighborhood was rejected unanimously by the Grand Rapids Board of Zoning Appeals, because the scale of his proposal was deemed contrary to the neighborhood’s interest. The original plan would have worsened existing erosion problems near the site, but Rogalski tried to press forward anyway. Ultimately he was forced to reduce the scope of his development before being allowed to proceed.

Now Adam Rogalski wants to put dozens of townhouses on a vacant lot in the middle of a neighborhood zoned for low-density housing, without regard for the negative impacts it will have on traffic, pedestrian safety, and the natural environment—which includes at least four confirmed wetlands.

Ironically, Rogalski once told the Grand Rapids City Commission, “Just because you’re allowed to develop something doesn’t mean you should develop the maximum amount of what’s allowed.”

With the proposed 7th Street Development, Rogalski is actively trying to build more than what’s permitted under city code—and demanding exemptions from rules that would force him to build at a more reasonable scale.

In short, Rogalski does not care about our neighborhood or the impact his development will have on existing residents. He cares only about squeezing the maximum amount of profit out of this lot.

Construction Simplified

Construction Simplified is a West Michigan-based company tasked with building the townhouse complex in our neighborhood.

First Ward City Commissioner AliciaMarie Belchak is known to have ties to Construction Simplified, where she frequently hosts her “Constituent Coffee Hours.” This conflict of interest might explain why she has consistently ignored residents’ appeals to intervene in the proposed development.

C3A

Create 3 Architecture is the firm responsible for designing the proposed development.

Moore + Bruggink

Moore + Bruggink is an engineering firm responsible for stormwater management on the site. To date, their plans do not address many of the existing drainage issues, much less additional issues that will be caused by the removal of over 200 trees and disruption of groundwater.