NACD 2026 Summer Meeting

For over 17 years Grand Rapids Whitewater has been at the center of efforts to bring the namesake rapids back to Grand Rapids. The project has served as a catalyst for significant riverfront development that is reshaping the role the Grand River plays in our community. This presentation will take a deep dive into the original vision for the project, examine the history of the Grand River, discuss what happened to the rapids, identify setbacks the project faced, and showcase the new vision for the Grand River. Rather than a series of reflecting pools, our river will become alive with the sound and mist of moving water—and will once again justify the name Grand Rapids.