Knapp’s Corner is a highly developed commercial district in northeast Grand Rapids. Originally, storm water was designed to be managed via a large retention/infiltration basin near the northeast corner of Knapp Street and East Beltline. Due to a variety of factors, the basin has not functioned as planned, and in recent years the Drain Commissioner has had to pump and haul water from the basin to the Grand River. An alternate method for storm water management is required.
The Kent County Drain Commissioner will construct an approximately 3-mile-long pipeline from the basin northerly and easterly to the Grand River along Dunnigan Avenue and 3 Mile Road. This will provide a gravity outlet for the basin with no pumping required. Affected roads will be fully reconstructed including safety improvements. Additionally, the existing basin will be modified and expanded to provide additional storm water management capacity. When complete, the basin will have been converted from a retention system to a detention system.
Tree clearing along Dunnigan and 3 Mile is scheduled for Spring 2026. Limited pipe work near the intersection of 3 Mile Road and Grand River Drive is scheduled for Fall 2026. The majority of pipeline installation and road reconstruction in Dunnigan and 3 Mile will occur in 2027. The basin expansion and modifications are scheduled for 2028, with final project completion anticipated in Fall 2028.
Access/Traffic:
Local traffic will be maintained at most times during construction. There may be times when your driveway is inaccessible because pipeline installation or road/driveway reconstruction is occurring in front of your house. The contractor will work with you ahead of time and will make special access arrangements with you if needed.
When work is occurring in Grand River Drive, 3 Mile Road, and Dunnigan Avenue, thru traffic will be detoured around the work area, primarily using Knapp Street and East Beltline.
Mail:
Mailboxes that interfere with construction will be temporarily relocated so that mail service can be maintained during construction. If your mailbox needs to be temporarily relocated, the contactor will inform you of where it has been moved to and when they anticipate it will be returned to its original location.
Garbage Pickup:
The contractor will work with you and your waste hauler to maintain service throughout construction. If construction interferes with your waste hauler’s ability to pick up your garbage, the contractor will temporarily move your garbage bins to a central location and return them to the end of your driveway by the end of the workday.
Water Service:
Your drinking water service should not be impacted by the proposed construction.
In limited areas, the groundwater table may need to be temporarily lowered to install the pipeline. Please notify us of any concerns.
Contact
P&N Engineer:
Kevin L. Gritters, PE, Project Manager
(616) 364-8491
P&N Construction Observer: TBD
Contractor: Kamminga & Roodvoets, Inc.
Kent County Drain Commissioner
Ken Yonker, Drain Commissioner
Joel Morgan, PE, Senior Engineer
(616) 632-7910
