Brian McVicar

Grand Rapids

Reporter at MLive

Reporter for @GRPress, @MLive @michiganstateu alum. Contact me at [email protected]

Articles

DeVos Institute program helps 14 Grand Rapids nonprofits build capacity

3 days ago | mlive.com | Brian McVicar

GRAND RAPIDS, MI — Local arts and culture nonprofit leaders gathered Friday for an event hosted by the DeVos Institute for Arts and Nonprofit Management aimed at helping them strengthen their organizations through marketing, fundraising, long-term planning and more. The event, held at the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel, featured a discussion led by Michael Kaiser, chairman of the DeVos institute and the former president of the John F.
Grand Rapids firm buys North Carolina architecture company MHAworks

5 days ago | mlive.com | Brian McVicar

GRAND RAPIDS, MI — Progressive Companies, a Grand Rapids-based architecture, engineering and construction management firm, is expanding its presence in the Carolinas with the purchase of MHAworks, an architectural firm with offices in Durham, Asheville and Greenville. Meredith Bronk, president and CEO of Progressive Companies, said her company has about 75 employees based in Charlotte, and that the acquisition of MHAworks will help strengthen Progressive’s presence in North and South Carolina.
Rescue mission puts expansion request on 90-day pause amid neighborhood pushback

6 days ago | mlive.com | Brian McVicar

GRAND RAPIDS, MI — Matthew’s House rescue mission has put its request to open an expanded location on Leonard Street NW on pause for 90 days so it can address concerns that its presence in the neighborhood would hurt businesses and public safety. The request, accepted Tuesday by the Grand Rapids Planning Commission, was made jointly by Matthew’s House and the West Grand Neighborhood Organization.
Michigan police group: Hung jury in Lyoya case shows ‘uncertainty’ of charges

6 days ago | mlive.com | Brian McVicar

GRAND RAPIDS, MI — The Michigan Fraternal Order of Police said a Kent County jury’s inability to reach a verdict in the murder trial of former Grand Rapids police officer Christopher Schurr for killing Patrick Lyoya “underscores the uncertainty and controversy” surrounding the case. On Thursday morning, a mistrial was declared after the jury deadlocked.
Amway River Bank Run returns to Grand Rapids for 48th year

1 week ago | mlive.com | Brian McVicar

GRAND RAPIDS, MI — Tens of thousands of people, from spectators to elite athletes, are expected to gather in downtown Grand Rapids Saturday for the Amway River Bank Run, the city’s largest annual sporting event that’s now in its 48th year. Between 10,000 and 12,000 people are expected to participate in the event Saturday, May 10, which includes a 5K community walk, a 5K run, a 10K run, a 25K run, a 25K wheelchair and handcycle race, and more.
Black-owned nightclub vows to refile discrimination lawsuit against city of Grand Rapids

1 week ago | mlive.com | Brian McVicar

GRAND RAPIDS, MI —The owner of a former Black-owned nightclub says he plans to refile a lawsuit alleging the city of Grand Rapids discriminated against his business by denying requests for police to stop ongoing loitering and violence outside the club at closing time. A previous lawsuit filed by Ambiance GR Kitchen & Lounge against the city was dismissed in federal court in October 2024 and state court in January.
Voters pass operating millage requests for 12 West Michigan districts May 6

1 week ago | mlive.com | Brian McVicar

GRAND RAPIDS, MI — Voters approved 12 operating millage requests to support day-to-day operations for students in Kent, Ottawa and Muskegon county school districts on Tuesday, May 6. School districts must pass the operating millage request to receive their full funding from the state for all their students, school districts must levy 18 mills on non-homestead property.
Rockford’s Hotel Rose adds second tenant for ground-floor space

1 week ago | mlive.com | Brian McVicar

ROCKFORD, MI — Hotel Rose, a three-story, 54-room hotel under construction in downtown Rockford, has signed another tenant for its ground-floor commercial space. Direct Aesthetics, a wellness and aesthetics provider, will move from its current location at 27 N. Main St. in Rockford to Hotel Rose this fall, according to a release from Wheeler Development Group, the firm leading the project.
Prominent Grand Rapids restaurateur Paul Lee remembered for community impact

1 week ago | mlive.com | Brian McVicar

GRAND RAPIDS, MI —Paul Lee, a Grand Rapids restaurateur who died of cancer Saturday at age 51, was remembered as loving father and husband, and a community-minded businessman who helped put Wealthy Street on the map as a dining destination. Lee, who owned The Winchester, Donkey Taqueria and Hancock, was passionate about exploring new places, biking and food.
Paul Lee, Grand Rapids restaurant pioneer, dies at 51 after cancer battle

1 week ago | mlive.com | Brian McVicar

GRAND RAPIDS, MI — Paul Lee, prominent Grand Rapids restaurateur who launched The Winchester, Donkey Taqueria and Hancock and co-owned All In Hospitality, has died. He was 51. Lee, who was born in Seoul, South Korea and graduated from East Grand Rapids High School, died surrounded by his family after battling cancer, according to his obituary. He was remembered as a cherished husband to his wife, Jessica, and as a loving father to his three sons: Oscar, Harvey, and Otis.