South Hill is a neighborhood located adjacent to the southeast edge of Grand Rapids, MI. This neighborhood is proud in upholding its strong sense of community through the generations of improvements and dedication to the betterment of the lives of each resident. Almost a thousand residents in South Hill call it the smallest neighborhood in Grand Rapids. The neighborhood is in the middle of the Madison Square, South East Community Association, and Heritage Hill neighborhoods.
South Hill is made up by its ethnic history that began during the Dutch and Italian immigrants and has been later on becoming a majority African American community. The area has experienced many painful moments during this time. Because of the rising rate of criminal activities, many of the businesses and residents left and made the neighborhood shift its nature and identity of the neighborhood. African American business owners thrived during these trying times that somewhat created a strong, close-knit community.
South Hill is distinct in that it is completely a residential area. Businesses are few in number so most of the locals just travel outside the neighborhood for employment in stores and restaurants that are usually owned by the residents of the neighborhood.
Religious affiliation is rooted in this community for hundreds of years. They greatly shaped the culture of the neighborhood. First Christian Reformed Church, Madison Square CRC, Pilgrim Rest Missionary Baptist Church, and Madison at Ford CRC have been partnering with the community for its growth and development for many years. EZ Grand Rapids Junk Removal
One of the best features of South Hill is their so-called Pleasant Park that was transformed from a parking lot back in 2014. As a part of the mission of collaborative numbers of local community organizations. It prides itself with its green space and playground with equipment that draws a lot of the neighborhood’s residents.
The neighborhood will not get tired of addressing any challenges of gentrification that lingers in this area. South Hill is bounding Heritage Hill which is a Nationally registered historic district with a high value of its neighboring counterparts.
As this little community in Grand Rapids, MI changes through time, leaders of the neighborhood have emerged and empowered positive development in the community. One of the working organizations is Great Lakes Urban where they make sure to foster growth and strength in the neighborhood by putting their feet on the residents’ shoes by listening to their concerns. Asset mapping, and building a social core that links everyone with local organizations that recognizes the strengths of different working components of the whole area.
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