THIRD SPACE |noun|

(Urban studies, sociology) A social space separate from the two usual social environments of home (“first place”) and the workplace (“second place”). 

WHAT?

Eastown. One of Grand Rapids’ longest standing and most well-known neighborhoods. And for good reason: For generations, Eastown is where community members and visitors alike have known to head for great shops, regionally famous fare, welcoming neighbors, historical homes and buildings, and beloved events. It’s walkable and inclusive. It’s fun for friends and families and folks of all ages.

But there is one thing that time and time again has been asked:

“Where’s our Eastown Third Space?”

“Where’s our Eastown Third Space?”

— Eastown & Uptown GR visitors

Huh? Here’s what we mean…

Where can we hang out together in Eastown that’s easy to get to, centrally located, and freely accessible for all? A spot that is casual, convenient, and comfortable? A spot where we can head to relax and have fun and make friends and support local business, together? A place to enjoy food, art, music…a spot to play with the kids and to welcome newcomers and catch up with our neighbors? To connect and to get to know each other a little bit better?

Good questions, right? Well great news: A collective of your Eastown neighbors have a fresh idea to address these questions and we want you to be a part of this grand experiment.

The planning committee, led by Uptown GR, Inc. and the Eastown Community Association, seeks to install a temporary outdoor community space (we’re calling it a pop-up park) in the heart of our community! And then, with your help, we will gather data and watch what happens.

It’s time to see if this idea has legs!

What in the world is that?

The Hublot is the somewhat unique, pie-shaped parking area that is located between Wealthy Street and Lake Drive . While technically a through-way for Ethel Street, the city of GR also offers parking spaces around the space’s interior perimeter. The format has caused issues and consternation for both drivers and pedestrians for years. Is it a street? Is it a walking path? Is it a parking lot?

There’s a pretty compelling argument to be made: surely this space could be better utilized to safely support the local community and economy

The planning committee will conduct a 60 day pilot program in which we’ll install a pop-up park in this Hublot. We’ll temporarily close the vehicle access points for safety, and then we’ll activate it with as many fun engagements as we can.

Here are just some of our activation ideas:

  • Comfortable seating areas for neighbors to relax and connect

  • Family-friendly play zones

  • Rotating food trucks and mobile vendors in designated areas within the parklet

  • Space for live performances and local art, comedy shows and open mic nights, you name it

Throughout the experiment, the committee will seek your feedback and observe how the space is used. Our goal will be to learn what works (and what doesn’t) so we can shape the future of the park in a potentially permanent way that reflects the heart of Eastown: inclusive, creative, and people-first.

Let’s reimagine it together…

What comes next?

Before our experiment can proceed, we’ll need two things:

One - Approval from the City of GR

We’re in the process of accessing our permits, now. The pilot program kick-off date will be determined by when these permits are finalized. We’ll be sure to keep this page current with the latest information regarding when we’ll be able to begin.

Two - Your first thoughts

Before any closure or park installation, community feedback sessions will be held in the Uptown Church parking lot. These drop-in sessions will be a chance for neighbors and local businesses to learn more about the project, ask questions, and share ideas. Stay tuned for these dates as well.

QUESTIONS? Let’s Review

Will this overlap with the planned Wealthy Street consturction?

We understand that the upcoming 2026 Wealthy Street construction will be very disruptive, and we want to assure business owners that it is not the planning committee's intention for the hublot to be closed in any way during the construction. Business continuity and access will remain top priorities throughout the construction period.

How can I get involved?

We’d love your help! Attend our community feedback sessions; volunteer to help activate the space; or simply come enjoy the space and let us know what you think about how it’s all working, once our experiment is live.

How long will it last?

The pilot will run for 60 days, starting after permit approval and installation is completed.

Can I still park nearby?

Yes! While the pop-up park will be closed to your vehicles, street parking and other nearby lots will still be available. In addition, our committee is in discussion with the owners of various district private lots with the intent to utilize their spaces as publicly available parking, as well. We project that overall, we’ll incur a net loss of around 3 spaces or less, while simultaneously adding this incredible asset to the district. Check out the map below to plan your visit by car.

Contact Us

Have other questions or suggestions?