Community Projects

The Township can have multiple projects occurring at a time during the year.

30th Street Cemetery Expansion Project
Cascade Pathway Expansion Plans
Laraway Lake - Special Assessment District (SAD)
Lower Village Plans
PFAS & Well Water Resources
Thornapple River - Special Assessment District (SAD)
Township Facilities & Service Study

30th Street Cemetery - Expansion Project

Earlier this year, Cascade Township held a public meeting to introduce a potential project to expand the 30th Street Cemetery. In case you are unaware, the Township owns approximately 6.5 acres of undeveloped land as part of the 30th Street Cemetery. With the stock of available sites at the cemetery limited, the Cascade Township Board is considering a potential project to expand the cemetery to allow for more burial spaces.

After listening to resident feedback, the Township has redeveloped the 30th Street Cemetery expansion project concept. Among other changes, the access drive from Leyton to the cemetery expansion area has been removed, slopes near the west property line have been reduced, and the “buffer” area around the new cemetery area has been increased to 50 feet with evergreen tree infill. This project is now being presented to the Township Board for consideration. Should the Township Board decide to move forward with the project, it is anticipated construction would begin in 2019.

Below are the details of the upcoming meetings:

30th Street Cemetery Expansion – Township Board Introduction Meeting
Wed, January 9th at 7:00 pm (Regular Township Board Meeting)
Wisner Center - 2870 Jacksmith Avenue SE Grand Rapids, MI 49546

The Township has developed some potential 30th Street Cemetery expansion project concepts. Please click on the links below for more information.

Revised Conceptual Plans - January 2019

Conceptual Design Meeting Letter

Revised Conceptual Plans

Preliminary Plans

REGIS - Cemetery Finder

Cascade Pathway Expansion Plans

The residents of Cascade Township approved a pathway expansion millage in November, 2018. Please click the link below to view the pathway millage map and plans for Pathway #4.

2018 Pathway Millage Map

Pathway #4 - Burton St. - Patterson Ave. to Highridge Ln.

Laraway Lake - SAD

The Township has received a petition, circulated by property owners on Laraway Lake, to make certain improvements to Laraway Lake, including weed control and removal and for the cost of the improvements to be special assessed against parcels of land within the district. The request is for the cost to be equally assessed against all parcels that front Laraway Lake, with the exception of vacant parcels owned by duplicate homeowners.

The Special Assessment District is being establish pursuant to Public Act 188 of the Public Acts of Michigan of 1954, as amended (the “Act” or “Act 188”). It should be noted while the petition has been received by the Laraway Lake property owners, this process is being moved forward on the initiative of the Township Board and, legally, the Township Board is not compelled to carry through the Special Assessment District if it determines it is not in the best interest of the public.

This page will be updated as documents become available and are approved by the Township Board. If you have any questions, please contact Ben Swayze, Township Manager, at bswayze@cascadetwp.com.

Laraway Lake SAD (Resolution #1)

Laraway Lake SAD (Resolution #2)

Laraway Lake SAD (Resolution #3)

Public Notice #1

Public Notice #2

Laraway Lake SAD #1 - Special Assessment Roll

Lower Village Plan

Residents are invited to provide feedback on the proposed Lower Village redevelopment plan during the Oct. 28 Cascade Township Board virtual meeting. The redevelopment plan will guide open space improvements at the intersection of Cascade Road and Thornapple River Drive (Tuffy Tire & Auto Service Center and the property below). The redevelopment timeline is contingent upon project funding, site cleanup and vacancy of properties. The plan was created based on community feedback provided during two public engagement sessions Aug. 27 at Tassell Park.

To access the Oct. 28 meeting links, please click here. If you cannot attend the meeting but would like to give feedback to the Board, please email sandra@cascadetwp.com.

Concept Sketch

Aerial Sketch

Thornapple River Dr. - SAD

The Township has received a petition, circulated by members of the Cascade Thornapple River Association (CTRA), to make certain improvements to the Thornapple River including weed control and removal, debris removal and safety enhancements, and silt control and removal, and for the cost of the improvements to be special assessed against each parcel of land within the district. The request is for the cost to be equally assessed against all parcels that front the Thornapple River between the dam and 60th Street, including those parcels that front Township owned property on the river.

The Special Assessment District is being establish pursuant to Public Act 188 of the Public Acts of Michigan of 1954, as amended (the “Act” or “Act 188”). It should be noted while the petition has been received by the CTRA, this process is being moved forward on the initiative of the Township Board and, legally, the Township Board is not compelled to carry through the Special Assessment District if it determines it is not in the best interest of the public.

This page will be updated as documents become available and are approved by the Township Board. If you have any questions, please contact Ben Swayze, Township Manager, at bswayze@cascadetwp.com.

Thornapple River SAD (Resolution #1)

Thornapple River SAD (Resolution #2)

Thornapple River SAD (Resolution #3)

Public Notice #1

Public Notice #2

Thornapple River SAD #1 - Special Assessment Roll

Cascade Thornapple River Association SAD Presentation

Township Facilities & Service Study

Facilities and Services Study - Updated 1/20/21

Fire Station 1 Presentation and Survey

Thank you to those who attended the Jan. 19 virtual public engagement session where Township officials and Progressive AE presented the results of the facilities study for a new Fire Station 1.

Please click here to view the slideshow of the presentation.

Please click here to view the video presentation.

Please click here to share your thoughts via a survey if you were unable to attend the meeting. The survey closes February 9, 2021.

12/18/20

Virtual Public Engagement Session: Fire Station 1

Please join us on Tuesday, Jan. 19 at 6 p.m. for a virtual public engagement session where Township officials and Progressive AE will present the results of the facilities study for a new Fire Station 1.

This meeting comes after a six-month study that sought and secured community input regarding the Township’s Space Needs and Facilities Study. Residents identified facilities used by the Cascade Fire Department as their top need.

To learn more about the study, including presentations from previous sessions, please click the links at the bottom of the page.

A survey will be available starting Jan. 20 for those who are unable to attend the meeting and would like to provide feedback.

To tune into the Zoom meeting, please click here: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88138260605

12/17/19

Thank you to everyone who attended, asked questions and provided feedback during the Dec. 4 public engagement meeting regarding the potential purchase of 5920 Tahoe Drive SE as a new Township Hall. Please review the presentation if you weren’t able to attend the meeting.

The Township Board, at their December 11 board meeting, approved the purchase of 5920 Tahoe Dr. for a new, consolidated Township hall. Please click here for more information.

Cascade Township Board Gives Approval to Explore Manufacturing HQ as Potential Site for Township Offices.

During the Oct. 23 Cascade Township Board Meeting, the Board approved a purchase agreement for the property at 5920 Tahoe Drive SE that will be considered for a potential Township Hall while other locations are considered and the fire study progresses. This decision comes after a six-month study that sought input regarding the Township’s space needs and facilities study.

The Township will have until Dec. 12 to complete its due diligence before deciding whether or not to purchase. If the property does not meet the agreed-upon specifications, the Township can end the agreement.

Progressive AE Fire Study - Approved 9/25/19

Building and Services Study - Updated April 23, 2019

Needs Assessment and Facilities Study Presentation - 4/24/19

Facilities Next Steps Presentation - 4/24/19