The Boston Square Together project reached another important milestone by receiving approval of the "F2 Building" through the Grand Rapids Planning Commission.

Neighbors have consistently stated the need for:

• High-quality mixed-income housing opportunities
• Affordable retail spaces that are accessible to hyper-local businesses and entrepreneurs
• At least 30 percent of construction contracts are to be held by minority, women and 49507-owned companies

Pending future funding milestones, construction on both F2 and F3 ("family" buildings) will start in the second half of 2022.

• 57 residential units (80% affordable and 20% market rate)
• 6,000 sq ft of retail/incubator space
• 1, 2 and 3-bedroom rental units

BSQ Together is a collective community design process where neighbors, business owners, and local and city partners worked together to advance a neighborhood vision for the heart of Boston Square.

Meet Andrea Owens. She is a 25-year resident of Oakdale and has been impacting lives in and around her neighborhood.

Andrea's lifelong career in healthcare led her to train adults for living-wage careers at the West Michigan Center for Arts + Technology (WMCAT). She is also an entrepreneur and owns a drug and alcohol testing business, HourGlass Testing Solutions, which recently celebrated the opening of its first

brick-and-mortar location.

She says her passion for people and life stems from her mother's big heart. But it was her mother's debilitating car accident years ago, due to a person driving under the influence, that led to Andrea's work in testing. Her personal and professional mission is to make workplaces, roadways and communities safer.

Andrea also brings her passion for community by advocating for neighbors. She has provided hours of invaluable feedback on the Boston Square Together design and Community Partnership Agreement.

Thank you, Andrea, for your passion,

persistence and genuine care for community!

Learn more about Andrea's growing business below.

MAKE MOVES

SATURDAY, AUGUST 28 @ 10 AM

Join neighbor, Ashten Duncan, for the final exercise Hip-Hop dance class that is fun for the whole family. Make Moves for health will take place this Saturday at 10 am in the Boston Square Community Parklet. You can go at your own pace. Email Sheena Walls to enroll smeme18@yahoo.com.