Grand Rapids neighborhoods are getting their own version of March Madness this fall—and there are no basketballs involved.
Neighborhood Madness is a four-week, bracket-style competition that puts 16 Grand Rapids neighborhoods against one another. Starting Tuesday, Sept. 15, residents will vote for their favorite neighborhood, with neighborhoods advancing through each round until one is left standing.
Think of it as a citywide popularity contest for neighborhoods.
The field includes Alger Heights, Belknap Lookout, Creston, East Hills, Eastown, Garfield Park, Heritage Hill, Highland Park, John Ball Park, Midtown, Northeast, Ottawa Hills, Roosevelt Park, Shawmut Hills, Southeast End and West Grand.
Residents vote round by round, deciding which neighborhoods move on and which are eliminated.
And there’s something in it for the people doing the voting, too. Residents who correctly predict the winning neighborhood can receive $500 in gift cards from local Grand Rapids businesses. The neighborhood that wins the competition receives a sponsored block party.
The competition was started by Jon Hazeltine, a West Michigander of 20 years and founder of a local real estate-focused software company.
But the focus of Neighborhood Madness is the city itself—and the businesses and neighborhoods that make it unique.
The Businesses Behind Neighborhood Madness
Local businesses are participating as sponsors for several of the neighborhoods in the bracket. Each neighborhood’s page features the logos of its sponsoring businesses.
Participating businesses
- Alger Heights: Alger Hardware & Rental, Giggles & Gourmets, Heights Cream, Making Thyme Kitchen
- Belknap Lookout: Brickyard Tavern
- Creston: Fika, Kobold’s Kitchen, Sparrows Coffee, The Rezervoir Lounge
- Eastown: Billy’s Lounge, Harmony Brewing, Mi Pueblito, Tamales Mary, Vinyl Alchemy
- Heritage Hill: Brooklyn Bodega, The 12th House GR, The James Boutique
- Midtown: Logan’s Alley
- Ottawa Hills: Blazin Wade
- Roosevelt Park: Rodriguez Supermarket
Neighborhood Madness gives residents a reason to talk about the places they live and the restaurants, shops and other local businesses that make those places distinct.
So whether you’re voting for your own neighborhood or throwing your support behind a favorite spot across town, the premise is simple: pick your favorite, see if it advances and find out which Grand Rapids neighborhood comes out on top.
Voting begins Sept. 15 at grandrapids.realestate, where residents can follow the bracket and vote for their favorite neighborhood.
