| Burton Heights is an urban neighborhood located in the southeast portion of Grand Rapids, Michigan. The Burton Heights community a mixed-use neighborhood consisting of residential area, a business district, schools, healthcare facilities, religious institutions, and various nonprofit organizations. The community has a number of neighborhood associations geared towards community development and education. The Garfield Park Neighborhoods Association (GPNA) is the neighborhood's well-established association. In addition to serving as the neighborhood association, GPNA also serves as a community development agency along with other similar organizations, including the Garfield Development Corporation (GDC) and the Burton Heights Business Association (BHBA). Although the community is fortunate to have all these neighborhood associations, it still faces many of the challenges and needs. A significant number of the needs fall within four key areas, including community organizing, business and housing, education, and health.
The 1990 Census data showed the community's ethnic composition as 61 percent White, 17 percent Black, and 26 percent Latino. The 2000 Census data showed a major shift in the ethnic make-up of the community, whereby the White and Black population group decreased to 21 percent and 12 percent, respectively. The Latino population increased to represent 63 percent of the total population. The Latino community is further categorized by various cultural background and countries, including Mexico, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, and Cuba.
The community's demographic changes create language and cultural challenges in the neighborhood and business district in the schools, nonprofit and governmental organizations alike. Some of these challenges are seen in the experiences of the area's service providers. As such, organizing in both English and Spanish must be stepped up and improved to meet the challenges that currently impede the formation of the area's identity as a safe and inviting neighborhood in which to live and conduct business. Such efforts are also needed to meet the opportunities ahead for revitalized neighborhood and business districts, improved educational opportunity, and enhanced health.
Another major issue facing the Burton Heights neighborhood is crime. The central business district's corridor, Division Avenue, is most visible to people entering the area and is known as a hangout for prostitutes and drug-related crimes. While Division Avenue accounts for only 5 percent of the area's properties, 30 percent of the crimes are committed on Division Street.
Calvin College hopes to preserve the neighborhood and help fuel neighborhood revitalization and economic development to the Burton Heights area. Calvin College plans to accomplish this effort with funds from OUP's Community Outreach Partnership Centers grant program. Calvin College's efforts will include activities in economic development, neighborhood preservation, education, and health services.
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