Bradford Photo Gallery

Photograph of "Proceedings of the City Commission" and printout stating "Chris Peters and 49 others filed petition asking that concrete steps be built on Bradford St east of Prospect Av with approaches for an outlet on Lafayette Av. Service Committee.
Photograph of three excerpts: "Improvement of Bradford St from Prospect Av to North Av as a WPA Project was approved." "Application to WPA for a project for construction of concrete steps on Bradford St NE between Prospect Av and North Av was approved. Estimated cost is $5,020 of which the city's share would be $1,770." "Because no WPA funds are available condemnation proceedings for the opening of Bradford St NE from Prospect Av to College Av were ordered dropped. Wooden steps on the sharp incline, removed some time ago, are to be replaced with concrete steps."

City Commission Proceeding 76742 – 1941: “The matter relative to the improvement of Bradford Street from Prospect Avenue to North Avenue N.E. has been under consideration for sometime, and at this time we believe it is advisable to proceed with the preparation of a W.P.A. project for the construction of concrete steps inasmuch as the wooden steps have been removed, and it is necessary to provide the proper facilities for the pedestrians.” Triply signed and marked “Adopted”

F-9 6/11/27 Excavation along G.T.R.R. E of Lafayette Ave.
F-8 6/11/27 Pouring 12'0" x 8'3" Arch in Prospect Alley
F-8 Invert in Prospect Ave. Alley 11'8" wide
F-8 7-3-27 Invert along G.T.R.R. Lafayette to North Ave
F-8 7-2-27 Pouring arch at Lafayette + Bradford
Newspaper article about plan to open Bradford St.
F-8 Aug 1927 Invert between North and College
F-8 7-3-27 Fry + Kain Office + Sheds at North + Fairbanks
F-8 7-2-27 Finishing curve at Lafayette and Bradford

Fall 2026 – Before

Fall 2026 – Clean Up

Fall 2026 – Ribbon Cutting

Sign labelled: The Bradford Steps For decades, the Bradford Steps have connected people and places in the Belknap Lookout neighborhood, where the Odawa settled near the rapids of a river they call Owashtanong. Although Bradford St. NE appeared on city maps in 1888, there was no formal street connecting the “sharp incline” between Prospect Ave. NE and North Ave. NE. In 1924 and 1936, Belknap residents requested concrete steps for the hill. In 1940, Grand Rapids requested funding through the Works Progress Administration project to open Bradford St. between College Ave. NE and Lafayette Ave. NE to improve access for residents and the fire department. However, it was never built. After complaints about removal of wooden steps on Bradford St., the City Commission in 1941 recommended a WPA project for building concrete steps, estimated at $5,020, “of which the City’s share will be $1,770.” In 2026, DTE provided a grant to Neighbors of Belknap Lookout to enhance the pathway, removing invasive plants and planting native perennials.
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