GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Construction will kick off this year on a new skybridge that will connect visitors of the new Amway Stadium to a nearby parking garage, marking another milestone in the transformation of the city’s West Side.
The project is currently in the construction design phase, said Kara Wood, executive director of Grand Action 2.0, the private economic development group behind the soccer stadium now under construction.
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Wood did not have a timeline for how long construction would take, but said it will start in spring or summer of this year.
Grand Action 2.0 did not provide a cost of the new pedestrian bridge, stating it is included as part of the overall stadium project cost, estimated at $175 million.
The new skybridge will cross diagonally over the intersection at Lake Michigan Drive and Winter Avenue, connecting Grand Valley State University’s parking garage on Pearl Street to the David D. Hunting YMCA and the future Amway Stadium.
The walkway aims to provide a safe way for pedestrians to walk between the YMCA and GVSU’s parking garage, as Lake Michigan Drive and Winter Avenue are significant roadways to cross. Amway Stadium visitors who use GVSU’s parking garage will also be able to use the new skybridge to safely cross the intersection.
YMCA’s parking lot was torn out to make room for the new stadium, located on an 8.5-acre site at 230 Winter Ave. NW. City leaders and developers have emphasized that safe pedestrian movement will be essential once the venue begins drawing thousands of fans to events.
The 8,500-seat stadium will host professional soccer matches and other events when it opens in spring 2027. The stadium will be home to Athletic Club Grand Rapids, the MLS Next Pro soccer team owned by the families of David Van Andel and Dan DeVos. The team will play 28 games per season, with half of them taking place at Amway Stadium.
In addition to professional soccer, the venue is also expected to host youth and amateur sporting events as well as cultural events and activities.
The Grand Rapids Planning Commission approved the site plan for the proposed skybridge in March 2025. The walkway was proposed to span approximately 167 feet across the intersection, with 30 feet of clearance over the roadway, according to meeting minutes.
Community planners say the bridge will be more than just a convenience feature — it will serve as a visible symbol of the broader redevelopment occurring around the stadium district. The surrounding neighborhood is expected to see new restaurants, residential projects and entertainment venues as construction progresses.
Officials with Grand Action 2.0 have previously described the stadium and related infrastructure as a generational investment aimed at boosting downtown vibrancy and regional tourism. The skybridge is viewed as a critical component to ensure that increased vehicle traffic does not compromise pedestrian accessibility.
More detailed construction schedules and design updates are expected to be released later this year as final engineering work is completed.
Originally reported by Melissa Frick in M Live.
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