GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — The proposed Grand Rapids city budget includes money that could help freshen up one downtown neighborhood.
For years, a major complaint in the Heartside district on the south end of downtown has been the lack of public restrooms. Businesses say the people who frequent the neighborhood end up urinating in public. The homeless population is part of the problem, but so are Arena District customers, especially after the bars close.
Kim Davidson sees it every day from behind the counter at Mos Eisley's Tattoo Studio at S. Division Avenue and Oakes Street.
"During the day. All the time. All hours," she said.
Even if you can't see it, you know it's there.
"I actually just thought that as I was walking up from the alley today. I was like, 'Wow, it smells really bad today.' Yeah. You have to watch where you're walking," Davidson said.
Along with the obvious public health issue, it’s not good for business.