Downtown's cast iron tree grates to be replaced by cheaper and safer porous system

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The new tree well system replaces the cast iron tree grates with a porous material that uses stone and recyled rubber.

(Chris Clark | Mlive Media Group)

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Those cast iron street grates designed to protect downtown’s trees will be replaced by with a newer cheaper method that fills the tree wells with a porous mixture of stone and recycled rubber.

The Downtown Development Authority on Wednesday, Oct. 12 approved an agreement with the city of Grand Rapids to split the cost of replacing 776 tree grates with the poured mixture over the six months.

The new tree well system is cheaper, are easier to clean and improve accessibility on downtown sidewalks. They have been installed along downtown streets on a trial basis since 2011.

Kris Larson, President of Downtown Grand Rapids Inc., said the city and DGRI replaced 263 grates that needed immediate attention in September for a cost of $124,000. The remaining 513 grates will be replaced next spring and summer.

The old cast iron grates will be recycled and sold through the city’s purchasing department. The income from those sales will be charged against the cost of the contract to install the new poured system.

Larson said the new tree well system allows water to be filtered to the tree roots and is expected to last between 10 and 15 years.

Jim Harger covers business for MLive/Grand Rapids Press. Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter or Facebook or Google+.

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