Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. (DGRI), on behalf of several partner organizations, seeks a qualified film producer and/or video production team to support the documentary needs of an ambitious, multi-year effort to restore and revitalize the Grand River as it flows through the urban core of Kent County, MI.

Click here to read the full Request for Qualifications, which presents the anticipated scope of work, outlines relevant supporting info and overviews the project start up schedule.

The river revitalization project partners envision a video production effort composed of two distinct but interrelated phases:

  1. Producing a series of short (1-3 min) vignettes about key facets of the river restoration movement. These videos will help raise awareness of the community’s vision to build a “River for All.”
  2. Developing a production plan for a feature-length documentary that traces the community’s history with the Grand River, the vision for restoring the natural asset and efforts to translate the vision into reality.

The overarching objectives of both the vignettes and the documentary are to:

  • Promote the ‘River for All’ vision, purpose and anticipated outcomes.
  • Inform public awareness of water quality, safety and river access issues and opportunities.
  • Highlight new parks and recreational opportunities for people from all walks of life.
  • Communicate the value and benefits of public investment in river corridor restoration and revitalization.
  • Emphasize equity and inclusion as fundamental principles of the project.
  • Visually document and archive footage of the physical environment and project-related activities before and after implementation for posterity.
  • Generate enthusiasm and support for the project.

    Grand Rapidians envision a restored and revitalized Grand River corridor as a signature public amenity in a class with such ambitious civic projects as The High Line in New York City, Atlanta’s BeltLine and the waterfront revitalization initiatives underway in Toronto, Chicago and Detroit.

    The campaign is a collaboration between the City of Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids Whitewater, the Great Lakes Fishery Commission, Kent County, DGRI, local philanthropists, the state and federal government and numerous other community partners.

    Interested RFQ respondents should contact DGRI Chief Outcomes Officer Andy Guy with questions and to submit a proposal.

    The deadline to respond is November 5, 2021.