KEY POINTS
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A new pedestrian skybridge will connect the under-construction Amway Stadium to nearby attractions, enhancing safety and access.
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The skybridge is part of a $175 million development that includes an 8,500-seat stadium for Athletic Club Grand Rapids, opening in 2027.
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ConstructConnect forecasts growth in sports facility construction in 2026, reflecting sector momentum.
Construction is set to begin this year on a new Grand Rapids, Michigan pedestrian skybridge connecting the under-construction Amway Stadium to nearby attractions, according to reporting from mlive.
The skybridge project remains in the construction design phase, according to developer Grand Action 2.0. The private economic development group is overseeing the $175 million stadium project on Grand Rapids’ West Side at 230 Winter Ave. NW.
The 8.5-acre site will soon be home to an 8,500-seat soccer stadium expected to open in spring 2027.
A rendering of Amway Stadium. The Grand Rapids, Michigan, project will host Athletic Club Grand Rapids. Image: Grand Action 2.0
New Stadium to Host MLS Soccer and More
Amway Stadium will host Athletic Club Grand Rapids, the city’s new MLS Next Pro soccer team. The club is expected to play 28 games per season, with half of those matches at the venue. In addition to professional soccer, the stadium is expected to host youth and amateur sporting events, as well as a range of cultural activities.
While the construction timeline for the skybridge is not yet finalized, developers said work would begin in either spring or summer of this year. The bridge’s cost is included as part of the overall stadium budget.
Construction Project Details
The Grand Rapids Planning Commission approved the skybridge site plan in March 2025. According to meeting minutes, as mlive reported, the walkway will span approximately 167 feet diagonally over the intersection of Lake Michigan Drive and Winter Avenue, providing 30 feet of clearance above the roadway.
The design links Grand Valley State University’s (GVSU) Pearl Street parking garage with the David D. Hunting YMCA and the new Amway Stadium.
The project’s primary goal is pedestrian safety. The skybridge will provide a secure, convenient crossing for visitors moving between the YMCA, the GVSU parking garage, and Amway Stadium, easing the challenge of crossing two major roadways on foot and supporting accessible, community-focused development in Grand Rapids.
Sports and Stadium Construction is Forecast to Continue Growing
This week, ConstructConnect Chief Economist Michael Guckes published a revised full-year chart of 2025 U.S. Construction Starts for Select Subcategories. According to his analysis, the Sports and Convention Center Category rose 9.3 percent in 2025.
A chart shows the revised Full Year 2025 US Construction Starts for Select Subcategories from the Construction Economy Snapshot. Image: ConstructConnect
Further, the ConstructConnect Winter 2025 Construction Starts Forecast projected that the sports stadium and convention center category will see continued momentum. In the type-of-structure forecast, the category is expected to rise 14.52 percent in 2026.
This anticipated growth highlights the ongoing investment and confidence in sports and community gathering spaces, though these nonresidential construction projects typically span years from ideation to construction to completion.
As Grand Rapids moves forward with this infrastructure investment, the new skybridge and Amway Stadium are poised to deliver enduring value to the community. By making pedestrian navigation safer and more accessible, these projects support not only local sports and cultural events but also strengthen neighborhood connections.
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