Property owners appeal Crescent Avenue Alley special assessment after 2025 improvements

The Grand Rapids City Commission heard appeals on Jan. 27 from property owners contesting a special assessment tied to the Crescent Avenue Alley improvement project.

Acting City Assessor Lindsay Post told the commission the project — grading, concrete paving, gravel shoulders and tree removal on Crescent Street Alley between Grand Avenue and Eastern Avenue — was completed in 2025 with a final project cost of $119,628.42. Post said the city share was $7,892.21, producing a total assessment to be spread of $111,736.21 and an assessment rate of $100.14 per front foot. Notices were mailed Jan. 5, 2026; Post said the assessor’s office had received three written appeals and that Jan. 27 was the final opportunity to file an appeal.

Sebastian Erdley, owner of one affected property, and an associated real estate agent testified they bought the home in April 2025 and said title searches and title insurance did not reveal an active assessment at the time of purchase. The agent said the assessment was not flagged in the way most title companies would display, and Erdley asked the commission to consider relief or adjustment for his portion of the bill.

The owner’s representatives noted the elective assessment vote occurred in 2022 and suggested future purchasers had no practical way to discover the outstanding assessment through routine title searches. The assessor said appeals must be in writing and that forms and assistance were available in Room 901.

The hearing focused on factual concerns about notice and discoverability for buyers and did not produce an immediate vote on relief; the board closed the hearing and no final decision on those specific appeals was recorded at the Jan. 27 meeting. Staff indicated appeal procedures remain available and the assessor’s office will assist interested owners.

Next steps: The record indicates written appeals will be considered per the assessor’s procedures; property owners were informed how to file appeals and staff made forms available.