GRAND RAPIDS, MI — Matthew’s House rescue mission has put its request to open an expanded location on Leonard Street NW on pause for 90 days so it can address concerns that its presence in the neighborhood would hurt businesses and public safety.
The request, accepted Tuesday by the Grand Rapids Planning Commission, was made jointly by Matthew’s House and the West Grand Neighborhood Organization.
“It gives us a little more time to work with the city and the neighborhood association and the neighbors to address some of the issues,” said Pastor George Werkema, a former autobody repairman who founded Matthew’s House in 2007…