GRAND RAPIDS — A 0.5% sales tax imposed to fund improvements to Yanmar Arena will end in Grand Rapids.
At its Monday, Sept. 14 meeting, the Grand Rapids City Council voted unanimously to end the tax on Dec. 31, 2026. It was first imposed in April of 2023.
Yanmar Arena, formerly known as the IRA Civic Center, hosts hockey games, concerts, trade shows and other events. It underwent extensive renovations in 2022 and 2023, including a new roof and improvement to the ice rink, parking lot and HVAC system.
City Administrator Tom Pagel said voters approved the local sales tax option in the 2022 election alongside a $5 million bond. The maximum length of the tax would've been seven years if the city did not collect enough to pay the bond and interest.
"What's exciting is that after about three years and nine months, this tax is actually going to end," Pagel said.
Councilor Tom Sutherland said the ending tax shows a commitment to city residents and their trust in the Council.
"It shows us how strong our local community is," he said.
Councilor Molly MacGregor echoed this sentiment. She said when she first ran for election in 2022, concerned voters didn't believe her when she promised that the tax would end.
"They said, 'No it won't,' and I said, 'Yes it will,' and it has," MacGregor said. "So, I'm very happy that I could make at least one promise come true."
The next Grand Rapids City Council meeting is Sept. 28.
