Similarly, with small businesses reinvigorating the Wealthy Street area, young people are being found in areas of the city they’ve previously not had a chance to enjoy. Naturally, with gentrification comes diversity. And with diversity, comes the Democratic Party.

There’s a tendency in America for urban, densely populated areas to be more liberal than their rural counterparts. At least, that’s what Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist and one time co-host of CNN’s now defunct Parker Spitzer, Kathleen Parker said in an article last fall.

“Many so-called Everyday Americans who live in the oft-maligned red states essentially are people who live in more open spaces and, therefore, see little need or benefit for government management of their lives.” But “those who have opted to live in densely populated blue areas need third-party authorities to maintain order and figure they’ll trade a little freedom for the convenience and cultural riches of city life.”

“These are completely different orientations toward life … and I’m not sure the two can be reconciled. City dwellers will never understand the folks who prefer the company of trees, and country folk will always resent the imperious presumptions of urbanites who think they know best.”

Where, then, does the Grand Rapids community fall? With its ties to President Gerald R. Ford, the DeVos and Van Andel families, and the Christian Reformed Church, West Michigan could easily be characterized as the most conservative area of the state.

But then again, it’s not quite the urban metropolis Parker is alluding to. And if the recent passage of the Rapid millage is any indication, the ideological divide between the city of Grand Rapids and its surrounding communities is as stark as ever.

One of the reasons I believe this is occurring is due to the increased gentrification of the city itself.

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