Category:Districts

Key features that do not fall in the domain of a particular district:

The Grand River separates the Northwest and Southwest Districts from the rest of the city. A handful of bridges, particularly on Wealthy, Fulton, Pearl, and Bridge/Michigan Streets, span the river. Access ramps, boardwalks, and narrow stairways lead from the city's main elevation down to the water's rocky edge. Many minor and one major fishladder interrupt the river's flow at places, as well as a few small islands near the Southwestern district.

The S-Curve is a major feature of Highway 131 that winds from Downtown South, touches Downtown, and then crosses over the river into Southwest before continuing through Northwest and sending 131 north toward the Deltaplex (see Outliers). Small venues and parking are huddled beneath the S-Curve in Downtown South, a parking garage for the GR Museum in Downtown nearly abuts the Curve, the main hall of GVSU's Pew Campus in Southwest nearly abuts it across the river, and the Curve straightens out just before the interchange of 131 and 196 above Northwest.

Highway 196, the Gerald R. Ford Freeway, runs straight east-west to divide the Northeast off from Downtown North and Southeast, as well as dividing Northwest from Southwest before curving south across the tops of the bluffs that make up the far edge of the Southwest District to overlook John Ball Zoo and then Millenium Park. Driving along 196 gives an impressive view of Downtown North as it runs parallel to the Medical Mile, climbing the major hill up from the river just behind the backs of research centers and Spectrum Hospital.