ADU Bootcamp
Your one-day crash course on backyard housing, tailored for anyone shaping our built environment: investors, homeowners, designers, lenders, real estate agents, appraisers, city leaders, and developers.
Join us Friday, August 22nd from 8am - 5pm at the Grand Rapids Development Center.
Can’t make it this time but still interested? Drop your email here, and we’ll let you know if we host another Bootcamp in the future—no promises, but we’re hopeful to make these an annual tradition!
Heads-Up for Real Estate Licensees!
This Bootcamp is officially certified by CE Marketplace for 8 hours of continuing education for Michigan real estate licensees, including the 2 legal hours required annually to stay compliant.
Why Grand Rapids? Why Now?
Last year, the GR City Commission legalized Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) by right across all residential zoning districts and removed all of the "poison pills" that made them challenging to build. That means no public hearings and no variances; just permission to build smarter housing! Mayor LaGrand has made ADUs a priority and even launched an ADU Task Force to help make them more streamlined to build. In fact, this Bootcamp was an idea generated by that Task Force, and MI Backyard Build was launched by a member of that Task Force.
Whether you’re a homeowner or investor wanting to build wealth, a builder with vision, or a city leader pushing for affordability, Grand Rapids has cleared the hurdles. Now’s the time to plan, design, and build. This Bootcamp will give you the knowledge and confidence you need to build an ADU!
Bootcamp Schedule
Friday, August 22, 2025
Grand Rapids Development Center – 1120 Monroe Ave NW, Commission Room 201
Meet the Speakers
David LaGrand
Mayor of Grand Rapids
Mayor LaGrand is an attorney and longtime public servant with deep roots in the city. He leads Mayor’s Mondays, a multi-year initiative to crowdsource community building through open, citywide conversations. He also launched the city’s ADU Task Force to make accessory dwelling units easier and more affordable to build, expanding housing options for all Grand Rapidians.
Ryan Kilpatrick
Founder and CEO of Flywheel
Ryan helms Flywheel, which is a mission-driven firm helping communities unlock housing solutions through smart policy, design, and finance. As former Executive Director of Housing Next, he positioned housing access as a core economic development issue in West Michigan. With 15+ years of experience, Ryan supports vibrant communities through planning, zoning, and strategic partnerships.
Hannah Blackwell
Founder of GGRPM
Hannah is a real estate broker, investor, and founder of Greater Grand Rapids Property Management, launched in 2018 to provide honest and ethical property management in her hometown. Born near Grand Rapids and drawn back after years away, she’s proud to live, work, and invest in a city she believes in, especially through creative housing solutions like ADUs that strengthen communities.
Ryan Gummere
Loan Officer at Northpointe Bank
Ryan has 23 years of experience in banking and a national lending platform. He specializes in creative solutions for self-employed borrowers, investors, and first-time homebuyers, with a focus on helping low- to moderate-income families overcome barriers to homeownership. He’s also a trusted resource for local home repair and accessibility programs, partnering with Seeds of Promise to help dozens of homeowners access critical grants.
Sarah Behmlander
Planner II, City of GR
Initially a furniture designer, Sarah made the jump to urban planning after realizing their passion for public service and how we interact with the built environment, especially in Grand Rapids. Sarah is a 3x “ACE award” winning employee at the City based on their customer service, collaboration, and dedication to equity. They enjoy working with local emerging developers and small business owners through education and are committed to being a reliable resource at the City.
Rowan Brady
Planning Supervisor, City of GR
After working as a planning consultant for 6 years with communities across the State of Michigan, Rowan joined the City of Grand Rapids Planning Department in early 2024. With customer service roots in his time as a college tour guide, Rowan’s passion for public service, collaboration, and equity drives him to build strong relationships with community members, developers, and design professionals. He also prides himself on having 0 unread emails.
Adam Williams
Urbanist at UrbanGR.org
Adam is a systems architect and civic strategist who chairs the Highland Park Neighborhood Association and serves as Lead Policy Analyst for Strong Towns Grand Rapids. A longtime advocate for walkable, adaptable cities, he blends technical expertise with grassroots organizing to push for zoning reform, incremental housing, and safer streets. His blog, UrbanGR, offers a data-rich lens on Grand Rapids’ built environment, challenging assumptions and sparking dialogue. Adam is also a national member of Strong Towns and a former rail and transit policy leader. In 2020, he built one of the city’s first ADUs, demonstrating his belief that cities thrive when they evolve, densify, and say “yes” to change.
Alex Sheffer
Residential Drafter
Alex is an accredited ADU Specialist and blends technical precision with creative flair. He has a background in both residential and commercial construction as well as remodeling and a photographer at Firebolt Photos. With over a decade of experience in real estate and design, he’s helped shape high-end homes across West Michigan while guiding clients through the buying and selling process with clarity and care. Known for his attention to detail and collaborative spirit, Alex brings a grounded, hands-on perspective to conversations about housing and development. He’s especially passionate about making beautiful, functional spaces accessible to everyday homeowners.
Jerry Westhoff
Founder, All Day Renovations
Jerry runs All Day Renovations, a residential remodeling company based in West Michigan. He brings a diverse skillset shaped by his education, career, and over two decades of hands-on experience in the trades. Jerry earned his MBA in Accounting from Davenport University and spent several years working in finance, including roles in the construction industry. In 2017, Jerry left the corporate world to launch his own business—realizing a lifelong dream rooted in lessons he first learned from his father, a builder. Today, Jerry specializes in thoughtful home renovations, with a focus on clear communication, strong planning, and delivering an exceptional client experience. He combines business acumen with craftsmanship to lead projects that are both beautiful and well-executed.
Nathan Biller
Small Infill Developer
Nathan is working to solve Grand Rapids’ housing shortage one unit at a time, both through infill development and zoning reform. He is also an accredited ADU Specialist. After building his first ADU, he co-founded MI Backyard Build to make them more accessible. He now has two more permitted and is constructing his second. With a decade of experience at Steelcase in finance, procurement, and innovation, Nathan also contributes to Strong Towns Grand Rapids, advancing conversations on incremental housing and urban resilience. He is licensed as both a real estate salesperson and an insurance agent. He is also a member of the Mayor of Grand Rapids’ ADU Task Force and a member of the Planning Department’s Technical Advisory Committee.
Ready to get started?
Join us for GR's inaugural ADU Bootcamp to learn and connect with developers, planners, and policy advocates to lead your Grand Rapids' next step in the evolution of housing.
Register Now
