Update: Heckler disrupts press conference; find out who was behind the heckling

GRAND RAPIDS -- Traffic signals along Lyon Street NE at Ransom and Bostwick avenues won't be able to stop westbound traffic next month, when the downtown hill is closed and transformed into a 500-foot, inflated-vinyl waterslide.

The normally busy downtown hill will become a mini urban water park Aug. 21-22, thanks to Grand Rapids event coordinator Rob Bliss.

The two-lane waterslide will be open to everyone 48 inches or taller and will be free to ride from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. that weekend.

Bliss, 21 -- whose Rob Bliss Events became a nonprofit entity in mid-July -- was to announce the $40,000 project featuring "the world's largest waterslide" at a press conference today on the Grand Rapids Community College campus, which includes part of Lyon Street.

As a thank-you to the college for its cooperation, the former GRCC student, who also lives on Lyon, cast the waterslide in the college's colors: yellow and blue.

"I think this will be the most talked-about, exciting event to happen here besides ArtPrize. It's really large," said Bliss, laughing in disbelief. "Like I don't think anyone's really going to understand how big of a deal this is until the event actually comes. I mean, if you walk or drive (500 feet), it's really long."

Bliss came up with the idea last year during his many walks up and down the hill to and from his classes at GRCC. It also seemed like a fun summertime event.

"Turning a street into an enormous water slide just initially struck me and seemed like the safest thing I could do involving a hill, as well as (provide) the most dramatic change to an area," he said.

The slide, estimated to cost about $28,000 and manufactured in California, will be composed of 11 sections and lined with 2- to 3-foot-tall sides. Byron Center-based ACP Entertainment, a party rentals and entertainment production company, worked on the design.

With at least a half-foot lift above the cement, the waterslide weighs about four tons and was custom built for the Lyon Street hill, ACP General Manager Ryan Strayhorn said.

Water will constantly run down the slide on both sides and drain off into the street. He said a filtration system would have been too expensive and nearly impossible for the slide. A series of 10 speed bumps or cushioned "waves" at the end of the slide will act as a braking system. A 10-foot-high ramp, encased in netting will catch participants after the waves.

IF YOU GO

Lyon Street Waterslide

When: 8 a.m.-10 p.m. Aug. 21-22

Where: Lyon Street NE, between Barclay and Bostwick avenues

Cost: Free

Grand Rapids Electronic Music Night

What: All-ages, alcohol-free event featuring Chicago-based DJ Kalendr and local DJs Steve Swift, Brandon Hill, SuperDre, Jared Wallace and Sonnrize.

When: 7 p.m.-midnight Friday

Where: Calder Plaza, off Ottawa Avenue

Cost: Free ($5 suggested donation)

The slide also will feature a 10-foot-high incline with a built-in ladder at its start to give riders an initial "oomph." Strayhorn also said 52 holes will be drilled into the asphalt to secure the slide to the road.

"It is extremely important that people do not think it's a Slip 'n' Slide just put on a bunch of concrete," Bliss added, noting that many test runs will be done before it's opened to the public.

Bliss also hired Elite Security to make sure nobody interferes with sliders' safety. Like any water park, participants will slide on their backs and at their own risk. He also is considering selling skip-the-line tickets.

"It's a miracle," said Bliss, who was able to secure numerous local sponsors, including title sponsor Wolverine Worldwide ($5,000) and ArtVan, Riverhouse Condos and Design 1 (all $3,000 apiece).

Bliss plans to make the slide an annual event for the next 20 or so years -- the projected life span of the slide.

"This is like the one event that I hope I'm remembered for after my time here is done," Bliss said. "It pretty much sums up everything that I do."

His Grand Rapids Electronic Music Night, featuring local deejays and headlined by Chicago's DJ Kalendr, will be at 7 p.m. Friday at Calder Plaza. Other Bliss events have included a zombie walk, pillow fight and sidewalk chalk flood.

E-mail Rachael Recker: rrecker@grpress.com and follow her on Twitter at twitter.com/rachaelrecker