  Southwestmap Member Username: Southwestmap Post Number: 411 Registered: 01-2005 Posted From: 64.79.90.206 |
Is anyone following the story about a (rumored) project in Downtown Grand Rapids that has a bottom line of $2 BILLION? So explosively great that the Mayor of GR had to sign a confidentiality agreement to get the details. Land is being assembled now, according to GR media. It appears to have an entertainment component. Thousands of jobs are being discussed. What does GR have that Detroit doesn't? It seems that the future of Michigan is on the West Side of the State. | ||
Mrjoshua Member Username: Mrjoshua Post Number: 725 Registered: 03-2005 Posted From: 69.209.182.9 |
Sounds like Amway to me. | ||
Southwestmap Member Username: Southwestmap Post Number: 412 Registered: 01-2005 Posted From: 64.79.90.206 |
No, DeVos isn't in it, according to the media. | ||
Wazootyman Member Username: Wazootyman Post Number: 14 Registered: 02-2006 Posted From: 68.75.220.9 |
The future is on the west side of the state? It's going to take a lot more than a rumored development to be able to make that claim. | ||
Wmuchris Member Username: Wmuchris Post Number: 257 Registered: 06-2005 Posted From: 69.58.36.2 |
Here in Kalamazoo I've heard a lot about this development, but few concrete details. Apparently they (unknown investor) are making arrangements to buy out land and one of the only people unwilling to sell is a strip club owner. Grand Rapids is trying so hard to push this guy out that they are trying to change the laws that govern strip clubs in the city. Make them topless only, raise the stage, set minimum distance requirements. The Rumblings are BIG, but there isn't much known. | ||
Southwestmap Member Username: Southwestmap Post Number: 413 Registered: 01-2005 Posted From: 64.79.90.206 |
From a story by Rick Albin on Wood TV (Grand Rapids) on February 27. Find other references such as the one in the Muskegan Chronicle on Google. Albin wrote: "The speculation over a possible multi-billion dollar development in downtown Grand Rapids has been the talk of West Michigan for nearly a week. No one will say exactly what the development might be, but we wondered what kind of facility could be built for one or two billion dollars. We looked around the area, and it was easy to find new construction. One project is the new hotel going up just across from the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel. It's an ambitious project that will bring 24 floors of hotel rooms downtown. Its price tag is $100 million. That's a lot of money and a big project but nowhere near two billion. The Van Andel Arena cost about $65 million, while the DeVos Place Convention Center more than $210 million. The cost of this new development would be far more than that. "$2 billion. That's a big ticket," according to John Wheeler. Wheeler is the C.E.O. of Rockford Construction. He and his company have been involved in a lot of development, but nothing on the scale of the new downtown proposal. Wheeler says, "In our county, our county wide total construction permits on an annual basis don't come close to that." We looked around the country to see what you could build that would come close to $2 billion. In Atlanta, a new state of the art aquarium recently opened at a cost of $200 million. Closer to home, Ford Field in Detroit cost $350 million. The Mall of America in Minnesota in today's dollars could be as much as one billion. The proposed Freedom Tower to replace the World Trade Center in New York will cost an estimated $1.5 to $2 billion. The already opened Wynn Resort and Casino in Las Vegas reportedly cost $2.7 billion to build. None of these examples in anyway indicates that the same type of facility may be opened here, but it does give us some idea of just how big this project could be." | ||
Bvos Member Username: Bvos Post Number: 1228 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 66.238.170.51 |
You could build an airport and then some for $2 billion. It would be hard for an investor to invest in mass transit since most are publicly owned and funded due to the public subsidy and approval needed for mass transit systems. Knowing GR and their push for mass transit, I wouldn't be suprised if mass transit wasn't a part of this $2 billion project. | ||
Wazootyman Member Username: Wazootyman Post Number: 15 Registered: 02-2006 Posted From: 68.75.220.9 |
An airport would seem silly because of its proximity to Chicago and Detroit, both of which obviously have major international airports. I also question mass transit, as the area is quite spread out, and the city of Grand Rapids has a population under 200,000. I'm wondering if the two billion is really even the correct number. | ||
Wilus1mj Member Username: Wilus1mj Post Number: 47 Registered: 05-2005 Posted From: 216.111.89.3 |
If you build it, will they come???? The job market on the west side of the state has been hit just as hard. | ||
Bvos Member Username: Bvos Post Number: 1229 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 66.238.170.51 |
I wasn't saying an airport is the rumored project (there's no way that could go in dtwn GR), I was responding to a post that has now mysteriously disappeared from the thread. The posting said that the project was probably mass transit related. A $2 billion transit center would be the world's most expensive transit center ever. GR is one of the few areas of the state pushing for more and better mass transit. The residents have voted for taxes increases to pay for mass transit and politicians are lobbying hard in Washington, Lansing and else where for even more funding. They are creating a strong regional governance with mass transit as one of the central features and reasons for the regional government. To think that a heavily Republican area could be promoting mass transit like they are. | ||
Itsjeff Member Username: Itsjeff Post Number: 5665 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 208.27.111.125 |
You know, Detroit is a few weeks away from making an announcement itself. Not a $2 billion project, but something huge. A beloved Cass Corridore landmark is going to be overhauled big time. | ||
Gravitymachine Member Username: Gravitymachine Post Number: 909 Registered: 05-2005 Posted From: 198.208.159.20 |
the old miami? | ||
Wazootyman Member Username: Wazootyman Post Number: 16 Registered: 02-2006 Posted From: 68.75.220.9 |
Itsjeff - Any more details? Or is that all you know? I'm much more giddy for Detroit developments over stuff going on at the outpost (not to be biased or anything) | ||
Itsjeff Member Username: Itsjeff Post Number: 5666 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 208.27.111.125 |
Bigger. I'm talking a huge project here. | ||
Jt1 Member Username: Jt1 Post Number: 6940 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 198.208.251.24 |
Serious or being a smartass? | ||
Spitty Member Username: Spitty Post Number: 438 Registered: 07-2004 Posted From: 136.1.1.33 |
Yeah, come on man, spill the beans. | ||
Matt_the_deuce Member Username: Matt_the_deuce Post Number: 542 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 69.14.248.252 |
Is something finally going in the strip mall across from the Bronx? | ||
Gravitymachine Member Username: Gravitymachine Post Number: 910 Registered: 05-2005 Posted From: 198.208.159.20 |
Matt_the_deuce, that would be HUGE news, the parkers asking for reasonable lease rates.... | ||
Danny Member Username: Danny Post Number: 3788 Registered: 02-2004 Posted From: 141.217.174.231 |
Looks like the folks in Grand Rapids are planning something BIG like a 90 story skyscraper. | ||
Matt_the_deuce Member Username: Matt_the_deuce Post Number: 543 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 69.14.248.252 |
For the GR deal to be real I bet it would have to have a commitment already. A company relocation maybe? More than one entity though - for a project of this size. I bet that mass transit would be part of the mix. All said though, how do you come up with 2 billion? that's a lot of jack. Where is the demand coming from? | ||
Wmuchris Member Username: Wmuchris Post Number: 258 Registered: 06-2005 Posted From: 69.58.36.2 |
http://www.woodtv.com/Global/s tory.asp?S=4532566&nav=menu44_ 2 Small map showing the area | ||
E_hemingway Member Username: E_hemingway Post Number: 513 Registered: 11-2004 Posted From: 68.42.176.123 |
I've never been to Grand Rapids' downtown. What is it like? Is it densly packed with a lot of two or three story buildings, a la downtown Royal Oak or are there some medium range (4 to 10 story) buiildings? Are there a lot of empty lots that could be built on, like downtown Detroit? Also, wasn't the proposed expansion of Cobo pegged at $1 billion or so? BTW, I think I know what building you're talking about Itsjeff. If it's the one I'm thinking about, I'll be really pleased to see something happen with that. | ||
Ray1936 Member Username: Ray1936 Post Number: 346 Registered: 01-2005 Posted From: 207.200.116.139 |
I drove through parts of GR last year to find a house I lived in c. 1940. Found it in an older neighborhood, and was tremendously impressed with the neatness and cleanliness of the entire town. The 80-year old house I once lived in looked as if it had been just built. The entire neighborhood was spotless. A far cry from Detroit and even many of it's suburbs.  | ||
Gravitymachine Member Username: Gravitymachine Post Number: 911 Registered: 05-2005 Posted From: 198.208.159.20 |
itsjeff, 70 west? | ||
Wmuchris Member Username: Wmuchris Post Number: 259 Registered: 06-2005 Posted From: 69.58.36.2 |
Downtown Grand Rapids contains many large 10-40 story buildings and many 3-5 story warehouse/loft buildings. There are plenty of lots that could be built on, but the downtown is probably more dense than downtown detroit's. It can actually be quite a fun town to hang out in. Lots of Bars and restaraunts, retail, coffee shops, people living. I like it, but too small for my tastes. BTW the site for the proposed (development) is on the bottom left of the picture. Left of the freeway.  | ||
Jimaz Member Username: Jimaz Post Number: 346 Registered: 12-2005 Posted From: 68.2.191.57 |
A company called L-3 (http://www.as.l-3com.com/) was hiring fairly aggressively "in a first wave" there about 5 months ago. I know nothing more. (Message edited by Jimaz on March 08, 2006) | ||
Hysteria Member Username: Hysteria Post Number: 4 Registered: 02-2006 Posted From: 216.223.168.132 |
Article I read on WOOD TV's website dated March 4, states that GR is one of three cities being considered. | ||
Southwestmap Member Username: Southwestmap Post Number: 414 Registered: 01-2005 Posted From: 64.79.90.206 |
Hysteria's reference: Grand Rapids, March 3, 2006, 6:00 p.m.) "24 Hour News 8 has learned that Grand Rapids is one of three cities being considered for a billion-dollar downtown development. Grubb & Ellis, the real estate agency working to secure the land, told 24 Hour News 8 that Grand Rapids has risen to the top of the list over the past eight months. They also told us that if the project unfolds as planned, it would create 10,000 permanent jobs. The development would be built on 30 acres of land south of US-131 and north of Wealthy Street. Grand Rapids city officials say they are still working to secure two pieces of property in that area. Real estate agent Deborah Shurlow told 24 Hour News 8 that if those two property owners do not sell, it could derail the project. "We had a ballpark (figure in mind)," she said, but since this story broke, "it's a very different playing field than it was earlier." Grand Rapids is at the top of the list. Is Detroit on the list at all? Why not? I guess the Detroit City fathers should have thought ahead and named a Detroit thoroughfare "Wealthy St."! | ||
Hysteria Member Username: Hysteria Post Number: 5 Registered: 02-2006 Posted From: 216.223.168.132 |
Thanks. Still learning ... | ||
Bob Member Username: Bob Post Number: 797 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 152.163.100.8 |
Downtown GR is really nice, and the DeVos Place convention center is also really nice, but no where as big as Cobo Center. The powers that be in GR have sunk lots of their own money into downtown and it is really quite nice. | ||
Wazootyman Member Username: Wazootyman Post Number: 17 Registered: 02-2006 Posted From: 68.75.220.9 |
It would seem strange that two stubborn property owners could derail a "multi-billion dollar" project. Just offer each party a billion dollars. Then it'll become an even more impressive four billion dollar development! | ||
E_hemingway Member Username: E_hemingway Post Number: 515 Registered: 11-2004 Posted From: 68.42.176.123 |
Big story on it in the Grand Rapids Press. Hopes, rumors swirl for GR site http://www.mlive.com/news/grpr ess/index.ssf?/base/news-28/11 40866324111840.xml&coll=6&this page=1 | ||
Sknutson Member Username: Sknutson Post Number: 462 Registered: 03-2004 Posted From: 67.114.23.202 |
Native Grand Rapidian here. Ray1936: What is the address/neighborhood of the house you posted? I'd love to know. I agree - much of GR is strangely tidy and well kept. Parts of Wealthy are wealthy - other parts can be a bit dicey. | ||
Rbdetsport Member Username: Rbdetsport Post Number: 69 Registered: 11-2005 Posted From: 68.60.133.115 |
Whats a Google Campus? | ||
Mrsjdaniels Member Username: Mrsjdaniels Post Number: 163 Registered: 08-2005 Posted From: 71.144.119.225 |
I will ask my MIL...she lives off of Wealthy and works at the courthouse... | ||
Matt_the_deuce Member Username: Matt_the_deuce Post Number: 545 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 69.14.248.252 |
I know what a MILF is but what's a MIL? OH - just figured it out. Shouldn't it be MILILF? I'm so sorry | ||
Jimaz Member Username: Jimaz Post Number: 349 Registered: 12-2005 Posted From: 68.2.191.57 |
Rbdetsport, I think Google "campus" just means a group of buildings owned by the company. I've seen other companies use that terminology. | ||
Esp Member Username: Esp Post Number: 8 Registered: 09-2005 Posted From: 68.62.6.186 |
Another avionics firm hiring aggresively in GR http://www.smithsjobs.com/ | ||
Livernoisyard Member Username: Livernoisyard Post Number: 249 Registered: 10-2004 Posted From: 69.242.223.42 |
Grand Rapids also got two baseball teams to move there from Wisconsin - the Milwaukee Chicks (women) in 1944 or 1945 and the Madison Muskies (Class A) in 1994. | ||
Ray1936 Member Username: Ray1936 Post Number: 347 Registered: 01-2005 Posted From: 207.200.116.139 |
Sknutson......the address of my old home that's in the photo is 1108 Beechwood, in the NE. I only have very vague memories of it; we left there for Detroit when I was five. | ||
Wmuchris Member Username: Wmuchris Post Number: 260 Registered: 06-2005 Posted From: 69.51.137.10 |
This just reported on the news: Developers have come to terms with the owners of the strip club and with the owners of the local bar/venue The Intersection and arranged for them to be relocated. Good news for the development, yet still no word what it is all about. | ||
Detroitkev Member Username: Detroitkev Post Number: 45 Registered: 04-2005 Posted From: 68.255.238.185 |
10,000 jobs seems like a lot, but maybe it is a major world headquarters...Pfizer perhaps? Michigan already has the largest R&D facility in the world for the company. This would be very important for Michigan's emerging biotech industry. | ||
Detroitkev Member Username: Detroitkev Post Number: 46 Registered: 04-2005 Posted From: 68.255.238.185 |
Maybe not... http://www.nycbiotech.org/NYC_ Biotech/Crains_062303.html | ||
Sknutson Member Username: Sknutson Post Number: 463 Registered: 03-2004 Posted From: 67.114.23.202 |
Ray1936: Well, it is a SMALL world. The first home I lived in was on Arlington, NE; 1046 as I recall. Take a look at Google maps with that address! I only lived there my first two years, so I have no memory of it at all. | ||
Ltrain Member Username: Ltrain Post Number: 74 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 70.229.247.89 |
Why do I think if someone wanted to spent 2 bil. in Dtwn Detroit and only 2 property owners where holding it up something might happen to their buildings? Wrecking balls falling from the sky maybe? | ||
Adamjab19 Member Username: Adamjab19 Post Number: 636 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 67.177.86.181 |
Grand Rapids is a very nice town indeed besides the heavy and at times extreme bible thumping. Good for them though! Grand Rapids has done well, I think, because of DeVos, Spectrum, GVSU, and Van Andel actually staying in the city as opposed to the vacancy that happened in Detroit. Also that the city is smaller than Detroit and things are connected Downtown instead of the spottiness that can occur in Detroit. Also, GR does not have any huge clothing stores downtown but they have enough to keep the streets nice and storefronts full. Very beautiful homes on the East side of town and generally nice towns around the whole city. Also GR has a new art museum going up. Really is a nice place. Cool bar called Flannigans downtown too. | ||
Ray1936 Member Username: Ray1936 Post Number: 348 Registered: 01-2005 Posted From: 207.200.116.139 |
Two short blocks away, huh, Sknutson? LOL! Well, the old neighborhood looks like it was a great place to take your first steps, and the current residents have done themselves proud in maintaining it. We continued from there up to Traverse City via US 131, and I was impressed at the deep woods along the freeway just north of town all the way to Cadillac. Much prettier than I-75 from Detroit. | ||
Mind_field Member Username: Mind_field Post Number: 504 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 209.240.205.61 |
This is interesting, it does seem like Grand Rapids is trying to become a powerful urban center, and with the help of the few very wealthy developers who want to make it happen, it could. I think there is a condo tower of at least 30 stories proposed for downtown, called River house or something. My opinion of Grand Rapids is that it is a nice town, clean and fairly vibrant for it's size. Yet it could use a lot more taller buildings. The skyline has about 3 tall buildings and is very unimpressive. The riverfront could also be utilized much, much better. | ||
Knocturnal Member Username: Knocturnal Post Number: 86 Registered: 10-2004 Posted From: 24.176.50.206 |
To say that Wealthy street is a rich area of the city is hyperbole..it is in fact, one of the gloomier areas of downtown. Downtown GR always seems to have its fair amount of pedestrians, however. Quite a few bars/clubs where many youngsters frequent as well.. | ||
Gumby Member Username: Gumby Post Number: 917 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 204.39.224.75 |
ItsJeff please tell me you are talking about Cass Tech. Or at least the hotel next to the Masonic Temple (lets clean that area up). | ||
Hysteria Member Username: Hysteria Post Number: 6 Registered: 02-2006 Posted From: 64.12.116.204 |
I wonder what makes Grand Rapids any better than other cities its size? What about Des Moines, Lincoln, NE or one of the Springfields? I agree, though, it has kept itself fairly polished for being a rust belt city. Is it even one of the 100 largest cities anymore? I supposed metro area is over 1,000,000 if you stretch it and add Holland and Muskegon. | ||
Knocturnal Member Username: Knocturnal Post Number: 87 Registered: 10-2004 Posted From: 24.176.50.206 |
Metro area 1.3 million per wikipedia | ||
Hysteria Member Username: Hysteria Post Number: 7 Registered: 02-2006 Posted From: 64.12.116.204 |
Fairly impressive considering the 12th largest city in the U.S., Indianapolis, home of a bunch of little strip malls in a big circle, has a metro population under 2,000,000. | ||
Lghart Member Username: Lghart Post Number: 98 Registered: 03-2004 Posted From: 72.229.114.161 |
If you catch the hint from the Smiths Aerospace thing, maybe it's a major sub-assembly plant for the new Boeing 787 or Airbus A380??? A major plant like that could easily reach $2 billion. I don't think so as most of the major suppliers and where they are being built was announced long ago. | ||
Wmuchris Member Username: Wmuchris Post Number: 261 Registered: 06-2005 Posted From: 69.51.137.10 |
But why would a major manufacturing company want to build on such expensive downtown land? Seems like they could find land much cheaper outside? I don't doubt that it could be such a manufacturing plant. Just sounds expensive | ||
Rrl Member Username: Rrl Post Number: 455 Registered: 12-2003 Posted From: 71.213.227.199 |
Hey wait, is this development planned for the eclectic area where the Intersection, Yesterdog, Wolfgangs, etc. are located? That is one of the best little areas of GR, I'd hate to see it ruined by developers. | ||
Mc5rules Member Username: Mc5rules Post Number: 162 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 148.61.97.101 |
No, Rrl, you're thinking of Easttown. The Intersection moved from there maybe five years ago. The former location is now a hookah bar. This is closer to the Grand River, down near the Van Andel Arena. | ||
Wmuchris Member Username: Wmuchris Post Number: 263 Registered: 06-2005 Posted From: 69.58.36.2 |
Actually the location for the proposed Development is where the Intersection (Bar) is currently located. I saw the owner of the Intersection on the news last night, talking about selling to not stand in the way of development. So he sold I got the impression that he knows what is to be developed, but is keeping quiet until there is a formal announcement. | ||
Mc5rules Member Username: Mc5rules Post Number: 163 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 148.61.97.101 |
There are lots of non-disclosure agreements that have been signed in this case -- there are a few people who know what it is, but they aren't saying because they can't! | ||
Southwestmap Member Username: Southwestmap Post Number: 416 Registered: 01-2005 Posted From: 64.79.90.206 |
So, are we agreed: a $2 Billion development generating 10,000 jobs points to the brighter future being on the west side of the state? | ||
Wmuchris Member Username: Wmuchris Post Number: 264 Registered: 06-2005 Posted From: 69.58.36.2 |
This state needs some bright spots, no matter where. | ||
Focusonthed Member Username: Focusonthed Post Number: 27 Registered: 02-2006 Posted From: 209.220.229.254 |
Good news for GR, bad news for Detroit. Pretty soon, you're going to have companies considering the two side by side. Pretty sad when the 200,000 person city (1.3M metro) can get $2B projects, light rail, downtown investmet...and the nearly 1,000,000 city (4.4M metro) struggles to do much of anything. | ||
Ltorivia485 Member Username: Ltorivia485 Post Number: 2402 Registered: 08-2004 Posted From: 199.74.87.51 |
Focusonthed, why? RACE. BIGOTRY. Whites are in control in Grand Rapids. White people in Detroit resent black leadership. | ||
Focusonthed Member Username: Focusonthed Post Number: 29 Registered: 02-2006 Posted From: 209.220.229.254 |
We can't explain away our problems. We have to fix them. Too long Detroit has been saying "well we COULD have done that, if only it weren't for _____" Besides, I'm white and I could care less who the leadership is...so you saying "white people do this" is just about as constructive as me saying "black folk do this" If the problem is the "whites" then shouldn't the "blacks" say f*** the "whites", and get some shit done. Right? | ||
Dsmith Member Username: Dsmith Post Number: 93 Registered: 07-2005 Posted From: 68.41.202.23 |
Ltorivia, quit your race-baiting and shut the fuck up. | ||
Goat Member Username: Goat Post Number: 8213 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 70.53.99.72 |
This has nothing to do with race but everything to do with the notion of responsibile gov't, responsible citizens not a region that is full of grand standing, race-baiting, racism, regionalism (heck, each county tries to cut the throat of the other)classism... | ||
Wazootyman Member Username: Wazootyman Post Number: 19 Registered: 02-2006 Posted From: 68.75.220.9 |
Again, I maintain that Grand Rapids has a long way to go before it's competitive with the Detroit area. The automotive companies may be struggling, but still have very solid roots here. There is considerable investment in technical and R&D centers in the area. It wouldn't surprise me if there was a lot of corruption and waste in the government of GR too, we just don't hear about it on this side of the state. They hear very little about Detroit over there. | ||
Focusonthed Member Username: Focusonthed Post Number: 30 Registered: 02-2006 Posted From: 209.220.229.254 |
^^ Maybe, maybe not. What happens when the GR Metro area (which I don't believe includes Kalamazoo/Portage, which is only 40 minutes to the south) grows from 1.3M to 1.6M and has all the modern "urban" amenities that Detroit still lacks, like comprehensive transit solutions. Add to that the Lake Michigan beaches less than 30 minutes away, and the fact that "Up North" is significantly closer to GR than it is to Detroit... The auto industry's base alone can't save us. | ||
Wazootyman Member Username: Wazootyman Post Number: 20 Registered: 02-2006 Posted From: 68.75.220.9 |
Well, I guess I would put it this way. There is enough differential in infrastructure and population that it would take exceptional growth of GR and exceptional decline of Metro Detroit for the two to become equal. I'm not trying to knock on GR, but I'm just saying that the two really aren't comparable. Besides, these conclusions all seem to be set on the idea that all of Metro Detroit is doomed to collapse, which I think is quite the opposite of what the future holds. Maybe I'm overly optimistic | ||
Shave Member Username: Shave Post Number: 1088 Registered: 06-2005 Posted From: 198.30.81.2 |
Ltorivia485, How could you? This was the one thread that everyone could get excited about (not that it really impacts me one way or another). Lo and behold, what do you bring to the discussion? Absolutely nothing. Shame. | ||
Southwestmap Member Username: Southwestmap Post Number: 418 Registered: 01-2005 Posted From: 64.79.90.206 |
Since the development is in Grand Rapids proper, I think you should be looking at what such a thing (10,000 new jobs; $2 Billion infrastructure) means to Detroit proper - not the Detroit region. I think it means that Detroit is getting passed over. All the Super Bowl success won't bring Detroit this kind of development in my lifetime. I grew up in the most important city in the State - but no longer. Grand Rapids will be have all the clout now. | ||
Wmuchris Member Username: Wmuchris Post Number: 265 Registered: 06-2005 Posted From: 69.58.36.2 |
It is not a matter of Clout, who does Detroit need to knock around to stay on top? Detroit inflicts enough damage on itself, without placing too much worry toward what is happening in GR. Howabout we worry about building a strong Michigan, instead of this East Coast/ West Coast shiz. Besides, we don't even know what the Development is. What if it is just a really big beauty supply store? Would Detroit really be missing out? | ||
Focusonthed Member Username: Focusonthed Post Number: 32 Registered: 02-2006 Posted From: 209.220.229.254 |
Of course. If there's one thing Detroit needs, it's more hair and nail shops. I keed, I keed. WMUchris, WMU grad here. (Message edited by focusonthed on March 09, 2006) | ||
Shave Member Username: Shave Post Number: 1089 Registered: 06-2005 Posted From: 198.30.81.2 |
If Detroit proper is getting passed over, what are the implications for the Detroit metro area? Why not put 10K new jobs and $2B in infrastructure in the greater metro-Detroit region? I thought all was well in the suburban dwellings. Obviously, the entire metro-area was snubbed. Sometimes, it is best to go with what works. The metro-Detroit region is so blinded by hatred and racism that it is impeding progress throughout the entire state. Sometimes, you just have to throw up your hands and say, "To hell with it." Then, you turn towards the entity willing to work together to get goals accomplished. While Detroit and its suburbs were busy trying to one-up the next person, GR was quietly putting together an economic plan that will prove beneficial to its entire metro-region as well as the state. Guess where Lansing's eyes will begin rolling? I know that some Detroit huggers will just blow this off and think that regardless of the circumstances, Detroit will forever be the most significant Michigan city. That may be true from an identity standpoint. However, in the very near future, it certainly won't be the most important economicially--especially when significant economic activity is taking place so far away from its core. The leaders need to understand that the city can't rest on the laurels of a bygone era. The city, region, state is in dire straits and need the city leaders to perform and get things done--like yesterday. Competent, efficient, fiscally-responsible, and diplomatic leadership is the wave of future government. | ||
Matt_the_deuce Member Username: Matt_the_deuce Post Number: 547 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 69.14.248.252 |
Maybe it will take a little wake up call like this to kick the Metro region in the behind. It already started to happen with the transit money issue. Western Mi. getting funding but S.E. Mi. not, next thing you know S.E.MI. wants in on the legislation. Heck - maybe they can lead and show the way and we can emulate them and all will be good. It's one thing to compete with the Pittsburghs/Clevelands/Baltimo res/and Chicagos but something in the state might just hit a little too close to home. | ||
Gistok Member Username: Gistok Post Number: 1853 Registered: 08-2004 Posted From: 4.229.6.52 |
This is all kinda silly people arguing but they don't know what they are arguing about. Pointless waste of time, I would say. Say isn't there also gonna be a billion dollar development in Pontiac (Mr. Schubiner's project that caused Pontiac to annex part of Bloomfield Township)? I'll believe all this when I see it, otherwise...... hell we can't even evoke Skipper's Rule, we're arguing so far ahead of the 8-Ball. | ||
Hysteria Member Username: Hysteria Post Number: 9 Registered: 02-2006 Posted From: 152.163.100.8 |
I've noticed in the past few months that Bloomfield Park has stopped advertising in the Wall Street Journal. Typically, it was in the Personal Journal real estate section everyday. | ||
Mind_field Member Username: Mind_field Post Number: 506 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 209.240.205.61 |
Detroit has it's own billion dollar development, Campus Martius. The overall impact of it isn't as dramatic as this potential GR development because it's spread out over such a long time, probably two decades from start, to full build out on the Monroe block. Itsjeff, I can't think of anything that I would consider "huge" if it were redeveloped in the Cass Corridor. When you say corridor, I automatically assume north of 75, but Cass does go downtown, will this be downtown or in midtown? I'm also assuming residential, is that correct? Developments that I would consider huge are Rencen, Compuware, and Ford Field. | ||
Jt1 Member Username: Jt1 Post Number: 6949 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 66.19.16.86 |
itsjeff - can you e-mail me some info on what you are talking about. Since we have never met in person I can understand if you don't want to. If you do I can assure you that you have my assurance it will not get beyond me. jt1_detroit@yahoo.com | ||
Hysteria Member Username: Hysteria Post Number: 11 Registered: 02-2006 Posted From: 152.163.100.8 |
I agree completely with Mind_field. Also, Grand Rapids metro area, etc. will never compare or compete with the Detroit metro area. There is no way GR can quadrupele itself. Itsjeff, 'Where's the Beef'? What is going on !!! |
