  Saruthma Member Username: Saruthma Post Number: 35 Registered: 06-2005 Posted From: 68.60.160.65 |
The "huge" Cass corridor development is not residential. You will be surprised and excited. We just can't say anything yet. I would say it is as important to Detroit as the Rencen, Compuware, and Ford Field. | ||
Jt1 Member Username: Jt1 Post Number: 6951 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 66.19.19.104 |
Saruthma - Should I assume that you are joking? | ||
Mind_field Member Username: Mind_field Post Number: 507 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 209.240.205.61 |
Hot damn! Something so big it's comparable to the Rencen and Compuware? How soon is an announcement coming? If it's not residential that leaves retail, commercial(office space), or new convention center? Is Somerset moving from Troy to the Cass Corridor? Is Daimler moving from Auburn Hills to the corridor? Just please tell me it has nothing to do with casinos or a new hockey arena. (Message edited by Mind field on March 10, 2006) | ||
Saruthma Member Username: Saruthma Post Number: 36 Registered: 06-2005 Posted From: 68.60.160.65 |
I said that I feel that it is as important to Detroit as the Rencen and Compuware... not necessarily equivalent to, as your post implies. The project is still huge, though. (Message edited by saruthma on March 10, 2006) | ||
Futurecity Member Username: Futurecity Post Number: 238 Registered: 05-2005 Posted From: 69.212.226.191 |
Is it planned for that giant open space between Woodward and Cass, just north of the Fisher Freeway? | ||
Jt1 Member Username: Jt1 Post Number: 6956 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 66.19.17.115 |
Is it bigger than a bread box? Sorry - I had to be a smartass because 20 questions as a child jumped into my head | ||
Matt_the_deuce Member Username: Matt_the_deuce Post Number: 549 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 69.14.248.252 |
Boeing decided it didn't like Chicago? New Orleans is getting rebuilt in Detroit? Bill Gates has a soft spot for weed strewn lots? The UN decided to build new as opposed to renovating? Congress: Tired of the Beltway? Hell, Come on over to the Boonesway... | ||
Mind_field Member Username: Mind_field Post Number: 508 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 209.240.205.61 |
Well referring back to Itsjeff's initial post that caused all the wild speculation, it leads me to believe that this is a renovation...not a new build. More hints please, Saruthma. Will it create over 1,000 jobs? Will it be in midtown or downtown? Renovation or new build? Will it be over 1 million sq. ft. if new build? Will it cost over 200 million dollars? Sorry to be so annoying. | ||
Knocturnal Member Username: Knocturnal Post Number: 88 Registered: 10-2004 Posted From: 24.176.50.206 |
The state of Michigan is the winner here, where other comparable U.S. cities were passed up for G Rap City. L485 - Enjoyed the comment, nice analysis. | ||
Ltorivia485 Member Username: Ltorivia485 Post Number: 2406 Registered: 08-2004 Posted From: 199.74.87.51 |
Shave, the truth hurts. Just look at the ignorant comments on the Free Press about the water rates and the Detroit Zoo. If we had white leaders, people would not be calling them derogatory names, or calling the citizens of Detroit lazy, shiftless folks "freeloading" off the backs of suburbanites (!?!). | ||
Wazootyman Member Username: Wazootyman Post Number: 21 Registered: 02-2006 Posted From: 68.75.220.9 |
As an aside, I'm pretty sure that the Detroit News boards aren't an accurate sampling of the population. It seems to draw in the idiots, mostly. I hope. | ||
Merchantgander Member Username: Merchantgander Post Number: 1651 Registered: 01-2005 Posted From: 150.198.150.244 |
That description seems to fit this website too. | ||
Crew Member Username: Crew Post Number: 865 Registered: 02-2004 Posted From: 146.9.52.20 |
Is it the world's largest tanning salon? (Message edited by Crew on March 10, 2006) | ||
Michiganjfrog Member Username: Michiganjfrog Post Number: 1 Registered: 03-2006 Posted From: 198.212.237.23 |
Grand Rapids is already competitive. How else to explain why the Grand Rapids area is growing much faster than Detroit? From 1990-2000, the population of the Grand Rapids area grew 3.05 times faster than the population in the Detroit area. From 2000-2004, it grew 4.01 times faster. Overall, from 1990-2004, it grew 3.27 times faster. | ||
Sknutson Member Username: Sknutson Post Number: 467 Registered: 03-2004 Posted From: 67.114.23.202 |
I agree with Knocturnal - if this mega development comes to fruition in GR, the State of Michigan will be the winner (assuming it doesn't involve a re-location within Michigan.) Its not that Detroit will be the loser. A boost to the Michigan economy benefits the entire state. Perhaps my GR roots bias me here. What is appealing to me, however, is that whatever this is it is proposed for the dingy fringe of downtown GR. Not some monstrousity out in a cornfield. | ||
Mcnamara Member Username: Mcnamara Post Number: 33 Registered: 06-2005 Posted From: 204.22.230.98 |
think hockey, pizza. | ||
Mind_field Member Username: Mind_field Post Number: 510 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 209.240.205.61 |
Mcnamara, any new info about the Hudsons block? | ||
Merchantgander Member Username: Merchantgander Post Number: 1656 Registered: 01-2005 Posted From: 150.198.150.244 |
The worlds biggest Little Caesars with an ice skating rink built around it. | ||
Matt_the_deuce Member Username: Matt_the_deuce Post Number: 550 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 69.14.248.252 |
A Little Ceasars factory that will build mini pizzas in the shape of hockey pucks. | ||
Matt_the_deuce Member Username: Matt_the_deuce Post Number: 551 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 69.14.248.252 |
OK - I just realized this thread was about GR... I think GR is swell. I played the old Intersection more times than I can remember - but never the new one. Will they rebuild and is this still the main medium sized venue in town? Whirlwind Heat Rules! | ||
Blueman459 Member Username: Blueman459 Post Number: 1 Registered: 03-2006 Posted From: 64.12.116.204 |
This is my first post here and just want to tell you that I really enjoy this discussion. I'm from Grand Rapids and saw this thread and really appreaciated some of the comments on here. For those that care G.R. is going through some sort of a downtown building boom. For instance there's like 30 projects underway downtown or in the development phase ans there all mid-high rise buildings One example is the1 of 20 in the world, J.W Marriot on the cities waterfront. Don't know how we landed that brand. For those that care here's a listing and photos of all the projects underway in GR. www.woodtv.com/global/Story.as p?s=4611533 (Message edited by blueman459 on March 10, 2006) | ||
Sknutson Member Username: Sknutson Post Number: 470 Registered: 03-2004 Posted From: 67.114.23.202 |
I know - its gonna be a mega mall anchored by Steketee's, Herpolsheimer's, and Wurzburg's! | ||
Mcnamara Member Username: Mcnamara Post Number: 34 Registered: 06-2005 Posted From: 204.22.230.98 |
mind_field: nothing yet on the hudsons block, hopefully something by the end of may. | ||
Focusonthed Member Username: Focusonthed Post Number: 38 Registered: 02-2006 Posted From: 209.220.229.254 |
Don't forget Jacobson's | ||
Wmuchris Member Username: Wmuchris Post Number: 267 Registered: 06-2005 Posted From: 69.51.137.10 |
Welcome Blueman, I have been amazed at the number of projects going on in downtown GR for the past year or so. Things are really looking good for G-rap right now. And good for them. Have fun on the forum. WMUchris- fellow westsider. | ||
Motorcitymayor2026 Member Username: Motorcitymayor2026 Post Number: 563 Registered: 10-2005 Posted From: 24.231.189.137 |
Cass Corridor, I assume it will be the new hockey arena?? The bigger question to me will be, what happens to the Joe. Knock it down and help expand Cobo, via convention hotel most likely?? Keep it up and let it rot? Keep it for other events or knock it down for an empty lot.....lots of possibilities there | ||
Broken_main Member Username: Broken_main Post Number: 919 Registered: 06-2005 Posted From: 69.222.11.226 |
While a new Arena would be great, I am a bit curious to know where this could be placed. I guess we will have just wait and see what this project turns out to be, if there is one in the first place | ||
Mind_field Member Username: Mind_field Post Number: 511 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 209.240.205.61 |
God I hope it's not a new hockey arena. First, I would hardly call a new hockey arena "HUGE". While it would help boost the Cass coridor, there would also be a lot of negatives from the wings moving out of the Joe on the riverfront. And Saruthma stated that we will be excited AND SURPRISED. While many would be excited by a new arena, I highly doubt many would be surpised by it as rumors have been flying around about that for quite a while. If it isn't a new arena, I just hope the Illitches don't rehash the whole Columbia street fiasco, where they announced plans to do something and here we are ten years later with nothing. | ||
Jerome81 Member Username: Jerome81 Post Number: 932 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 64.142.86.133 |
My two guesses: Grand Rapids: Manufacturing facility of some type. Toyota? I know they were looking at west Michigan. However, 10,000 jobs would probably be pushing it at an auto plant. However, 2 billion might be do-able. I think Kia just announced something similar in Georgia recently. But they are getting 3000 jobs out of it I think. Other guess is massive company relocation, along with all R&D facilities, etc. It'd have to be HUGE. DaimlerChrysler Tech Center in Auburn Hills huge. That place has about 10,000 employees. As far as Detroit and Cass Corridor: I'm going to have to say new Wings arena. I have no details, but thats the gut feeling to me. What else could be "HUGE" and has been discussed in the vicinity? | ||
1953 Member Username: 1953 Post Number: 717 Registered: 12-2004 Posted From: 209.104.146.146 |
Itsjeff is talking about the soon to be announced private ownership/new hotel at the Masonic Temple. Masons are leaving, new folks investing. | ||
Mind_field Member Username: Mind_field Post Number: 515 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 209.240.205.61 |
Wow. Interesting. I would think the last thing Detroit needs is another hotel with all the casino hotels coming online and the Book Cadillac. but I'll shut up until I get more details. | ||
Detroitduo Member Username: Detroitduo Post Number: 538 Registered: 06-2005 Posted From: 194.138.39.56 |
*gasp* now THAT's surprising AND exciting! But I wonder how that would work. Thought provoking.... crap... that WOULD be huge... | ||
Matt Member Username: Matt Post Number: 1010 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 69.136.149.90 |
Don't forget the residental and commercial aspect of it. | ||
Merchantgander Member Username: Merchantgander Post Number: 1658 Registered: 01-2005 Posted From: 150.198.150.244 |
The lovely Ansonia Hotel isnt that far away either. (Message edited by Merchantgander on March 13, 2006) | ||
Saruthma Member Username: Saruthma Post Number: 38 Registered: 06-2005 Posted From: 141.210.52.100 |
Masons are not leaving the Temple... sharing it and allowing currently unused portions to become part of a new 200+ room MAJOR hotel. With significant $$ (10s of millions) being invested in restoration and cleaning both inside and outside. Hotel will take over management of ballrooms and theatre. The biggest thing is that the Temple will not close or meet the wrecking ball. Phew! | ||
1953 Member Username: 1953 Post Number: 718 Registered: 12-2004 Posted From: 209.104.146.146 |
I'm curious what major chain would open a hotel in the Cass Corridor. | ||
Hysteria Member Username: Hysteria Post Number: 15 Registered: 02-2006 Posted From: 216.223.168.132 |
So that's the news? That is comparable to Ren Cen and/or Campus Martius? | ||
Saruthma Member Username: Saruthma Post Number: 39 Registered: 06-2005 Posted From: 141.210.52.207 |
To quote my earlier post: "I said that I feel that it is as important to Detroit as the Rencen and Compuware... not necessarily equivalent to, as your post implies. The project is still huge, though." Losing the Temple would be a huge loss to Detroit on a number of levels AND the development and money investment will be huge for the area. I also can't imagine that this development comes without other development on its heels in the area. | ||
Matt_the_deuce Member Username: Matt_the_deuce Post Number: 555 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 69.14.248.252 |
How many hotel rooms can downtown absorb? While I think it's great that the Temple is getting invested in and possibly saved from abandonment, do you think that with every new hotel development announced, the chances of the Book Cadillac deal getting done become slimmer and slimmer? or are the two mutually exclusive? Same goes with residential. A TON of units are going to be coming online in the next 3-5 years. I hope absorbsion continues to happen. | ||
Gistok Member Username: Gistok Post Number: 1865 Registered: 08-2004 Posted From: 4.229.72.84 |
Well then what's the big deal why Itsjeff is so hush-hush about this? Does he work for the company that is developing this? Or does he just like being Sadistic? If this is indeed true, then it would hardly seem possible to convert the main tower to hotel use. My take is that they would use the Shriners building (east of the Masonic Temple Theatre) for hotel space. The only way I can see this supposed new hotel taking over the main theatre is if the Nederlander Organizations long term lease has expired. Who knows, maybe something will finally become of the Masonic Temple's unfinished 3rd theatre on the top floor of the main building. Although it was hard to tell in the dark (when Preservation Wayne folks visited it), it probably could hold at least 1,000 people. (The other 2 theatres are the 1,585 seat Scottish Rites Cathedral, and the 4,600 seat main theatre.) (Message edited by Gistok on March 13, 2006) | ||
Mc5rules Member Username: Mc5rules Post Number: 164 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 148.61.84.222 |
Actually, my well-placed inside sources say the Masonic development will include a Cheesecake Factory, a House of Blues and a Rite Aid. | ||
Bvos Member Username: Bvos Post Number: 1244 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 66.238.170.32 |
Woohoo!! Rite Aid. Detroit is holding their breath hoping that if the rest of the deals fall through, at least the Rite Aid will come to fruition! | ||
Treelock Member Username: Treelock Post Number: 93 Registered: 03-2005 Posted From: 68.77.166.98 |
Downtown Grand Rapids really pleasantly surprised me when I visited there recently. I had never really seen the downtown only the city's outskirts and it has a genuinely urban, bustling feel to it that even Detroit often lacks. The fact that the names DeVos and Van Andel are plastered across every third building does get a little eerie at times, reminding you that it is essentially a small city, but the city is clean and vibrant and there are lots of things to like about it. The city also has its problems, including budget difficulties and a struggling school system, but what stands out to an even greater degree than Detroit is the fact that development and investment is occurring and thriving in spite of its problems. As an outsider whose familiarity with GR's politics, history and socioeconomics are admittedly limited, it's hard to say why they are succeeding where metro Detroit is failing (see public transit for Exhibit A). But it's clear that the city has benefitted tremendously from the philanthropy of deep-pocketed benefactors, many of whom don't live inside the city limits, and as is evident from their successes with promoting regional public transit, they do a much better job working together regionally than the hopelessly fractured Detroit area. And while natives will tell you the city went through its dark days, it's obvious that Grand Rapidians never allowed it to decay to the extent that metro Detroiters have in their hometown. This mystery development is good for Grand Rapids and good for the state. If Detroit and its suburbs learn anything from it, it will be good for the city as well. | ||
Rust Member Username: Rust Post Number: 126 Registered: 08-2004 Posted From: 64.118.136.130 |
No more eerie than the Ford name being plastered over so much of Detroit | ||
Messykitty Member Username: Messykitty Post Number: 1 Registered: 03-2006 Posted From: 71.193.156.85 |
My sources in GR tell me that Six Flags has proposed "the worlds largest indoor entertainment complex" for the site. It will be themed around the exciting office-furniture industry. Discuss. | ||
Gistok Member Username: Gistok Post Number: 1869 Registered: 08-2004 Posted From: 4.229.72.84 |
Welcome to the forum Messykitty! I can see it now, the Steelcase slolum ride or the Herman Miller Mountain rollercoaster... And Treelock, you want eerie, if Dick and his whiny wife "Betsy the Mouth" DeVos take over the reins of state government.... that'll be downright spooky!! His eyes even look shifty on his TV commercials (in the same way that Burt Reynolds looks shifty and scary since his last plastic surgery). | ||
Treelock Member Username: Treelock Post Number: 94 Registered: 03-2005 Posted From: 68.77.166.98 |
Dick "'Ol Beady Eyes" DeVos, heh heh And Rust, DeVos and Van Andel names proportionately much more ubiquitous in GR than Ford's in the D. Literally everywhere you look. Can't question their devotion to the city, however. | ||
Mikeydbn Member Username: Mikeydbn Post Number: 306 Registered: 04-2004 Posted From: 35.11.191.18 |
Maybe its Autoworld 2 or Indoor skiing | ||
Johnnny5 Member Username: Johnnny5 Post Number: 184 Registered: 06-2005 Posted From: 71.227.95.4 |
I've just heard a rumor. The secret development is a MAYO CLINIC in Grand Rapids! Apparently the property owners that have been holding up the issue are close to a deal. | ||
Wmuchris Member Username: Wmuchris Post Number: 287 Registered: 06-2005 Posted From: 69.51.137.10 |
Mayo Clinic??? That would be HUGE!!! | ||
Hysteria Member Username: Hysteria Post Number: 17 Registered: 02-2006 Posted From: 205.188.116.137 |
What about this: http://www.woodtv.com/Global/s tory.asp?S=3373553&nav=0Rce | ||
Gistok Member Username: Gistok Post Number: 1884 Registered: 08-2004 Posted From: 4.229.72.133 |
I've never heard of Spectrum..... They will have to advertise how wonderful they are, so that people will know.  One cannot just become a Mayo Clinic overnight, it could take decades. And besides how are they going to get out of the Detroit/Ann Arbor shadow? They have some really world class competition in southeast Michigan. And a real big stumbling block is that they don't have any world class research universities in Grand Rapids. Pardon my ignorance, but do they even have any colleges within the Grand Rapids city limits? I know they don't have any universities. Maybe they're putting the cart before the horse? Maybe they need to get a university instead? (Message edited by Gistok on March 16, 2006) | ||
Jerome81 Member Username: Jerome81 Post Number: 936 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 64.142.86.133 |
I believe Grand Valley State University is in grand rapids. Of course Calvin (College), though maybe that doesn't qualify? | ||
Knocturnal Member Username: Knocturnal Post Number: 96 Registered: 10-2004 Posted From: 24.176.50.206 |
GVSU's main campus is actually located in Allendale, MI, but yes, basically Grand Rapids | ||
Bvos Member Username: Bvos Post Number: 1277 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 66.238.170.31 |
Calvin doesn't have a medical school. However MSU has a lot of their medical students at hospitals in GR. I'm guessing that it's Spectrum. | ||
Mc5rules Member Username: Mc5rules Post Number: 165 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 148.61.97.101 |
The health industry initiatives have been ongoing over here. Here's an article that discusses some of those initiatives (from an admittedly Grand Valley-centric perspective)... http://www.gvsu.edu/gvmagazine /index.cfm?id=1692AFE5-B7B9-51 64-86B0E93531D73956 | ||
Bob Member Username: Bob Post Number: 821 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 64.12.116.204 |
The DeVos's are also some of the largest contributors to the Republican Party, and President Bush. They were also the people that launched the school voucher fight in MI. You think Bush is pushy about his beliefs, wait till the Devos's have power (if elected). | ||
Ohudson Member Username: Ohudson Post Number: 133 Registered: 09-2004 Posted From: 147.240.236.9 |
MSU unveiled plans to move it's College of Human Science to GR a some time back, here is a link: http://www.wzzm13.com/news/new s_article.aspx?storyid=25072 | ||
Southwestmap Member Username: Southwestmap Post Number: 425 Registered: 01-2005 Posted From: 64.79.90.206 |
So, the earlier question is still on the table: is GR Michigan's most important city, the city of Michigan's future? Is Detroit (Motown) the city of the dusty past? | ||
Matt_the_deuce Member Username: Matt_the_deuce Post Number: 560 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 69.14.248.252 |
It seems like GR is winning the battle for Lansing/MSU. Should we open up a second front? Seriously - I think Lansing aligning itself with the west side of the state more than the southeast side is not a good thing. It seems as thought MSU is giving up on the Detroit area. Maybe we're too entrenched with UofM. | ||
Wazootyman Member Username: Wazootyman Post Number: 25 Registered: 02-2006 Posted From: 68.75.220.9 |
I don't even know why that's a question, why do you keep asking it? They are not comparable. Their size and respective industries are very, very different. Are you just trying to get an argument going here? As for medical schools, I'd say that Wayne State/DMC and the U of M both have such a presence in the area that MSU would enter a very tough market. I know GR is big into life sciences, but I believe they are more receptive to a medical school. This is all speculation on my part, however. | ||
E_hemingway Member Username: E_hemingway Post Number: 522 Registered: 11-2004 Posted From: 68.42.176.123 |
You can't compare GR to Detroit. Apples versus oranges. No question. You might be able to compare GR to Ann Arbor. Maybe. | ||
Bob Member Username: Bob Post Number: 822 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 64.12.116.204 |
I think MSU med school going to GR makes sense. We already have UM and Wayne States med schools, which are highly ranked. The westside of the state has nothing in terms of med schools, so it only makes sense. Just wait till the DeVos Republican poll watchers try to come in to help get him elected this fall. There is a battle that will be vicious. | ||
Southwestmap Member Username: Southwestmap Post Number: 426 Registered: 01-2005 Posted From: 64.79.90.206 |
I do believe that GR will overtake Detroit and this region as the most important city in the state - in people's minds and in truth. Twenty years ago the MI legislature passed legislation to provide that certian districts in the State could collect monies for convention/tourism marketing. The legislation said that counties having populations of more than 1.5 million (and meeting certain other criteria) could collect the tax to use to furhter convention marketing. At the time the legislation came out of Lansing, only Detroit met the criteria. But five years ago, GR met it in terms of population and everything else. Since then, GR has built a new convention center and now has a $100 million hotel going up downtown. Now 10,00 more jobs coming to GR. Don't you see the handwriting on the wall? GR has a vision, a regional committment and the will. GR will be the powerhouse of the State. Are you saying that will never happen? GR is already way out of the Ann Arbor league and entering the very big leagues. We have thought that all the State was the "rust-belt". But GR will soon have a seperate, non-rust-belt rep and Detroit will still be mired in it. | ||
Gistok Member Username: Gistok Post Number: 1886 Registered: 08-2004 Posted From: 4.229.186.121 |
I think this is much ado about nothing. The population of Grand Rapids proper is what... less than 200,000? When they talk about metro Grand Rapids, how many other counties are included? It would have to be way more than 2 other counties in order to get to the 1.5 million figure. The 2 closest cities, Muskegon and Holland (each less than 50,000 people?), both are about as far away from Grand Rapids, as Ann Arbor is from Detroit. Last I remember Kent County (Grand Rapids) only had about 500,000 people in the county. Thats way less that "little" Macomb County's 900,000. So if Grand Rapids has 1.5 million in the metro area, that includes A LOT of farm and forest land. Unfortunately I don't have a recent Almanac. Maybe someone could check theirs and find out how many folks live in these counties (all the ones that touch Grand Rapids Kent County): Kent, Ottawa, Muskegon, Newaygo, Montcalm, Ionia, Barry and Allegan. And if these are all included, then we're talking about a land area twice that of metro Detroit. | ||
Bob Member Username: Bob Post Number: 825 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 64.12.116.204 |
Most of those counties are still very rural. My family has a family farm in Allegan County, and it about the same drive as driving from Warren to downtown. GR will have to grow and lot in many different ways to equal the voting power of Metro Detroit. And the colleges in the GR area and no where close in terms of quality as the ones in Metro Detroit. And MSU's med school, is good, but it is not UM of Wayne State. | ||
Wmuchris Member Username: Wmuchris Post Number: 289 Registered: 06-2005 Posted From: 69.51.137.10 |
2004 Grand Rapids Population: 195,601 http://quickfacts.census.gov/q fd/states/26/2634000.html 2004 Kent County Population: 593,898 However the greater GR area would probably include some of Montalm, Muskegon, Allega, Ottawa and Barry Counties. Certianly isn't a huge population center, but it has the potential for growth. | ||
Bob Member Username: Bob Post Number: 826 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 64.12.116.204 |
That is a lot of growth in a state that has very little of it. | ||
Gistok Member Username: Gistok Post Number: 1888 Registered: 08-2004 Posted From: 4.229.81.119 |
Hasn't the population of Grand Rapids been in the 190,000 range for a few decades now? | ||
Hysteria Member Username: Hysteria Post Number: 19 Registered: 02-2006 Posted From: 64.12.116.204 |
Yes. The population hit its peak in 1970 with 197,000+ residents. I think it's been up and down since then. | ||
Broken_main Member Username: Broken_main Post Number: 972 Registered: 06-2005 Posted From: 68.42.79.6 |
I know that spectrum specializes in cardiac problems. My brother in law had a aneurism in his heart and it dissected and they took care of him immediately. He is living today because of this hospital. | ||
Catman_dude Member Username: Catman_dude Post Number: 1 Registered: 03-2006 Posted From: 198.252.245.194 |
I lived in Holland MI for about 8 years in the 80s after living in Westland near Detroit. I remember being surprised at the size of Grand Rapids and surrounding area because I never heard of anything regarding the rest of Michigan when I was living in the Detroit area. I remember how nice and clean Western Michigan was/is and beaches and parks are plenty (miles of shoreline). Southwest Michigan is very Dutch and many people last names start with "V". The "pinkie" area- Traverse City- is cherry capital of the world and Sutton's Bay is extremely nice. I didn't encounter any of the "bad ass" attitudes I've always endured growing up in Detroit area. However, Benton Harbor probably would qualify as a "mini-me" Detroit. Holland MI has SIDEWALK snow-plows!! The interstate between Holland and Grand Rapids is infamous for snow white-outs. I remember being puzzled over what was Grand Rapids' economic base besides office furniture, Amway, and auto parts suppliers but I guess that was enough to go on. The timber industry went out a long time ago. Western Michigan has been fairly a well-kept secret mostly because of lack of job opportunities but apparently that has been changing for a few years now. The dark side of Grand Rapids is the over-reaching power of Amway founders, DeVos and VanAndel. Throw in former prez Ford and the late Prince Corporation founder Edward Prince and you have an area of (sinister?) political influence. One of Princes sons is the founder of Blackwater, US infamous Iraq mercenaries. | ||
Southwestmap Member Username: Southwestmap Post Number: 430 Registered: 01-2005 Posted From: 64.79.90.206 |
From the on-going Wood-TV media coverage of the GR development whys and wherefores: "Why Grand Rapids? A memo from Grubb & Ellis | Paramount, the real estate agent representing the developer of the secret project, lays it out in black and white. It starts with who we are, and where we're growing as a people. There are some 1.3 million of us living in West Michigan, defined for this study as the Grand Rapids/Holland/Muskegon area. The population is young and growing. It also has one of the highest median incomes in the midwest. Those are the kinds of numbers that attract large retailers, large companies and large developments. Education is another key ingredient. Twenty-thousand college students live within five miles of downtown Grand Rapids. With a law school here and a medical school a good possibility, those numbers are expected to increase. Of course, there's a flip side. The Grubb & Ellis | Paramount paper highlights concern over the troubled public school system, and the dangers of failing to produce students to keep up with the new employment demands. Downtown is another attracting force. Cranes highlight the Grand Rapids skyline. But it goes beyond the number of buildings going up. It's also about what's going on inside those buildings. The report cites the expanding Van Andel Research Institute as being as important to the country as the Salk Institute was in the 1950s. That's the kind of reputation that attracts high-paid scientists and support staff to Grand Rapids. Transportation is another factor, not the condition of the roads so much as the routes. The opening of M-6 created a sort of circle around Grand Rapids, speeding up traffic flow and increasing growth. Then there's business quality and stability. While it's true our manufacturing base continues to shrink, there are still plenty of positives. The Grubb & Ellis | Paramount paper touts efforts to keep and retain jobs, the area's work ethic, and the level of education among workers. But the biggest factor may be what Grubb & Ellis | Paramount calls the area's "can do" attitude. The report talks of the many accomplishments of the Grand Action Committee, like the DeVos Place Convention Center and the Van Andel Arena. There's another unique advantage the area has - generosity. West Michigan has the second highest percentage of charitable giving in the country. Only Salt Lake City, Utah residents open their checkbooks more often." | ||
Collective Member Username: Collective Post Number: 323 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 70.8.228.44 |
That's pretty funny. Best laugh I've had all day. Yup...Detroit will ALWAYS be stuck in the mire of the "rust belt". I complete forgot that unlike Detroit, GR has a THRIVING internationally recognized arts and culture scene, great music acts that are getting national...no...international acclaim, all the major ad agencies and PR firms of any major city like NYC, Chicago and SF, one of the largest film and video post production clusters in the country, and about 80% of all the research and design of the world's largest industry...not to mention is becoming the global home of the alternative energy economy. You're right...we'll never be able to compete with GR seeing how they all of that and then some. | ||
Jimaz Member Username: Jimaz Post Number: 461 Registered: 12-2005 Posted From: 68.2.191.57 |
Catman_dude, thank you for that very informative first post. I learned a lot. | ||
Thnk2mch Member Username: Thnk2mch Post Number: 61 Registered: 02-2006 Posted From: 71.65.11.152 |
Massive Riverfront Project Afoot By Daniel Schoonmaker Published: February 20, 2006 GRAND RAPIDS For well over a year, an unknown developer has been quietly working with property owners and high-ranking city officials on an ambitious project to redevelop a massive tract of land along Market Avenue between U.S. 131 and Wealthy Street. The planned development which is believed to include the 19-acre parcel of riverfront land the city began marketing last month would absorb over 30 acres in one of the largest investments ever in downtown Grand Rapids. Judging by options placed on neighboring properties, the project will border the Rapid Central Station on Grandville Avenue to the east, the Grand River to the west, the highway (with a ramp directly into the property at Cherry Street and Market) to the north, and Wealthy Avenue and Bartlett or Williams streets for an L-shaped southern boundary. The largest concern, according to insiders, remains whether property owners can be convinced to sell. Deborah Shurlow, real estate adviser and retail specialist for Grubb & Ellis/Paramount, has been actively soliciting property owners for an unnamed outside interest. She declined to comment, stating that, "As rumors get out, it makes my job harder to do." She said the project will likely go public within the month. "The very fact that there is a single developer in that area already, and he has been looking for a year or more, I think bodes well for the future of that district," said Grand Rapids Mayor George Heartwell of the area just south of the Van Andel Arena. Heartwell said he, City Manager Kurt Kimball and Deputy City Manager Eric DeLong have been working with the developer for over a year. Heartwell did not divulge specifics of the project, as he signed a confidentiality agreement last year, but did share details of the city's initial RFP for the 19 acres of city-owned land at 201 Market Ave. SW, commonly referred to as the Public Works Island. "I think there is tremendous potential on both sides of the street," he said. "This will be the next hot real estate market." He envisions mixed use, likely with high-rise residential along the river, incorporating retail and entertainment. He does not foresee any commercial office space, unless a large company opted to relocate its corporate headquarters there. "It becomes a blank palette for people to have an urban mixed use. It won't be just low-rise buildings," said DeLong. "This is a strategic property we've thought about for a long time." Susan Shannon, economic development director for the city, said any development will include public access to the river, with possibly a marina or kayak park. The winning proposal will also interact with the rest of downtown, she said, and incorporate its growing arts and entertainment district. Shannon was not included in the initial discussions, and last week said she was not aware of any proposals. Like most of the city, she first became aware of intentions to market the property in December as one of a half-dozen city properties presented by 3rd Ward Commissioner James White as targets for economic development. It is unclear whether White had any knowledge of the Shurlow development. He did not return calls made to his office. White, Shannon and DeLong sit on a committee that recently met with the Michigan Economic Develop Corp. to discuss marketing the parcel. One individual who was aware of the efforts is Eric Wynsma of Terra Firma Development. Shortly after acquiring roughly $1.5 million worth of property at 206, 207, 212 and 220 Grandville Ave. SW, he was approached by Shurlow to sell the property. Wynsma agreed to an option at market rate, but is actively pursuing redevelopment of the 150,000-square-foot property as a mixed-use complex. He hopes to capitalize on the growing residential density of the downtown area, and eventually contribute to it. An early tenant already fits that model: Downtown Self Storage. "It's very big and elaborate," said Wynsma, who is also under a confidentiality agreement. "I don't really know if it'll happen or not, and I can't say anything more because I'll get sued But my understanding is that most of the properties in the neighborhood are under option." Joel Langlois, president of Delta Properties and owner of the Intersection Lounge at 133 Grandville Ave. SW, said that he has been approached with a dozen offers, but has not signed an option. "Real estate is an interesting animal," he mused. "The value and use can change overnight depending on what your neighbor does." Dan Ronda of Ronda Tire at 130 Market Ave. SW indicated that the company had signed an option, but was not sure if it would sell. "It sounds like they need to get all the options in place," he said. "If they can't get all the options in place if there are three or four people who won't sell who knows?" Dave Custer, president and owner of Custer Office Environments at 217 Grandville Ave. SW, said he was excited about the new development in the neighborhood, but at this time has no intention of selling. "We're a unique situation," he said. "We've put a lot of money into this, more so than anyone else here. Secondly, this is where we want to be. Where else downtown can we find office, showroom and warehouse space all in the same facility?" With a value of more than $3.2 million, Custer's multi-unit facility, with large tenants including contract manufacturer The Tech Group, will be a difficult piece for Shurlow to attain. At 234 Market Ave. SW, another holdout could potentially derail the entire project. Mark London, proprietor of Sensations nightclub near Centerpointe Mall, is in the midst of renovating the former Sennett Steel building into an adult entertainment complex. "I'd sure rather not have Mark London's project there," Heartwell said. "It's not the kind of thing people want to live near, or the kind people want to work near or have their recreation." The mayor admitted that London's Sensations has no detrimental impact on its surrounding neighborhood, but felt this would be a different story. "His other club is fairly isolated on the perimeter. This is a tight, walking neighborhood a similar club is bound to have an adverse affect," Heartwell said. "The only thing I could imagine that would be positive would be if someone bought him out and he just wasn't there." London was approached by Shurlow last year, and he turned her down. "They indicated it was something huge," said London, who is not bound by a confidentiality agreement. "I didn't question it, but they were talking 10,000 jobs. I wracked my brain, and I can't imagine anything that would even approach that." London was convinced it was a casino or an amusement park, especially since he was offered help to relocate his project nearby. "They just didn't want me right across the street." With his project quietly nearing completion, he turned down that offer, as well. But upon hearing of the city's possible involvement, London indicated he was open to compromise. "I will not hold up the city from developing whatever they want to develop," he said. "I'm hearing this is a property of national significance. If it's going to help the city for me to not go into business or to buy me out shortly after we're in business we're talking two to three years from now, anyway I'm certainly not going to hold the property hostage." Next door at 235 Grandville Ave. SW and 248 Williams St. SW, Moch International is in the early stages of a nearly 200-unit apartment complex. "We haven't been approached (for an option)," said Joe Moch Jr. "But we see this as a fantastic project and couldn't see getting out of it. It will be very interesting to see what will be proposed for the rest of the area." Jim Decker of Taatjes & Tol, listed agent for the former Valley Retreading Service at 330 Market Ave. SW, referred questions to Shurlow. Currently, the city has issued an initial request seeking interest, qualifications and financial capability concerning its parcel. A detailed RFP will be issued to respondents this spring. The property is being appraised, while administrators are investigating the cost involved in relocating the city services currently headquartered there, including the Parks and Recreation Department, the Streets and Sanitation Department and the Computer Center. While the parcel is now being marketed, the final decision on whether to sell the property at all has yet to go before the city commission. BJX Grand Rapids Business Journal https://www.grbj.com/GRBJ/Arti cleArc...ject+Afoot.htm | ||
Gistok Member Username: Gistok Post Number: 1894 Registered: 08-2004 Posted From: 4.229.6.200 |
Thanks for posting this article Thnks2mch. As this article shows,land acquisition is going to be the main stumbling block. When I read this, I was immediately reminded of Mayor Archer's failed riverfront casino fiasco. When landowners hear "big project", they tend to think "big profits" for selling their land. And that is often a deal killer. | ||
Bob Member Username: Bob Post Number: 830 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 64.12.116.204 |
I was curious about the internationally known arts and culture scene in GR. My mother grew up in GR area, and she comes to Metro Detroit for the arts and culture. They do have an art gallery, but it is nothing like the DIA. The Grand Rapids Symphony is decent, but only is second tier symphony, the likes of Lansing Symphony, minus all the MSU music faculty playing in it. They play in the DeVos Performance Hall, which is no Max Center. They are building a new art institute building, but that is no where close to what the DIA already is has done and is doing. They do have an arts culture, but it is not what we already have here. |
