GRAND RAPIDS | Development Thread

[deja vu]

Warner Tower construction progress, as posted by DGRI on their facebook page, 6/20/2018 -


Source: Facebook / DGRI

[Docta_Love]

It's definitely disappointing that the height of the Ionia project was dropped so much but it's better to have a project that works in the end for everyone obviously. All in all I do like the project and it adds more density to a downtown area that has seen a tremendous amount of construction for over the past decade. A win just not a knock-down stomp-out slaughter-fest of a victory. haha.

I always appreciative the GR updates!

[deja vu]

Michigan's fourth "Fulfillment Center" is coming soon...

Construction on Amazon center near Grand Rapids could start in next few months
Brian McVicar | MLive
June 20, 2018

GAINES TOWNSHIP, MI -- It's official: Amazon is moving forward with plans to build a fulfillment center in Gaines Township. The Seattle-based online retail giant on Tuesday confirmed it would build a more than 850,000-square-foot facility on 100 acres of vacant land on the corner of 68th Street and Patterson Avenue SE, about four miles south of Gerald R. Ford International Airport. A groundbreaking date has not been set, but construction on the facility - which is expected to employee 1,000 people - could start as soon as the "next couple months," said Amazon spokesperson Shevaun Brown...

[Docta_Love]

This came up on the national AP feed I check out from time to time, cool to see GR getting some attention by Ford at a time when it has huge plans on the east side of the state. As the article does state growth in West Michigan has really been incredible over the past 15 - 20 years Kent County has even overtaken the perennially booming Livingston as the fastest growing in the state although this coinsides with the national trend of slower growth in exurban areas.

Ford's next 'City of Tomorrow' is Grand Rapids, Michigan

Timothy J. Seppala
Engadget
June 27, 2018



Ford's investment in the Mitten State isn't over. Last week the company announced that it was transforming the aging Michigan Central Station in Detroit into an innovation hub for things like autonomous vehicles and smart cities. Today the automaker is 130 miles west in Grand Rapids to reveal the $100,000 Grand Rapids City of Tomorrow Challenge to crowdsource solutions to the state's second largest city's mounting traffic and mobility woes.

Essentially, it's a pitch-off for community-sourced ideas related to how lethargic it can be to get around in the rapidly growing city. Or, as Ford describes it in a press release, a "platform created to help prepare cities for the future and bring groups of people together to design and pilot new solutions to improve mobility in cities." Other participating cities are Miami and Pittsburgh.

The pitch process sounds simple enough. Like in Miami, residents start by voicing their concerns about the city's mobility woes online, and after that Ford will discuss the data that it has collected from the Challenge's website.

"When I saw the community engagement piece, I flipped," program director Josh Kwant told the Miami Herald earlier this month. "I saw how powerful it was, when you're talking to residents about mobility challenges, when we got people together, what it provides; it's almost at a focus group level. You learn what the real issues are."

Applications for Grand Rapids open the week of July 23rd with semifinalists to be chosen in September. From there, semifinalists will have opportunities for mentoring and prototyping to shepherd their idea to the finish line, with $100,000 going to the best ones. The prize money comes from AT&T; Dell Technologies; the Michigan Economic Development Corporation's mobility initiative, PlanetM; Microsoft and more. However, at this stage it isn't clear how many will have to split the prize pot.

Unlike Detroit, Grand Rapids doesn't have seven lanes for traffic in its main thoroughfares; it has four or five. Grand Rapids is only about a quarter of the size of the Motor City, and its briskly growing population means traffic congestion has become a problem in recent years. That's likely because as public transit ridership has dropped in the city, car ownership has increased among families, with most owning two or more vehicles.

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/ford-...143000070.html

https://www.engadget.com/2017/10/06/...it-tech-scene/

[The Best Forumer]

sounds a lot like Delta City...

[deja vu]

The developer for 601 Bond released a new rendering or two a few days ago. Since they weren't posted here yet...




Source: MLive | Courtesy Renderings

There's some pretty consistent / good photo updates on this project over at Urban Planet. Also came across this construction update video, showing the 14th floor being poured, about 2 weeks ago now.

• Video Link

[deja vu]

Just a few quick updates - thanks to folks at Urban Planet who took the photos.

• Studio Park is coming above ground now. There's a few photos here (scroll down).
  
• The new Meijer is coming along as well, some photos here (again, scroll further down).
  
• Finally, Warner Tower is making its presence known on the skyline.

[deja vu]

Lots to get caught up on. I used some Urban Planet posters' photos below, as a teaser - I recommend going to the links provided below to see more photos, if interested. In no particular order...

1. Bridge Street Market

This is getting close to opening. The word is that employees are already on-site for training. The quality of design and materials here is outstanding. From August 1 -

Source: Zap! | Urban Planet

From August 4 -

Source: civitas | Urban Planet

2. Diamond Place (1003 Michigan St. NE)

Two new food tenants are confirmed for the ground floor retail spaces. This project is a bit more dull than the Bridge Street Market development but it's still a win for the neighborhood.

Sushi bar and smoothie café joining Michigan Street project
Ehren Wynder | GRBJ
August 7, 2018

An apartment project just east of Medical Mile has signed two new tenants for its ground-floor retail space. Diamond Place in Grand Rapids, at 1003 Michigan St. NE, will feature Chidorii Ramen & Sushi Bar and Tropical Smoothie Café. The development, which should be finished this fall, is a $42-million joint venture between Grand Rapids-based Third Coast Development and PK Development Group...

Source: GRBJ | Courtesy Diamond Place

3. 601 Bond

This project is basically topped out. They are working on the mechanical penthouse floor, which is set back a bit. From August 7 -

Source: elcels | Urban Planet

4. Embassy Suites

Right next door, the Embassy Suites is progressing with exterior finishes that look top-notch. From August 1 -

Source: GRDadof3 | Urban Planet

5. Studio Park

Progress from yesterday, August 10 -

Source: ironyisadeadscene | Urban Planet

6. Warner Building

This tower had a topping off ceremony in August 9. The adjacent Hyatt tower is progressing as well.

Orion Construction 'topping off' 15-story Warner Building downtown
Ehren Wynder | GRBJ
August 2, 2018

Orion Construction is hosting a “topping-off” ceremony next week for the 15-story Warner Building in downtown Grand Rapids. The ceremony, at 150 Ottawa Ave. NW, will begin at 11 a.m. on Aug. 9 and include placement of a Christmas tree, American flag and signing of the last structural beam by the Orion team and city staff before it’s hoisted into place...

From August 6 -

Source: arcturus | Urban Planet

7. Calder Plaza Redesign

It sounds like DGRI, the city, and Progressive AE are still a ways away from final design documents for the reimagined Calder Plaza. I can imagine the difficulties and pressure of this work. It has a lot of different stakeholders, a complex history, and is more less the perceived front porch of the city and county administration. It's too soon for me to tell how much impact the permanent changes will truly have.

Calder Plaza redesign includes pavilion, café
Progressive AE hopes to have final design in place by next June.
Ehren Wynder | GRBJ
August 10, 2018

The Grand Rapids Downtown Development Authority approved the initial design phase to make permanent improvements to Calder Plaza. Phase 1 of improvements encompass the southeastern edge of the plaza and include edge planting improvements, a great pavilion with a stage and a café building...

Source: DGRI / Progressive AE

[MJLO]

Wow great thread! Thanks for your tenacity in keeping things up to date for the area.

[The North One]

Bridge street market is some great urban infill! Love the texture on the brick.

[deja vu]

Originally Posted by MJLO

Wow great thread! Thanks for your tenacity in keeping things up to date for the area.

Thanks. I feel quite behind actually. I've been busy with projects around the house and want to make another photo update trip soon.

[deja vu]

Originally Posted by deja vu

Thanks. I feel quite behind actually. I've been busy with projects around the house and want to make another photo update trip soon.

Until I do that, here's an attempt at some updates, with heavy reliance on the fine work of folks over at Urban Planet.

601 Bond - the building is far along and the tower crane is coming down.


Source: Urban Planet (GRDadof3

Another view, from 9/21/18 -

Source: Urban Planet (GRDadof3)

Embassy Suites (from end of August) -

Source: Urban Planet (crinzema)

Bridge Street Market is open. Some folks are worried this will put too much pressure on the Downtown Market. I think both will be fine. They are far enough geographically and offering-wise.





Source: Urban Planet

Studio Park is well underway. These photos are from over a month ago now (9/5/18) -




More recently (9/28/18) -



Source: Urban Planet

Warner Tower (background) / Hyatt Place (foreground) on September 19 -

Source: Urban Planet (GRDadof3)

[DetroitSky]

Great stuff!

[deja vu]

Very sad news. Fatal accident at the 50 Monroe project site on Saturday.

Worker dies after accident at downtown Grand Rapids construction site
John Tunison | MLive
October 20, 2018

Followed by some slightly better news. The old BP gas station next to the new Bridge street Market Meijer will get replaced by.... a gas station!

Firm plans West Side gas station
Ehren Wynder | GRBJ
October 19, 2018

Stockbridge Retail, LLC, an affiliate of Grand Rapids-based Rockford Construction, plans to demolish the old BP gas station 438 Stocking Ave. NW and develop a new gas station and convenience store for Walker-based Meijer to complement the nearby Bridge Street Market and Hendrik development. The proposed $1.4-million Meijer gas station is expected to create nine full-time jobs. The site, which has served as a service station since the 1960s, experienced underground storage tanks leaks in 1979, 1987 and 2017...

So there's going to be some MDEQ grant funding, most likely.

[LMich]

A long time in coming after a massive downgrade, but the sleek 10 Ionia NW could break ground either late December of early January.



Developer may break ground on 13-story Grand Rapids hotel by late December

GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- Construction on a 13-story hotel - a Marriott Residence Inn with first floor retail space - could start in late December or early January, the project developer told the Grand Rapids City Commission Tuesday night.

The hotel will have 146 rooms, and the developer estimates the project will create 51 full-time equivalent jobs, with hourly wages that range from $10 to $31.25. Construction is expected to be complete by mid- to-late 2020.

In addition, the building - which boasts a unique, flatiron-shape to fit the triangular shaped lot it's being built upon - will feature 5,555-square-feet of ground floor retail space. MacDonald said no retail tenants have signed onto the project yet.

[subterranean]

Major bummer. File under /whocaresanymore

[deja vu]

I had a brief time to wander around yesterday evening before a concert in Grand Rapids. The tower crane for the Hyatt Hotel tower is being disassembled. Forgive the blurriness of the photos, I didn't think to bring my camera. My old cell phone takes crummy pictures, and even worse in dim light.

[deja vu]

Bad news. It sounds like the 7-story office building as proposed by Franklin Partners and designed by Wright Heerema Architects is getting scrapped:

$30M office tower nixed from Grand Rapids studio park development
Brian McVicar | MLive
October 29, 2018

GRAND RAPIDS, MI - A development firm has nixed its plans for a $30 million office tower planned for the Studio Park development in downtown Grand Rapids. Franklin Partners, which has offices in Grand Rapids and Chicago, said it wasn't able to secure enough tenants for the project...

Image Source (Previously Posted): MIBiz | Courtesy Rendering - Franklin Partners LLC / Wright Heerema Architects

[deja vu]

100+ more units of affortable housing announced recently for Grand Rapids' West side, in the form of two different mixed-use developments. The first will be located right north of Meijer's Bridge Street Market / The Hendrik development. Inner City Christian Federation is leading the effort, with Rockford Construction serving as the CM. Rockford's HQ is right there too, and they also did the Meijer project. So it's kinda becoming the town that Rockford built around there. A bit more of a "traditional" / neo-classical style to this one.

Affordable housing project to serve Grand Rapids' growing Bridge Street corridor
Brian McVicar | MLive
October 31, 2018

An affordable housing development is coming to the burgeoning Bridge Street corridor just west of downtown Grand Rapids, where advocates say growing investment in new restaurants and retailers has resulted in rising rent, hurting low-income families. Construction is expected to kick-off next month on Stockbridge Apartments, a 64-unit building with first-floor retail space at 636 First St. NW. A partnership between the Inner City Christian Federation and Rockford Construction, the building will include 51 apartments reserved for low-income residents, with the remaining 13 units available at market-rate pricing...

Source: MLive | Courtesy ICCF

The second is a bit further north, off of Alpine Ave., between Leonard and Richmond. Interesting thing about this one is that there are plans for three commercial live-work spaces and 900 SF of community space, and a community garden. The rendering provided by GRBJ is very small, I blew it up larger so it is pretty blurry.

Nonprofit building West Side affordable housing project
Ehren Wynder | GRBJ
November 1, 2018

A local nonprofit has broken ground on a $13.4-million affordable housing building on the city’s West Side. Grand Rapids-based Dwelling Place started construction on the 45-unit Harrison Park Apartments this fall as a mixed-use development that will provide housing for households at or below 60 percent of area median Income. The four-story building at 1400 Alpine Ave. NW will feature two- and three-bedroom apartments, between 858 and 1342 square feet. Residents will also have access to in-unit laundry...

Source: GRBJ | Courtesy Progressive AE

MLive just put together a 'before and after' compilation for the planned improvements along the Grand River. If you haven't heard about this proposal yet, it is referred to as the "River for All" project - a $40 million proposal by the City and various partners to restore the river to a more natural state by establishing more connections. One of the longer-term goals of this is to encourage new development. Anyway, you can see the before & after views at the link below:

Compare vision for 6 spots along Grand River to what's there now
Brian McVicar | MLive
November 5, 2018

GRAND RAPIDS, MI - The public got its first look last week at a proposal to transform six public spaces along the Grand River into a hub of activity for bicyclists, kayakers and others who want to spend more time along the river. And there's no shortage of big ideas. The plan, known as River for All, calls for amenities such as event pavilions, community plazas, children's play areas, a winter lodge for year-round educational and cultural events...

[DetroitSky]

New hotel planned for Ada

The owner of CityFlats Hotel, which has locations in Grand Rapids, Holland and Port Huron, hopes to break ground on a 24-room hotel on River Street in the Village of Ada next year.

The cost of the project is not being released at this time.

The hotel will have an "upscale, modern decor and a variety of luxury amenities," according to a news release announcing the project. The two-story, 37,297-square-foot building would include a lounge, multiple meeting rooms, a rooftop deck, and an event space with room for up to 225 people.