GRAND RAPIDS | Development Thread

[deja vu]

Something to keep an eye on...

Hinman Co. proposes redevelopment of Klingman’s Furniture site in Wyoming
By Nick Manes, MiBiz
May 02, 2017

WYOMING — A southwest Michigan real estate firm plans to redevelop a key site commercial site along 28th Street SW, according to public documents.

Portage-based The Hinman Co. says it wants to acquire the land and building that was previously home to Klingman’s Furniture and Rogers Department Store along 28th Street SW in Wyoming with hopes to redevelop the site into office space for a “national client..."

[deja vu]

Tech firm 'Switch' gave the public a peek inside the former Steelcase Pyramid, which has been repurposed into a high-security data center outside of Grand Rapids. They were clearly channeling some sort of James Bond Super-Villain aesthetic in the redesign. There's a short video in the link below, which shows some parts of the building, including an eerie swinging pendulum which is original to the 1989 structure.

New Switch images, video show interior of futuristic pyramid and elusive CEO

If you are like me and wondering what Switch is / what they do, according to Wikipedia:

Switch is a privately held company based in Las Vegas, Nevada. The company is the developer and operator of the SUPERNAP, data center facilities, and provides colocation, telecommunications, cloud services, and content ecosystems.[

Image Credit: MLive

[deja vu]

Kawasaki Engines Division - US Headquarters held a ribbon cutting today for the renovated R&D facility in Cascade Township. Some more photos / info here:

Kawasaki Engines revamps U.S. headquarters in Grand Rapids


Image Source: MLive

[deja vu]

I put together a basic chart for Kalamazoo County's latest Census figures, here. I figured I'd do the same for Grand Rapids / Kent County (it's a slow afternoon).

Post #212 of this thread shared US Census Data at the county level. As stated in that post, Kent County was the fastest growing county in the state from 2015 to 2016. The new information released yesterday by the US Census Bureau delves deeper into the numbers, offering estimated population changes for cities, villages, and townships between 2010 and 2016. As a whole, Michigan's population rose 0.5% from 2010 to 2016. Kent County was definitely among the positive contributors to this growth:



I highlighted the major population areas, and any community that had growth in excess of 10%. A few observations on the data:

• Every population area in the County experienced growth on some level.
• Algoma Township had the largest percentage of growth, at about 16.1%.
• Ada Township, Byron Township, Caledonia Township, Cascade Charter Township, Courtland Township, and Vergennes Township all had growth in excess of 10%.
• Grand Rapids is just a few thousand short of the 200,000 mark.
• Kentwood City exceeded 50,000 people.
• Wyoming City exceeded 75,000 people, which means it is now basically tied with Kalamazoo City for population size.

[subterranean]

I have been waiting for GR to break the 200k mark for years lol. Good to see positive gains toward that.

[deja vu]

Originally Posted by subterranean

I have been waiting for GR to break the 200k mark for years lol. Good to see positive gains toward that.

Indeed. It will be a great day when that happens, which at this rate, will be soon (next 2-3 years if current growth continues). The City of Grand Rapids gained 1,351 from 2015 to 2016.

[deja vu]

Riverfront hotel celebrates grand re-opening, new name
By Jim Harger | MLive
May 25, 2017

GRAND RAPIDS, MI - With a fresh coat of white and purple paint, new decor and a new room booking service, The Grand River Hotel celebrated its grand re-opening and new name on Wednesday, May 24. The 162-room hotel at 270 Ann Street NW is hoping to benefit from its proximity to the downtown area and the DeltaPlex sports and entertainment center, said Lakyra Shackelford, director of sales.

Full Article (with photos)

[deja vu]

Google's 'Trekker' backpack was in downtown Grand Rapids yesterday, to capture some pedestrian areas inaccessible to cars, including the Blue Bridge, Gillett Bridge, and some other walkways. Ernest Carreras, who probably has one of the best jobs out there, is getting paid by Google to go on a cross-country trek and basically just sight-see. Only downfall is having a 40-lb backpack strapped to your back. But he's probably ripped.

Google Street View maps downtown Grand Rapids with 'Trekker' backpack
Neil Blake | MLive
June 08, 2017


Image Source: Neil Blake | MLive

[deja vu]

In West Michigan...

Apartment concerns aside, commercial real estate outlook remains strong
by Nick Manes | MiBiz
June 11, 2017

Stakeholders in West Michigan’s commercial real estate and construction industries remain generally upbeat as they look toward the second half of the year. However, they share concerns about one of the region’s key sectors: urban multifamily apartments. With minimal inventory and high occupancy, downtown Grand Rapids and its surrounding neighborhoods still have more than a thousand units under construction or in various stages of development. Apartment developers like John Wheeler contend that while their projects continue to garner significant interest from renters, they may encounter a different situation six months or a year down the road...

[deja vu]

Shinola comes to Grand Rapids' Tanger Outlets:

Shinola opens 1st Grand Rapids area store
By Shandra Martinez | Live
June 16, 2017

BYRON TOWNSHIP, MI --  Luxury goods retailer Shinola has opened its first Grand Rapids area location. The Detroit-based company quietly unveiled a new store Thursday, June 15, in Tanger Outlets Mall, at 350 84th St SW, in Byron Township.

"We are excited to bring this iconic Michigan founded brand to our center," the mall said in a statement announcing the new store...The retailer has about a dozen stores around the world in cities such as London, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C. In Michigan, Shinola has stores in Midtown Detroit, downtown Ann Arbor and the Somerset Collection mall in Troy.

Image Source: Shandra Martinez | MLive

[deja vu]

Integrated Architecture is relocating their offices to downtown Grand Rapids:

Architectural firm leaving suburbs for downtown
By Jim Harger | MLive
June 15, 2017

GRAND RAPIDS, MI - Integrated Architecture is moving its headquarters and more than 50 employees from Kentwood to the North Monroe Neighborhood in downtown Grand Rapids. The architectural firm is planning to spend up to $2 million to remodel and move into a 97-year-old printing plant at 840 Ottawa Avenue NW that has been shuttered for the past 10 years.

Integrated Architecture, which 20 years ago built a unique headquarters with a 5-story conical tower and concrete walls that appeared to be falling down, has an option to purchase the building if it can get a tax break from the city.

....

Integrated Architecture's Current Home, in Kentwood:
Image Source: Integrated Architecture


Integrated Architeture's Future Home at 840 Ottawa Avenue NW
Image Source: Jim Harger | MLive

[deja vu]

The growth of architecture and engineering firms in GR continues...Rochester, New York-based Bergmann Associates announced that it is opening a second Michigan office in Grand rapids. This A/E Firm has done work for several projects in Grand Rapids, including the Home for Veterans Bridge and the Ehlers Amtrak Station. Their other Michigan location is in Lansing. There will be about 70 employees between the two Michigan offices.

Architecture firm opens West Side office
By Pat Evans, Grand Rapids Business Journal
June 21, 2017

[deja vu]

Ground breaking is scheduled next week for the Warner Building (150 Ottawa Ave, NW) in downtown GR. This is a 15-story mixed-use highrise that will be adjacent to a 12-story Hyatt Place hotel that will be constructed as part of the same development.

Two-tower project downtown breaking ground
By Pat Evans | Grand Rapids Business Journal
June 22, 2017

The groundbreaking for a two-tower development in the heart of downtown Grand Rapids is set for next week. The project at 150 Ottawa Ave. NW, dubbed Warner Building, will officially break ground at 11 a.m. on June 27, with site work underway. A 22-story tower crane will be used during construction. The most recently disclosed cost of the project is $63.5 million...

Images Source: Fox17 News Online

[deja vu]

This could be big news for west Michigan - I don't know why this wasn't done sooner; it will be interesting to see how it impacts the area. Lake Michigan’s first marine highway designation, connecting Milwaukee with Muskegon, will apparently launch this Fall:

Cross-lake shipping route to launch soon
By Rachel Watson | GRBJ
June 30, 2017

Midwest highways may be a little less crowded this summer, thanks to a cargo-shipping route across Lake Michigan. In lieu of sending freight trucks by land from Wisconsin through congested Chicago and up into Michigan — and vice versa — the new route will allow transit of goods from the Port of Milwaukee to the Port of Muskegon and back.

Les Brand, CEO of Grand Rapids-based logistics and transportation facilitator Supply Chain Solutions, announced the cross-lake shipping initiative at the Rail Supply Chain Summit 2017 in Chicago last month. Brand said SCS and its partners secured Lake Michigan’s first marine highway designation from the U.S. Department of Transportation as an alternative to trucking goods through one of the busiest routes in the country, I-80/I-94.

...

On the Muskegon side, the terminal will initially be at the Mart Dock. But future plans include construction of a new deep-water marine terminal at the site of Consumer's decommissioned B.C. Cobb power plant.

[deja vu]

This article explains some of the many challenges involved in getting the Warner Building underway, which broke ground last week. The final result will be a 2-tower, 2-phase project. First, a 15-story mixed-use highrise that will be anchored by Warner Norcross and Judd (law firm) and Chemical Bank. After that is built, construction will begin on a new Hyatt Place Hotel, to occupy an adjacent 12 story tower. The design of the hotel is said to be unconventional, model somewhat on the version in the Chicago Loop.

List of challenges no match for Orion
Construction company navigates obstacles to break ground on $72-million, two-tower development in heart of downtown GR.
By Pat Evans | GRBJ
June 30, 2017

[Docta_Love]

Originally Posted by deja vu

This could be big news for west Michigan - I don't know why this wasn't done sooner; it will be interesting to see how it impacts the area. Lake Michigan’s first marine highway designation, connecting Milwaukee with Muskegon, will apparently launch this Fall:



On the Muskegon side, the terminal will initially be at the Mart Dock. But future plans include construction of a new deep-water marine terminal at the site of Consumer's decommissioned B.C. Cobb power plant.

Very cool it makes a lot of sense as well anyone who has taken 94 through Chicago on a trip around Lake Michigan can attest, hopefully Muskegon can build on this opportunity. The area already has a great natural harbor in Muskegon Lake great to see it being taken advantage of and improved on without disturbing the natural beauty of the area (I love Muskegon State Park). Hopefully this will bring more jobs and vibrancy to the city i know downtown was hit very hard by urban renewal efforts despite that the area has so much going for it but at the same time has had its share of struggles recently.



I pulled this from the article i like that the shipping initiative is just the beginning the planned expansion and construction of logistics and processing facilities is what makes this interesting.

While the shipping initiative initially will launch from Muskegon’s Mart Dock, Brand said the plan is to eventually move operations into the site of the decommissioned B.C. Cobb power plant, which Consumers Energy sold to North Carolina-based Forsite Development this spring, pending Michigan Public Service Commission approval. Consumers said in April that Forsite would demolish the plant within two years and convert it into a deep-water marine terminal. “(Founder and President Tom McKittrick) at Forsite will develop the site; his plan is to work the port service into it, looking at food processing support and other things happening in Muskegon,” Brand said. “That’s an even bigger plan long term.”

[deja vu]

Developer raises $8.7 million for Market Avenue Place
Written by  Nick Manes | MiBiz
June 25, 2017

GRAND RAPIDS — The developers of a mixed-use project being built on the southwest side of downtown just completed an $8.7 million capital raise to finalize a construction loan. With the loan in place from Chemical Bank, Grand Rapids - Market Avenue Place LLC, a subsidiary of East Lansing-based Maplegrove Property Management LLC, will continue moving forward with the $56.5 million project at 234 Market Ave. SW...Market Avenue Place will offer 235 new market-rate apartments and 30,000 square feet of commercial space plus parking in a largely industrial section of the city’s urban core...The project sits on a 2-acre parcel due west of Founders Brewing Co. and immediately northeast of the city-owned 201 Market Ave. site where requests for proposals are currently being evaluated and where future large-scale developments are anticipated...

Image Source: MiBiz Staff

[deja vu]

Great news for Grand Rapids. I knew it was doing well; but I wouldn't have guessed it would rank first in the country for job growth when compared with the nation's 53 largest metro areas (w/ 1 million-plus residents):

Grand Rapids ranked No. 1 in U.S. for job growth
By Jim Harger | MLive
July 05, 2017

GRAND RAPIDS, MI - The Grand Rapids metropolitan area was the fastest growing economy in the U.S. last year, according to Headlight Data, a company that tracks economic and workforce development. Grand Rapids' workforce grew 4.4 percent last year...[and]...Total employment in the four-county region grew from 516,394 in 2015 to 539,152 in 2016, Headlight said. More recently, the workforce for the region stood at 575,600, according to state figures released on June 22. Unemployment stood in West Michigan stood at 2.8 percent in May, slightly up from April, went the jobless rate stood at 2.4 percent...Nashville was the second fastest growing economy at 4 percent followed by Charlotte, N.C. and Salt Lake City at 3.7 percent. Other large metros with rapidly growing economies are Riverside, Raleigh and Jacksonville...

[deja vu]

GVSU announced yesterday its plans for construction of a new $70 million building in order to expand its health campus along the medical mile downtown. The new building will be adjacent to the Cook-DeVos Center for Health Sciences at 333 Michigan St NE, and will be 160,000 SF across five stories. The school also announced a 4% tuition rate hike.

Grand Valley State announces expansion to Grand Rapids health campus, sets tuition
July 14, 2017 | GVNow

Grand Valley is expanding its health campus in downtown Grand Rapids to accommodate the ever-increasing demand from students and health care providers. The university's Board of Trustees approved a building project on the Medical Mile on Michigan Street at its July 14 meeting. The new building, at 333 Michigan, will be next to Grand Valley's Cook-DeVos Center for Health Sciences and within a block of Raleigh J. Finkelstein Hall, currently under construction on Lafayette Avenue.

The new $70 million building project will create additional spaces for the health professions and nursing programs. Construction is scheduled to begin in June 2018, with the opening set for May 2021. Finkelstein Hall is 84,000 square feet and will be completed next May...

Images Source: GVNow

[deja vu]

Kent County will officially be selling its property at 82 Ionia NW:

Kent County plans to spend $20M to replace downtown building
By Mark Tower | MLive
July 14, 2017

GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- Kent County's plan to sell an office building it owns in downtown Grand Rapids continues to move forward despite the reservations of at least one county commissioner. After more than an hour of discussion during a meeting Thursday, July 13, a recommendation to sell the property at 82 Ionia NW and build a new facility at Kent County's Fuller Avenue campus moved to the next step...