PR-15
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Posts posted by PR-15
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It would be cool though if they can work it into an old building, like Columbus' North Market (mentioned in the article):
Which old building would be a good question. There aren't that many vacant ones left downtown.
I recently did some shooting inside this Columbus North Market...and I gotta say it's just about the perfect size/scale for GR...it was AWESOME. Bakeries, chocolatiers, fresh seafood, gourmet ICE CREAM...etc.
Every vendor there was hyper local and had permanent booth spaces...so think of Wealthy St. Bakery, Pallazolo's ice cream, Mary Ann's Chocolate, Art of the Table, Ginko Studios (florist), The Cheese Lady (from Muskegon) all having spaces there.
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With all due respect, that attitude is what will keep losing you votes or support on things you want.
You guys want to keep trashing people of this area like we are all a bunch of backwoods goons? Then you are going to see even heaver opposition next time around. People on the NO side gave valid reasons why they said no. We are not here to ensure some "young person" can have a BRT toy to play on. If they leave GR over something so flaky then good riddance, because they are spoiled brats that really need to get some perspective on life. And if you can't love this area over something like this, then you never really loved it anyway.
That my way or the highway stuff wont get you far no mater where you go.
No "solid case" for this thing was made. Like we said before, it is a bus that ran through a rundown part of the area, full of nothing that was a draw for anyone, and served no immediate need, but taxes would still go up to keep the thing running in the hopes that all types of cool stuff was going to result. Just dont ask what that is cause the ITP couldn't name anything. It reeked of an effort just to put a bullet point in a brochure to send out to companies looking to relocate. Come to GR: We have a BRT! Just dont ask us where it runs to...
But who cares about those little things that we small-minded folks actually considered when voting no. We are all just stupid people who reinforce the stereotypes of actual small-minded people in other cities that look down on us for not having a BRT.
Come up with a better plan, in small stages, that has a BRT or whatever, run to someplace where people live and want to go. Build it small, and build it right. Work with all the people and address their VALID concerns with things like townhalls and better presentations.
Where was the 7:00 special on WoodTV detailing BRT and how it would be good for us?
Where were the developers in ads stating that they had projects on the drawing boards along this route?
Where were the renderings of the stations that would have been built? Would have been pretty inspiring to see all of this stuff drawn out. Would have won you some votes.
What the heck did ITP do for 5 years when they should have been educating the public?!
It's not my responsibility to reward them for a shoddy effort. Maybe they thought yard signs and a snotty attitude towards dissenters would win the day? Sorry.
Hey...supporters are doing some wound licking today
...we'll get there...it just might take another decade...many people see no urgency/value to this issue.No one's being particularly snotty toward NO voters...I was more lamenting the LOST TIME toward putting SOMETHING in place that gets us moving around the city and is a solid catalyst for private investment.
It's a free country...there's plenty of reason to vote no on any issue...but I demand you remove "urbanist" from your user name
(kidding) -
Neither Michigan nor GR has ever seen any of it's tax dollars come back to our state from the FTA. You may not have loved every bit of it but this is the project that the feds would fund. This one. Not the in our dreams, but this one. This is the project that could have at least started our region on the path to real mass transit. And please don't compare BRT to regular bus service, I have ridden BRT and I regularly ride the Division route. There is no comparison, absolutely none.
This was our best shot of getting the transit ball rolling in our city. How can that be anything but a risk worth taking? Now we are back to spinning our wheels again. Meanwhile every year many of our best and brightest pack up an move elsewhere. I've personally said goodbye to several in the last couple of years. I'm not trying to be alarmist, this is simply my experience and if I had a more portable career, I'd be on Monster and MediaBistro today searching for jobs in Chi/New/Port/Austin. Because, I'll be honest, this morning it seems as though this is not really the city that I tell myself I love. This is not the area that I try to sell all my friends on.
The case was made and the case was solid. Some may have sincerely considered the details and found it lacking, but many many more simply wanted to say no to a minuscule tax increase because it meant they had a small measure of control over the current financial chaos. I called dozens of those people over the last week and everyone had made their decision without even seeking a single scrap of information for or against the project.
As far as I'm concerned it's on the 'no-voters' to explain how taking the first step towards a fixed-guideway transit system is somehow a bad thing. The risk was so small, the rewards long term from having a foot in the door with the FTA could be so great. Call it federal cash grab if you like, but the truth is we are not likely to get permanent transit infrastructure built without FTA funds and this is the project that they would fund. You may not like their requirements, they may not make sense to you but it is the system within which we have to work. And that system demands a mix of current ridership (what you call duplication of services is a requirement!) and many other factors which add up to Division.
How, specifically, is this a bad project to get us started? Do you honestly disbelieve the experience of other cities that have made similar investments? Why? Everyone that I talked to riding the Cleveland brt had nothing but praise for the experience. Are you really able to dismiss it as 'not as good as rail' and therefore bad? Please help me understand, because right now I'm more disappointed with my 'place' than I can even express.
Thanks, Andy...between this vote and the idiots spewing crap about ArtPrize by way of trashing our community and reinforcing all the same, old, tired stereotypes about GR, it does make me wonder if I've been brainwashing myself to think GR could ever get to someplace other than where we've already been for the last 40 years.
I'm looking forward to another decade of the status quo...it's invigorating.
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This is a very unique and insightful angle on ArtPrize by the "People" who designed the ArtPrize logo...it's worth a quick read:
http://www.peopledesign.com/thoughts-on-th...tprize/#respond
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If you were to stand up and say that any altogether positive but to the average person uninteresting event is going to change Grand Rapids for all time, people are going to roll their eyes and probably have a negative reaction to the news in general. This is what is happening. It takes a lot of faith to have the that type of enthusiasm. Don't be offended because people don't share yours.
So what exactly is "interesting" to the average person? Is there any single event that consistently engages even 15% of the local population? I don't really have much personal interest (or the time) to attend 95% of the events around GR, but I'm happy people turn out for them and make an impact on someone's economy.
Lots of people do not enjoy The Griffins/Rampage/Whitecaps/Kenny Chesney/tractor pulls/symphony/opera/Broadway Theater Guild...but few question the contributions these events make to our community. And what about The John Ball Park Zoo, Frederik Meijer Gardens, GRAM? Lots of locals never darken those doors...but most would agree they are invaluable to the fabric of GR and create a positive impression of GR that far exceeds the numbers at the turn-styles.
SXSW is a predominantly a music festival so your comment about people not "coming out to see the art" in Austin is a little misleading. ArtPrize will include all art, and that can include music, film, digital projection and all forms of traditional media. So if you don't like a particular piece of art/media you can always stroll down to the next building hosting an entirely different artist.
If 300,000-500,000 people turnout annually for our proud (but very tired) "Festival of the Arts" every June to eat questionable food for 3 days, ArtPrize's potential to draw a significantly larger and more diverse audience over a 2 week period is incalculable at this point. The bottom line is you're going to see an international art competition with 1000's of visitors coming to GR from this country and many others.
Giddy up.
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Well people are right to ask questions or to express concerns. This was kind of tossed out from nowhere and into everyone's laps without a real precedent in recent history. No one is being a professional naysayer by just voicing these things.
You're right. Nothing like this has ever been done on this scale. That is why you just dont tie the blindfold on and grab the nearest pom poms. A lot of people are going to have questions that just cant be blown off as them being party poopers.
What you've read here is nothing compared to what people have being saying elsewhere.
Urbanist, could you give some examples of what a negative result might be from this competition? I'm honestly trying to get my head around what might be a truly "negative" outcome.
Possibly that it "under-delivers" in some way in someone's mind?
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There's suddenly so many expert naysayers in the room about a social/artistic/viral event that's never been done on this scale. I'm sure you're all geniuses and experts in this field but for now I think I'll take the stance that this is a win/win.
ArtPrize can't possibly be a negative thing for Grand Rapids...lighten up.
And I can't believe politics would play into international artists wanting (or not wanting) to participate. There is a ton of cash on the table...and a democratic chance at winning...giddy up.
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Reminding you all that if you can make it down to Lyon Square for the 9 am announcement I'm sure it will prove interesting...and a nice turnout of people no doubt on a beautiful morning.
I'm not sure if cookies will be served...but if there are I'd suggest you get there early because I'll be able to find that table pretty quickly
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If the Earth Day this is no coincidence, then I'm not sure what to speculate on any more.
Edit: Edited to meet the 140 character limit.
Actually tSlater, the 140 character limit won't take effect until Thursday's big announcement...so feel free to arrange your characters into lengthy manifestos until then.
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I was just handed a memo by legal that I'm required to put spoiler boxes over your post, due to the extreme sensitive nature of the situation.
I will have more info as it is handed to me on a silver platter.
Come on, UP does not have a legal department...especially one that would had deliver a memo to GRDAD (we all know he rarely wears pants as a moderator).
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I hate to be the spoiler...it's multi-faceted...damn the torpedos, I'm spillin' everything I know. Rick DeVos will announce the following:
1. It's a free lifetime supply of sidewalk chalk for GR residents (but only if you live or work inside the DID...screw the 'burbs).
2. A free Husqvarna ice-sculpting chain saw for making winter sidewalk decorations (must live or work inside the DID to be eligible for chain saw giveaway)
3. Poulan chain saws are on back order (they're American made but hard to come by)
3. Eric Prince will be announced as the new GR City Manager (the GRPS teachers unions have been put on notice already...tic-tock...they just might want to re-think those contract demands while Eric has you dangling from a BlackHawk helicopter).
4. Rapid Growth will be announced as the only authorized media company allowed to tell sugary and positive stories about GR.
5. The GR Press will high-jack the press conference and announce yet another mlive search engine improvement.
6. Urban Planet will announce a 140 character limit to posts.
Just remember...you didn't hear this from me...I'd be in HUGE trouble if this leak points back to me.
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I'm trying to figure out who knows what on here. I'm pretty sure PR-15 and Yankeefan know what it is (even though I don't think they know each other). GRBrit, are you involved with this somehow?
I can't confirm...(or deny, ahem
) . I'm just saying I can't WAIT for Thursday's announcement. I will be there w/bells on...and let's just say if you love this city you might want to take an hour out of your day and soak it in. -
Major initiative that will affect the city of Grand Rapids for years to come:
According to the Grand Rapids Press something is going to happen this Thursday. Furthermore people were passing out postcards (see below) on Saturday during the Chalk Flood confirming that there was indeed going to be some sort of event on Thursday at 9 a.m. I haven't been able to find anything else out beyond what appears to be a link to a UStream account called "event-4-23-09 at 9am." The logo on the post card matches the Ustream profile setup so I'm assuming that this event is going to be streamed live. Anybody have any other information regarding this?
Grand Rapids Press Story:
http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/ind...nders_gran.html
Ustream account:
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/event-4-23-09-9am
Please come in person to this announcement if you can, I would strongly suggest it's going to be worth your time/effort to be there...
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Leased! Although I'm not sure for which space in 15 Ionia. I think this sign is for the front space, which used to be Gallery Noir maybe? Photography Room was in the back.
Maybe Bar Divani is taking over all these spaces?
I don't know who is in there but I can tell you for sure that it's not Bar Divani. When I was in talks w/CWD about extending our lease at the gallery, this space was talked about but they said there was already "strong interest" in the space. So it's a done deal whoever it is. I'll keep you posted if I hear who went in.
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Looks like we lost another retailer downtown. Per Chris Knape, Brian Kelly's Photography Room on Ionia SW is closing.
Yeah, after almost 7 years we aren't renewing our lease. I would have loved to keep it going but fortunately I'm so busy with commercial photography and film projects (www.briankellyphoto.net) that it really didn't make much sense to keep the gallery operation going.
All told I owned two different galleries that spanned the last 12 years or so. We opened our first place on the heels of the arena opening in 1997. It was a great run but it's time to move on to other interests.
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This is likely to be Grand Rapids
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Armchair quarterbacks? Who me?
I'm not saying you don't have a nice tight spiral on the deep passes...sorry...did that sound weird??...cause it felt weird typing it.
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I originally stated a range of $10,000-50,000 as a tool to get a peak at some initial design concepts taking the actual site into consideration...not final plans. I never suggested it was wise to pay $50,000 to a firm and then hate the design and then be starting from scratch.
What I meant to suggest was that it would be a wise investment to select 2 or 3 firms to provide concepts...and pay them a stipend of $6,000-10,000 each for a good look at their concepts (again, concepts). This $30,000 investment on a multi-million dollar project is prudent to get the crucial design elements started and is also more fair to the firms.
Agree to disagree...but it's interesting to note that those speaking against the charrette system are actually making a living in the industry, but it would seem that most of the people posting opinions on the side of "compete at any cost" are not actually working in the field of architecture.
I'd have to side with the design professionals on this one and not armchair quarterbacks.
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I guess that begs the question then: if I'm a client like Gilmore and need a high-rise mixed-use development in Grand Rapids, where do I go to have it designed?
a) I've never done a project like this before
b) The architects I've used in the past have all done either small buildings (Blue Water Grill), or additions/build-outs
c) There aren't a lot of architects in town who do projects like this
Personally, I don't think I would necessarily go with a firm that I had a working relationship with, just because I had a good relationship with them. The firm's owner and I might have done a lot of projects together, we might be old friends, but that doesn't mean I'm going to get the best looking design that fits my vision. Good relationship does not equal good design.
I'm not advocating that creative professionals give away their work all the time. But, in circumstances like this, it might be warranted. The J.W. Marriott, Van Andel Institute, GRAM, Gallery on Fulton, and the Children's Hospital all had multiple concepts from multiple firms submitted.
If you don't like charrettes, don't participate in them. Especially smaller firms where there is little room for speculative concepts. But I don't think charrettes are "dragging the entire industry" down.
edit: Ted, It's what is done in the industry, especially on larger projects with larger firms involved. I have a relative who is an architect for one of the largest AE firms in the country, and design competitions to get work, especially on high-profile projects, is the norm.
So maybe we'll just have to see if Gilmore pays anyone or not. Considering his long-standing reputation in the area, I would say he's good for it.
Uh, this is silly. We're only talking about the frickin' DESIGN of the entire building and how it integrates visually and aesthetically into a community.
Additionally, much of the success of these type of boutique hotel/retail/living concepts is based on the success of the DESIGN. If you're investing millions and millions of dollars into a location with the hope of long term profitability and also hope to make a statement architecturally, wouldn't it make sense to set aside even $10,000-50,000 is the first phase of the project to insure you have a 1st tier architect working on it with you???
Do you want to shave a few dollars off of DESIGN to save a few bucks? That's a small percentage of the overall project cost. The asphalt being poured around the building will cost a lot more than that and no one would argue that it should be poured for free.
It's upside down. You're cultured to ask for this stuff for free...but that doesn't make it right or the best approach to developing a site that happens to have so much at stake in the DESIGN.
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It's not necessarily a false distinction. He could have hired some "international" starchitecture firm, assuming he'd get the best design possible, which many developers have done in Grand Rapids. Instead, he has decided to have various local firms "compete on a concept" of what the project would look like. Wouldn't that bring out some of the best ideas? Sometimes, in order to get work, you have to audition for the work and not get paid (and that goes for virtually any creative field), IMPE.
GVSUChris, who knows. Maybe 12 - 18 months (then you'll be surprised if they come out earlier).
I think this project is still years away from ground-breaking.Sorry to disagree, GRDAD. It's a bad system. When you get ready for a happy meal you don't eat a hamburger at Wendy's, McDonalds and Rally's and then just pay for the one that tasted the best. There are real costs involved for each firm to develop their concepts on your behalf...which charrette's ignore or disregard.
IMO, it's a disrespectful approach to design talent...I get approached all the time this way for photography...and I run for the hills. Because typically you can never make money on these "spec" clients. They tend to try to undercut your fees all the way down the line because they never put any value on your talent and time in the first place.
That being said, I've personally always had a good experience with Mr. Gilmore and he's been very fair with me.
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Glen Phillips (lead singer of Toad the Wet Sprocket) is playing a solo acoustic concert at The Photography Room on April 8.
Should be a great show...it's a really good venue for intimate concerts. More info at:
www.myspace.com/thephotographyroom
Here's a video of Glen playing a Toad song:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=TmC1_J_Njsw
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OMG! Apparently WOODTV has just now discovered that the riverwalk is closed much of the winter due to high water levels:
http://www.woodtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=7...mp;nav=menu44_2
It will be interesting to see what else people notice as they "rediscover" downtown.
But I did notice the other day that the city got brand spanking new signs that explain why the riverwalk is closed, and to "come back and visit the beautiful riverwalk in the warmer months" or something similar. Much better than the KEEP OUT signs there before. I'll have to get a picture.
I love how the reporter asks if the city is "aware of any plans to 'revamp' the riverwalk so the river doesn't overun over the boardwalk?"
Ummm...suuuure...and then we'll get to filling in that annoying gigantic hole out in Arizona so people don't have to take a mule down to the bottom of the canyon.
I just can't stand television media...they love listening to themselves ask the questions more than understanding what they just asked.
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Haha! Thankfully, I just read in the Press today that Andy Winkel and John Green have bought the building and have two potential retail tenants and a potential office user already.
We could really use another bar or club along Ionia Avenue...where does one go for entertainment in Heartside?
(sarcasm free of charge with this post)
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Yeah, like insider trading. Once in a while you lose money.
I'm about to use Martha Stewart and Secchia in the same "sentence"...
...we'll get there...it just might take another decade...many people see no urgency/value to this issue.
(kidding)
) . I'm just saying I can't WAIT for Thursday's announcement. I will be there w/bells on...and let's just say if you love this city you might want to take an hour out of your day and soak it in. 
I think this project is still years away from ground-breaking.
The State of Downtown Grand Rapids Retail
in Grand Rapids
Posted
I'm sure you just green screened all those people shots in a studio to fool us that there are bustling Michigan cities...just like the moon landing fakery...you don't fool me, GRDadof3!!