joeDowntown

Really nice looking projects! And fills a huge need. Joe

Total speculation, but I think it would be 21 stories plus an additional parking ramp. 450 apartments would require a pretty large building. Studio Park will have ~165 apartments on 11 floors so 21 stories seems about right Joe

Well look at you Debbie Downer! . Regardless, it's a huge amount of new housing stock added to the core, which helps with the our housing shortage, AND adds density. I think most of us here would take these developments every day of the week. Joe

Looks like stormy weather ahead for the Sligh redevelopment: https://www.crainsgrandrapids.com/news/real-estate/bank-accuses-sligh-building-developer-of-defaulting-on-4m-loan/ Joe

Looks like the Hotel in downtown Rockford passed the final hurdle: https://www.woodtv.com/news/kent-county/planned-downtown-rockford-hotel-secures-state-funding/ Joe

I love the idea that there could soon be tall buildings on both sides of the expressway (as both most likely will be on the west side of US-131. Joe

Now that you mentioned the northern portion (331 & 325 Winter), I remember at one point when they were working on height restrictions, a mention of a mixed use building (possible medical/pharma company using the office space). Would be a good spot for 325 parking spaces. I had also referenced the amphitheater development image in the Amphitheater thread. Maybe we should keep them in their own buckets so we're not mixing discussions between threads? My only thought about the Fulton/Market lots; it would seem much cheaper to start on the old city property as they own it outright, which may keep the cost more attractive to a potential developer (since the other lots are owned by people with more money than god, I'd think they could build without worrying about the extra cost of land?). haha Joe

Based on one of the development plans recently shown, I wonder if the site will be closest to the Amphitheater (red outline), or a little bit south (blue outline). I would hope they start closest to the Amphitheater, but it looks like the parking would be built over the 116 surface lot. So maybe they are starting south? While it's further from the core, It could be a boon for the Market and and Grandville/Cesar Chavez. It'd be across the street from 234 Market (Apartments/Planet Fitness) and not far from Founders, Tin Can, etc.

As a part of the Stadium tower and Amphitheater apartments proposal (see the Amphitheater and Soccer Stadium threads), they are looking at affordable housing options, either in each development, or some sort of fund to provide affordable housing elsewhere. If they go with the onsite option, 147 units spread across the two developments: Joe

As mentioned in the Amphitheater thread, I was looking at the Brownfield Redevelopment Authority Agenda (for March 25 meeting) and found this: The DDA will lead development of, and may partner with one or more private developers, on development of Stadium District Tower, a proposed 18-story mixed-use building with retail, office and residential uses, along with a 350-space parking structure. An estimated 260 apartment units will be located on the top nine floors, above the office and retail. The estimated cost of the Stadium District Tower is $115 million and is expected to create up to 84 new jobs. Timeline for construction is Spring of 2026 with a completion in Spring of 2028. Anyone want to guess the location (I do not know). Head over to the Amphitheater thread for another project announcement. Bring on the renderings! Joe

I was perusing through the Brownfield Redevelopment Meeting packet and found a few interesting nuggets that should make a lot of people happy (especially people looking for additional height / housing in the city: Grand Action will lead the development of, and may partner with one or more private developers, on an additional development south of the Acrisure Amphitheater, which is expected to include a mixed-use project with up to 475 residential apartments in a 21- story building, a 917 space, six-floor parking ramp to be shared by the amphitheater and apartments, and ground floor retail/commercial space. The estimated investment in this portion of the project is $271 million, and will result in two new jobs associated with the management of the apartments. Parking structure timeline: Starts Summer 2024 with Completion in Spring 2026 (same time as the Amphitheater) "Amphitheater Apartments" timeline: Starts Summer 2025 with Completion in Fall 2027. But wait, there's more. Head over to the Soccer Stadium thread. And bring on the renderings! Joe

I think with Toledo, it’s legacy. I can remember watching MASH on reruns as a kid and one of the characters always talking about the Toledo Mudhens. Don’t know anything about Eerie, but maybe it’s a similar situation.

This will be a great addition. The more I thought about it, the less I liked about the food truck concept proposed for the building. My only issue with the building, and he should take my advice and thank me later (haha), is I would push the rooftop garden to the east side of the building. It would have a great view of the skyline, new soccer stadium, etc. I walked by the Current (Quimby development) the other day and it's looking really good (and going up very quickly). I hope he's able to knock this out of the park. Excited to see it go through! Joe

Whitecaps are looking to do a "once in a generation" renovation / upgrade to the ballpark: https://www.crainsgrandrapids.com/news/sports-recreation/west-michigan-whitecaps-eye-35m-capital-raise-for-once-in-a-generation-refresh/ Joe

I think we will see a few in the next couple of years. Market/Fulton should have 2-3 (it's a big lot), I think the Convention Center hotel will go through, it'll be interesting to see if something gets developed at 820 Monroe (since they asked for the change in zoning height). Calm before the storm? Joe

The little townhouse project on Seward looks to be in the final stages. Also, Lexington school (a block over) seems to be pretty far along in construction. Is this senior living, I can’t remember.

Ah, ok. I was hoping you knew something I didn’t. I do agree it only seems like a matter of time. Joe

Speculation, or are you hearing rumblings of a new building?

New article on Mlive about the rapids restoration project. Sounds like they’ll submit a new application this summer, start moving snuffbox mussel habitat in August, and hope for construction in river in 2025. While there won’t be permanent whitewater features, it still sounds like there will be a lot of rocks, small rapids, etc. : Remove the four low head dams. Place natural rock and boulders to install two expansive riffles with emergent boulders. Riffles are shallow, faster moving sections of rivers and streams. Add four unique boulder drop structures. The boulder drops help create rapids and provide fish passage. Add three boulder vane structures for access along the banks. The vanes help provide slow moving water that’s safe for wading. Install approximately 125 scattered habitat boulders. The boulders help restore the river’s historical flow and river-bottom diversity. Each one creates an area of slower-moving water behind it, which serve as resting areas for fish. Place about 5,000 tons of boulder and 15,000 tons of small, rounded rocks in the river. Joe

I don't know if it's "not right". It may not hit everyone's expectations, but I think comparing it to a nicer high school stadium is somewhat absurd (I haven't been to any high schools with two tier seating, suites, restaurant and clubhouse, etc). Plus, the more I read, they do have room for expansion and I think it's going to make Bridge Street even more lively and I think there will be a lot of ancillary developments because of the stadium. Soccer will do well here. I think GRFC proved that out early on in a less than ideal venue (the track around the field, having to share almost all profits with GRPS, the goalie having to run into the shot put pit to retrieve a ball, LOL). Joe

Couple of things I learned from the Planning Commission packet. 1, There is seating all the way around. Only 4 rows behind the goals but will be interesting to see if they could expand that in the future. 2. The east building has aluminum cladding and some different mixes of materials, so I think it'll look a lot better than what I could see on the renderings 3. The video screen is pretty massive. 110' x 30'! Can't tell if the "club" the the bar/restaurant on site that they had discussed being open on nights the stadium isn't in use? Joe

My initial thoughts (after reading other's comments): 1. The plaza on Pearl/Ionia doesn't bother me as it's a nice little green space (I'd rather have a park than a giant concrete/brick paver plaza that never gets used). I think the earth berm is a little unusual, and hope it'll contain some digital signage that can advertise events, game day information, etc. Personally, I think more people will use the north entrance (even though the south entrance is supposed to be the main). 2. I'm a little concerned about the east building along Mt. Vernon. First, surprised it isn't tucked into the stadium a bit more (probably height of seating and a concourse running between seating and the east building?). Second, the renderings show a lot of mature trees, but it kind of looks like a big white warehouse building. Hope the finish is a bit nicer since we don't have lush tree cover for 7-8 months per year. 3. The bike lane along Mt. Vernon is a nice addition. The exit off Mt. Vernon/Pearl is gnarly and I hope they do additional work to calm the traffic coming off US-131 4. I really like the top of the stadium/roof. Agree that the metal cladding on the building is a little "meh", and some brick and ivy would have looked fantastic, but I can live with it. 5. Concerned about expansion. I think it's a bit of a miss that they didn't put seating behind the goals. Looking at the south side (close to the Y), it looks like there will be NO room for growth. If they were to add on, would they vacate Blumrich and have to push the whole pitch north? It seems a bit land locked for additional growth (similar to how the Whitecaps has continued to grow and add seating throughout the years). I had always envisioned they would have gone all the way to Douglas, so if seems like it's really tight for expansion on the ends? 6. Based on my assumption it would go all the way to douglas, it seems like there will still be a fairly decent sized parking lot directly north of the stadium? As I look at this design (and the fact that they are building on surface lots), I can imagine this being a fairly fast build? Joe

One step closer. I have to imagine we'll see real plans and updated renderings soon: https://www.crainsgrandrapids.com/news/real-estate/developer-files-construction-plans-for-grand-rapids-soccer-stadium/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=linkedin&utm_term=crain's+grand+rapids+business&utm_content=35937865-40f5-4bfd-aca4-8bf2d927f912

They announced the new golf simulator bar that is going in the old Davenport building on Ottawa: https://www.crainsgrandrapids.com/news/real-estate/2-story-restaurant-bar-with-golf-simulators-planned-in-downtown-grand-rapids/ between gold simulators and pickleball pubs, we’re going to have our fill of sports & beer places. They’re popping up everywhere. Is this the new FroYo craze (one on every corner)?

The City Planning commission voted to rezone the whole area and allow buildings 10 stories by right, 20 with bonuses (I don't understand why they don't just make it 20 unless they want to make sure developers add greenspace along the river?). Now it goes to the city commission, but they mention they may also revisit it as part of the master plan. That confuses me a bit, but whatever. Hopefully it unblocks the development at Front and Leonard, and leads to a wave of redevelopment along that corridor: https://www.crainsgrandrapids.com/news/real-estate/grand-rapids-planners-eye-30-acres-of-riverfront-property-for-future-redevelopment/ Joe