Gorath

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20120829/FREE/120829920 Someone should talk to LT Mason about a mural for next years Artprize.

I think that the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 probably put a halt to basements in new single story commercial buildings.

It is an old McDonalds. Several years ago, before the strip mall was added to it, I was sent out to measure the building. To my surprise I discovered that this McDonalds had a basement. Do all the old McDonalds have basements?

Yes, this space was supposed to be a retail incubator similar to MoDiv. I don't recall if it was approved, but it may still be the plan. However the building now has new owners. Maybe plans have changed.

Is this the project? (Project cost and size is quite different.) http://www.mlive.com...t_river_default Photo courtesy Mlive Edit: Never mind this seems to be in Muskegon. The Dateline said Allendale.

I'm guessing it's going to be a green space with a pedestrian pathway connecting the Pew campus area to the Seidman campus area.

Torn down for a parking lot. We also now know where the dentists are supposed to have their offices downtown

Yep, the current Mortan House is a different building then the building in the postcard posted by Drew Day. That building was built in 1872 by Israel Smith and George Morton after a fire destroyed the previous building at the site. The current building was built in 1922 and was home to the Morton Hotel and Kent State Bank which became Old Kent Bank, and now 5/3 Bank. In the above photo you can better make out the building joeDowntown is referring to in the back ground on the far right. It looks a bit like the Trust Building. This page http://www.historygr...mId=1545&full=1 refers to it as the Ashton Building, formerly known as the Pythian Temple. Edit: The 7th floor of the Pythian Temple was used for G.R. chapters of the Knights of Pythias. The first 5 floors was a furniture store with the 6th floor being offices. You can read more about the Knights of Pythias here: http://en.wikipedia....ghts_of_Pythias http://kent.migenweb...ns/pythias.html

25 Kitchen & Bar has closed. A sign on the door says a new concept is coming soon. http://www.woodtv.com/dpp/news/local/grand_rapids/25-kitchen-bar-closes

While I generally prefer the historic look over modern. I just don't see it working here. Historic 50 Monroe has one good side. That would be the Ottawa facing facade (which is about 15-20% of the exterior surface area). The remaining part of the building (about 80-85%) is just plain ugly. And since this building(s) sits in the middle of a whole bunch of surface parking lots, all sides of 50 Monroe is highly visible from everywhere around it. Maybe that will change some with Bobville. But I don't think Bobville will hide enough of the ugly parts of this building. Now if 50 Monroe were to have a whole bunch of infill built around it then let the Historic street facades shine.

You know what they say about the internet. If you post a picture, it's on the internet forever. Found pitsch_oops.jpg http://picasaweb.goo...CNqX2BXQ-P-PR4g The others are here (scroll down about halfway) https://plus.google.com/photos/114446920220581595576/albums/5127679966571047393

opps wrong thread

Someone, who I shall not name , posted a photo of 50 Monroe prior to it's new clothes. http://www.urbanplanet.org/forums/index.php/topic/20338-changes-at-50-monroe/#entry302079

A. I was hoping that Tapestry Square would help to encourage redevelopment of the properties on the other side of Division in this area. B. This area lacks a street wall. What you get is a block and a half deep of parking. It doesn't offer a pleasant view from the properties across the street. And it doesn't help connect the proposed retail at the NE corner of Division and Logan to the rest of Division. C. I'm not sure what this portion of Sheldon serves? If parking is really needed then vacate Sheldon here. D. Where is the south-bound BRT station supposed to be? I'm guessing it's here. Maybe that will be enough to spur development of A. I do like what they have done along Logan street. I can see Logan as being the southern corridor of the downtown area. Add to that the Urban Market and Baker Furniture apartments on the west side of Division. Hopefully something happens with the big dirt lot at the NE corner of Ionia and Logan.

Yuk. Talk about turning your back on Division.

The downtown Pita House is closing as well. In this case, it sounds like they couldn't agree to a new lease, and will be looking for a new location in the downtown area. http://www.mlive.com/business/west-michigan/index.ssf/2012/05/pita_house_downtown_closing_th.html#incart_river_default

I may be wrong, but I believe it is being built on the Southeast corner of Division and Logan.

http://www.uprepgr.org/assets/500052/c_building_tab_3_-_u-prep_elevations_10-28-111.pdf

Now we know what Pacel C is. http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2012/04/business_leaders_make_investin.html

It will just be temporary.* * I made this image up. Not an actual plan.

You mean some sort of soil contamination that required clean up.

Such an odd lot the billboard sits on.

GVSU buys gas station. Will demo it for .... ? http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2012/04/gvsu_to_purchase_admiral_gas_s.html

Here's a shot of the South Pavilion and all it's parking. And here is the site plan for comparison.

It's hard to make out, but I think the building at the intersection says "Pharmacy". It looks like it has a drive thru as well. I'm guessing Wallgreens or CVS. Remember that Wallgreens couldn't get their "driveways" at Knapp & Beltline. This site plans shows driveways for the "Pharmacy". There is a Wallgreens 3 miles north at E. Beltline & Plainfeild. About 5 minutes travel by car.