grbrit

Coffee shops inside existing businesses don't seem to add much to the neighborhood's vibrancy (see Creston Brewery). Any movement on the old RBJ location? I know the property is listed for a prohibitive amount, but it seems crazy to let it just sit empty all this time.

"Developer of Grand Rapids shopping center files bankruptcy" GRBJ article on Village at Knapp's Corner

Confirmed!

Love 'em or hate 'em, they were the main reason Art Prize received so much publicity last year, and therefore why it drew so many people.

.... in West Michigan. Don't want to get off-topic, but this is precisely the opinion I've formed of most Grand Rapidians in the four years I've lived here. Obviously there are pockets of exception, such as Eastown. What I found irritating about Art Prize last year was the Art Snobs who assumed the event was for them. Their constant wittering and complaining about what is/isn't art is no doubt the reason there's a special prize chosen by "artists" this year, negating the need for a last-miinute pity prize for the likes of Young Kim. IMO, the event is for the populace and the winner is (or at least should be) decided by the populace. Artists may produce art, but are only a small fraction of those people who buy it. It's hard to argue what the consumer considers art is wrong, when the consumer is defying that by the exhibits they visit and the pieces they buy. Despite the protestations regarding the Table & Chairs on the blue bridge, and Nessie in the Grand, etc., just count how many times their image is used to promote and attract visitors to this year's event compared to a 2d copy of a wave photo.

That's as ridiculous as saying nobody is entitled to drive on public streets. I see I'm not going to get any sense out of you, but you're entitled to your opinion.

Even someone who rides their bike to work every day is entitled to own a car for those necessary out-of-town trips, and they have to park it somewhere.

It's agreed in principle. Just awaiting state approval. Article at MLive.

While waiting at the stop light yesterday, I snapped a couple of shots of the new pedestrian bridge over the Medical Mile: http://yfrog.com/1udscn1921xj http://yfrog.com/a9dscn1923j

Sure is...

The new Eastown "Pizza" Hut (that sells wings): Hoop! Don't walk!

I love that photo, Jon. It made me go check out your other work at Picture Michigan. If you're ever in the market for a new site, let me know Andy

It wouldn't be the first time. Remember how Fifth-Third plaza used to look?

Funny, I have a very similar shot from the other day!

The voting on the final 10 will be a closed vote, so - unless there are 10 finalists that fit that category - I'm sure something along those lines would magically "not win"

I agree if this is about an art competition it'll be great news for some, but a big yawn for me. Given the apparent association this announcement has with Spout, I suspect any competition is more likely to be movie-related. Either way, it's not something of interest to me, and - as others have already pointed out - there are already several, well-established movie festivals in West Michigan. It'll undoubtedly sell a lot of hotel rooms and the subsequent boost to the GR economy can't be bad. At this point I'm pretty convinced it's just a publicity stunt for something which will benefit relatively few people, but good luck to them. I hope it boosts GR's visibility on a national (or even international) level because of the other benefits that brings with it.

No, I'm as much in the dark as everyone else. I suspect it'll be big news for the company/companies involved, but for the city as a whole? Seems like a lot of hype right now, but we'll see. I'll likely be there as I walk right through there each morning to work about 8:55.

I love source code containing hidden messages

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

I've been advocating this kind of service since I came to Grand Rapids. The reason I'm pessimistic about any "tourist-driven" novelty tram route is that all discussions I've heard suggest it only runs 9:00 - 5:00 (or thereabouts). To gain popularity, public transport needs to serve all potential clients, not just those wearing a business suit or khaki shorts and cameras. When I go to a gig at the Intersection, I'd like to be able to have a few beers then catch a bus back to Eastown when it's over. I'm sure I'm not alone.

I didn't, my friend did. She works in the publicity dept. for Michigan Community Blood Centers and was getting some photos for their "Over The Edge" fundraiser which takes place this Saturday (6th September). I believe she said she was going to be back up there either Thursday or Friday this week taking photos of someone dangling over the edge on a rope while dressed as a drop of blood

Here are some recent photos taken from near the top of River House by my friend Megan, who I'm trying to talk into jumping off the building in September!

Wow. Judging by your shadow you have a penny-farthing! Awesome!

Not if you have browser cacheing turned off, but I accept I'm in the minority there.

I'm guessing that's because your settings are to only show 10 posts per page, but it's probably for the best. I had to revert to this setting because when people reply to posts containing images, they include the images. This means the same images appear many times on one page resulting in extremely long load times.