GRCentro

Good gravy! Can we lay down the pitchforks and torches? Full disclosure: I am an HPC Commissioner (even we enjoy online forums from time to time). I'm not going to comment on pending applications, of course, though I will remind everyone that the last meeting was an Advisory Discussion, at the request of the applicant. Meaning, they were requesting feedback. There was no vote, no binding decision, nothing was approved or denied. Also consider that a 45 minute conversation is probably far more complex and interesting than a couple 10-second news clips. A large project takes a lot of time to fully develop. A well-financed, well-thought out project with an earnest desire to succeed usually does. Have some patience and a little grace. On that note, why would any conversation here benefit from clenched fists and spitting words? By all means debate projects, Commission decisions and preservation theory, but leave the character assassinations and assumptions of Commissioner motivations out of it. MJLO, you really topped it off with a sprinkle of misogyny. That is shameful. This forum can do better.

From what I have heard, an unnamed local nonprofit has a multi-year option on Degage's building. They can't afford some major building maintenance items (like the crumbling terra cotta cornice) and are looking to relocate within the next couple years. Rockford is representing both parties.

Looks like they've installed ground anchors beneath the Rockwell/Republic building foundation - to prevent settling or collapse during excavation. I bet they'll start soon.

Tower cranes are typically rented statewide, or even regionally. As one might guess, they are enormously expensive to rent and operate. Once the heavy lifting is done, the contractor will be pleased to get it out of there as soon as possible. From now on, I'd expect all the lifting to be done with man lifts and an occasional truck crane or crawler.

Apparently all the recessed windows from 70s mansard roof leak - no surprise. The owner is taking this opportunity to not just replace the windows, but to rebuild more character appropriate dormers inspired by the original roof design. A cafe sounds great, but not like this! A very under-baked design - I'm surprised this image was even released.

Street activity? It ain't exactly chic, but the non-profits' storefronts are about as active as it gets! More folks milling about there than quilt-seekers during ArtPrize. Rumors are that Dégagé's building might have a buyer on the way, too...

I heard they're expanding. Lots of online business and the current shop doesn't have adequate space for shipping and processing.

Yes, approved.

May 1st.

Yes. All three projects approved, with minor adjustments to the Victorian house rehabilitation plan and "no" to balconies on the proposed Cherry St buildings.

HPC doesn't have an obsession with "everything looking old", as far as I can tell. Their mandate is to interpret and enforce federally dictated standards for the treatment of designated historic structures and districts. In a nutshell: preserve what already exists, replace like with like, and permit only those alterations which are truly unavoidable and do not detract from the existing character. This project is a bit more complex, perhaps, because it is new construction in a historic district. In this case the standards describe that such a building both 1) be compatible with the existing character of place and 2) be clearly differentiated from other older structures in order to avoid confusion about its time of origin. A difficult order, really. Something that neither a pure classicist design nor some cutting edge magazine starchitecture can successfully accomplish. You can tell the architect is really trying to straddle over both conditions. And good for them for requesting an advisory discussion with HPC well in advance of a formal hearing. As with most things, the devil is in the details. The early renderings don't tell us much other than general scale, massing and some implied materials. Real brick? Or prefab panels? How will the mortar joints be treated? Limestone sills, like the previous buildings? The fenestration on the parking ramp makes sense, but how will the windows be screened? What will be the glass color and reflectivity of the tower? Mullion detailing? Shadow lines? What will be the pedestrian experience, both near and far? These are the questions HPC must consider. And, of course, compliance with the federal standards doesn't guarantee good design, be it traditional or contemporary or a watered-down version of both. An evaluation of "good" isn't what the Commission exists to accomplish.

It has housed all those businesses. I'll see if I can find a photo of the grocery store. From one local business to another.

Yep. Retail, parking, office tower. Looks good. Like a less dystopian Gallery on Fulton.

Exciting things from Calvin College. A Field Guide to Sprawl aerial photography show at Calvin's Center Art Gallery. Runs through Dec 20. And, [url=http://www.calvin.edu/centerartgallery/106southdivision/exhibitions/2008_2009/beyondsprawl08.htm]Beyond Sprawl

Nice. Remember when everyone on here used to add the JW and Riverhouse to skyline shots with MS Paint?

Nice shot! Kinda sums up Heartside's socio-economic diversity.

I'm told there's an urban forest wonderland of wooden bridges, tree houses, and even a sailboat-turned-guest house back there. True?

1. Construction. http://www.gvmc.org/transportation/construction.shtml. Though, there were probably also more people trying to go North than usual because of Muskegon Summer Celebration, etc. 2. Yes they are. There is a permanent display in the lobby that discusses the use of solar energy and also shows the real time energy input from the solar panels. 3. Yes she is!

You have a good memory, Jeff!

Thanks GRguy! I knew a designer such as yourself would be able figure out the meaning behind it all. Too bad I didn't have my camera early this morning. There were some great cloud formations over the city. And who knows when I'll ever get the chance to get on the roof of Park Church again...

Rapid Central Station, of course. Too easy, GRDad.

Urban Lights Event at Avenue of the Arts, 100 block S. Division. Tonight, 6 - 11 pm. Visit Studio 71 South, Capsule Living Studio, Sanctuary Folk Art, Heartside Gallery, Gallery Ogi, Kelly Sweet Photography, and others. Avenue for the Arts live/work apartments will also be open, including the recently finished Kelsey Building. Art, jewerly, and other handmade gifts will be on sale. There will be live entertainment throughout the night.