droonus2000

Likely unfeasible idea, but what about a satellite parking lot on Butterworth or O'Brian with a tram to the zoo? It seems if it were that simple it'd be done already. I don't want the Mines Golf Club to close but maybe there needs to be a second entrance and parking up there with a bridge or tunnel across the highway. I feel like we are stuck with non workable options for zoo parking because the neighborhood wants both, but they don't want either to ever evolve. I have not visited JBZ in probably 20 years because it felt so inadequate for patrons and animal welfare. I know they have changed a lot over the years, but those childhood experiences have stuck with me and I'd rather only visit zoos on vacation.

Its a fine name. I would have rather seem like a Fox Park, or Spartan Stadium(no wait that ones already taken), or GFS Field. Just to kind of spread the naming love around and show off some other local companies. But I'll never stick my nose up at a $33M gift. For that much, you can call it Suck it, I'm Rich Field. I think World of Winter and the ChristKindal market are fantastic ideas. Depending on how it does this year the idea may simply be too popular for the DT Market. It seemed so last year.

They really did spring that on us all didn't they? No word on arena updates, and then Thursday(I think) bam! Graphic on Griffins socials announcing it. Can't wait to check it out in person.

Looking at these plans, one things confuses me. there is a building called " fitness" with a conjoined pool and courts. Is this a clubhouse for the townhouses? Which is odd placement with the hotels. Or an MVP location? Or just a possible idea?

Crazy idea, but I'd love to see the Griffins play at the Amphitheater whole a new arena is built. It would be wwwaaaayyy too expensive to operate. But it would be unique.

I was getting worried when the old mast came down, and I couldn't quite tell if this frame was new or old driving by. I do enjoy being right though.

Wasn't that still a rotating billboard, with all the bars? I wondered if it was going digital?

This was defiantly not the discussion I expected when I opened this thread. I expected talk of the alleyway renovation. But this is sooo much better. It does make me feel even more so that we need a nice secondary arena. The Rise and Gold probably woukd be better in a venue half the size. 4 teams, plus concerts creates a busy schedule. Maybe that's the goal, keep the venue as busy as possible.

My biggest concern is for the location of the open water painting form Artprize. I just love that painting. Only been inside to eat once, it was good, but not enough to add it to our goto places.

1. Acrisure will be the core tenet for a 40+ story building at Fulton and Market, they will utilize part of the building for now, and as leases run out and they need space, they will take over more space. This concept is beyond mind blowing for locals. 2. Sligh is Dead. 3. More regional and national chain restaurants open in the area. My picks: Dave’s Hot Chicken, Portillos, Shake Shack, and Raising Canes 4. Someone will partner with Corewell to build residential for them. Nothing will come to fruition, even with multiple plans and approvals. More of a prediction for a few years. 5. Creston will land a major project. Tallest in the neighborhood. 6. Soccer Stadium and USLC team are announced. 7. Smaller arena of 5k seats is announced. More a wish than an actual prediction. 8. Hotel near Amphitheater is announced. 9. First act is announced for the amphitheater. It will be a country star that normally would play stadiums. 10. The new zoo plan next to Meijer Gardens is revived. JBZ will remain as a petting zoo for historical value. The county will simply give up on parking concerns there, and dealing with zoo vs park issues.

Does the league not own the rights to the Barnstormers name? That was one of the bigger brands in the old days, mostly due to Kurt Warner playing for them. Feels like a missed opportunity, but maybe I'm just salty the Rampage name isn't going to be in GR moving forward. Does this mean the arena has to take the banners down now? Not that they make any sense 15 years after the league folded, but still a fun nod to the history of the building and local sports.

@walker 4gr8food did a summer promotion a few years ago where you git a stamp for each one of their restaurants you visited. Rewards were gift cards amd coupons, and if I recall a TV for a grand prize. That's how I learned about all the different brands they own between GR and Traverse City. It's a lot.

I saw this same design on I-196 heading West today. I immediately knew the reference and was excited to see them tie in that aviation history, and the history of Yesterdog.

At the end of the day there are always going to be people who perceive DT to be where the bad people are. Years ago I was doing valentines floral deliveries and the dispatcher asked me if I was comfortable going downtown, if I felt safe. It was the Widdicomb building on Seward. They then sent me to the HHS building on MLK because I wasn’t scared of (in hushed tones) urban areas. People are scared of interacting with people different from them. As if ‘insert demographic’ is just out for evil. Im just as scared of getting mugged at any Meijer store as I am on Monroe Center.

I wonder how much the parking area is necessitated by the trucks and busses that go along with this type of entity. Most large venues have banks of trucks adjacent to the venue during events, very seldom have I seen those areas fit well into an urban fabric. Trucks are large, maybe it just makes more sense to put parking around it than a plaza? I would prefer it underground. With just the entrance ramp showing, but maybe engineering wise, it’s just not feasible? This is adjacent to a river. As much as I would love to see a Barclays Center style truck elevator, it would be massively costly. And quite frankly, I’m not sure it works out that well for Barclays time and cost wise.