GRDadof3

I hit the riverwalk system again this morning. Just so you guys don't think I am sugar-coating anything, I got some shots of the damage and some graffiti: Starting at Fulton Street near Plaza Towers: This is actually a sculpture built into the retaining wall: The path is open to the blue pedestrian bridge: Can't go any further on the East bank at the Riverfront Building (construction fencing is up for their addition<<<): River sculpture from another angle from the pedestrian bridge: Riverfront trail South to Fulton Street in front of Eberhard is open: Riverfront trail looking North, was open and you walk around the carousel building: Carousel building looking South: I then walked across the Pearl Street Bridge, and got these shots of the damaged rail in front of Forslund Condos (you can see the rail missing): You can then take the walk in front of the Amway Grand to the Gillette pedestrian bridge, where I got these shots of the other area damaged: Gillette Bridge The trail from the Gillette Bridge back South to the Pearl Street Bridge, overgrown, but very natural (and bugs) Graffiti under the blue pedestrian bridge: Some trash, but nothing a good boy scout troop couldn't handle. I think I have found my new morning routine. You can put on a couple of miles doing those circuits We need a really great riverfront development at Fulton and Market, another one at the county/city owned site just North of I-196 (which Moch sold them I believe), and the post office site. That would be a great start Edit: BTW, I did not see any erosion damage anywhere along Canal Park or 6th Street Park.

I have heard that the Medical Towers Phase I is a go, because it is not owned by Spectrum. It is actually RDV and Christman, and will not affect any part of the hospital logistics. But, my info could be wrong, if they have changed things in the last week or so. Here is what the GRBJ said Monday: ...Construction should begin this fall on a 700,000-square-foot, five-acre medical complex that stretches from North Division Avenue to Coit Avenue on the north side of Michigan Street Hill. Expected to cost more than $120 million, the Michigan Street Development project will consist of three office towers, a 2,300-square-foot parking ramp and, as part of a separate development, the cancer center. The towers are designed to house medical offices, a food court and minor retail operations. With 100,000 square feet of lab space, it is the region's first private development aimed toward research-based tenants. "Unlike other development projects, we're not just geared toward the physician office practices," said Joe Hooker, development services manager for Christman Co. "We're taking extreme measures in the design process to make sure that we're able to recruit, attract and have facilities for high tech businesses as related to the SmartZone and Life Sciences Corridor." A year ago, Christman entered into an agreement to redevelop the Towers Medical Building at 21 Michigan St. NE for East Lansing insurance company American Physicians Capital Inc. With its premium position on the hill and within Grand Rapids' SmartZone, Hooker felt the seven-story medical office building was being underutilized. Its major tenant is Spectrum Health

I think someone mentioned that there was graffiti (I think it is more likely tagging) at the part that is temporarily closed right now. I notice tagging all over lately, and it just pxxxes me off! Sorry. Suburban punks with nothing better to do. Edit: come to think of it, I did see some graffiti under the 196 bridges (on the concrete supports), but just your usual highway overpass poets.

I don't think so. I think that is where the ice damage happened, and I believe joedowntown mentioned that the wood materials needed to do the boardwalk repairs are on backorder. You can go from the Fulton Street bridge on the West bank North to the pedestrian bridge at the Ford Museum, and then cross the river and continue all the way up to the water facility on Monroe. Not a bad walk.

OK, I took a little tour of the riverfront this morning to see some of the damage mentioned and others impressions. Here are some photos I took, starting from the Brenke Fish Ladder heading South on the West bank: A few blankets from the homeless under the bridge, but pretty clean otherwise. The area near Bridgewater was very clean, with flowers planted and crushed boulders along the bank. Nothing but that dreaded Purple Loose Strife flower and ducks I went up Ah-Nab-A-Whan park and across the pedestrian bridge to the convention center. I have posted pics around the museum under the "GR Photos II" thread if you want to check them out. The area around the Amway Grand up to Plaza Towers is closed due to ice/flood damage. The East bank in front of Devos Place Not bad, except for access right down to the river restricted because of the ice damage Some erosion damage on the West shore at Ah-Nab-A-Whan Looking South on the East Bank One problem, nowhere to cross Michigan except to jay-walk straight across by the post office. But the riverwalk by the post office is all intact and very clean. Canal Street Park near the dam (fishy smell, but the park was very clean, not even a cigarette butt) These are all crushed boulders at the boat launch, which I can't imagine launching anything other than a small fishing boat due to all of the rocks Gazebo at Canal/6th Street Park I do admit the brick sea wall on the West bank is not very attractive, but at least they painted it a few years ago. It used to be all discolored and rusted End of the line at the North Monroe Water Facility Abandoned (I think?) rail line that leads to Bond Street and ends at the GR Press facility Maybe they could do the East bank of the river like they did the Muskegon Channel: Overall, not as bad as I thought from reading some of the posts. I think it needs some work, but with the sanitary/storm sewer issue resolved in the near future, I thought it seemed very walkable and clean. It could use some improvement though.

Some progress has been made along the riverbank in the last 5 - 7 years: The small area next to Kinkos parking lot was made into a little park, Canal Street Park from I-196 all the way up to the water facility on Monroe was developed (used to be weed-choked dirt lots), the riverwalk was extended alongside the Devos Place Convention Center (the old riverwalk stopped short at the Civic, and the park around the Grand Rapids Public Museum was put in when that was built. Still a lot of work to be done, but it is getting better, IMO.

I like this shot Wolverine. Do you know if you made the evening news (look to the right>>>)

I think part of the issue is that the Grand River rises and falls so dramatically in the Spring and Fall. I'm sure that is the reason for the floodwalls. Wherever the banks are left natural, such as around I-196 in Grandville, it overflows the banks every Spring. I do believe that if the river were narrowed, it would run deeper and faster and could make for some interesting rapids for recreation. And the city is slowly working to separate the sanitary and storm sewers, with projected completion within 10 years. Hopefully that will help with the overflows. Every major city of note has some kind of body of water, probably because of the river infrastructure back in the 1800's and for commerce at the time, which is when many U.S. cities gained their prominence. I am definitely for making the river better though. BTW: I can't believe you have never been to Grand Haven before, Urbanist. The old Piano Factory/Loft Condo project was probably the first of its kind in West Michigan. And The Gilmore Group renovated "The Kirby" a couple of years ago to its old glory days. Very nice!

Oh, come on. In the future, A biotech convention in town would have people landing at the wave airport, ride rapid transit down to the wave ITP Station, ride over to the wave convention center, tour the wave Van Andel Institute, and have a reception at the Wave Room at Celebration Village

I almost fell off my chair too Wasn't the Van Andel Arena built for about $75 Mil? Maybe my perception of inflation is way off. The new ramp at Detroit Metro was $123 Million, and is 89 acres and holds 11,000 cars. http://www.pci.org/prof_newsletter/issue_01/detroit.cfm

Another Phase II Rendering from GRBJ: It almost appears to be two separate buildings joined by skywalks??? As someone else mentioned, it is not going to be much to look at from Division, just a wall with a service garage door.