discgrab21

I saw a third tower crane being erected this morning at the new interprofessional health building on medical. Surprised that building needs two on its own

edit: nm

I didn't know about Arvon. Exciting move into a good looking building. Is there anywhere else in town that focuses primarily on hazy IPAs? That has been the big move out west (at least in SF). Moving away from the overly hopped west-coast style IPAs into the more juicy and balanced NE-style IPAs (they just call them Hazy instead of New England-style). If their beer is as in demand as the mlive article makes it sound, they should be able to succeed anywhere that can accommodate their capacity needs. Most of the sales will be for local taps and if they can get shelf space for retail. If they can successfully bring people and food trucks in on the weekend (in the face of the challenges of S Division), could it be a catalyst for that block? Does anybody know who occupied that building before?

I think there is more to gain for Mahou keeping Founders healthy in GR than shifting production. First, there is already the infrastructure in place to produce about 40% more beer right here in grand rapids, and I think that is without accounting for the purchase of Avery for west coast production and distribution. Sure, some of the grown might come from acquisitions like Avery, but I would not expect a build out of a new production brewery in random city. Michigan has embraced the craft beer industry, in large part because of Bells' and Founders' successes. I also think it helps with branding. Grand Rapids as Beer City USA is pretty well accepted by now. Anybody who drinks craft beer knows that GR has a great beer scene, and they know that it is led by founders. If Mahou (and Mike and Dave) are earnest about strengthening Founders' brand, it would be foolish to relinquish their throne as the flagship beer/brewer in Beer City USA. When I meet out of towners for a beer, I kind of always say, "There are a ton of great places we can go, but Founders is the mecca" and there are so many great taproom exclusives and events (cellar raid anybody?), not to mention rotations of highly sought after beers like C/KBS that are available in "off season" times. The other thing that GR has going for Founders is the fresh water supply. In reading about other brewery expansions, particularly west, the most important ingredient in Beer is consistent and quality water supply. Nothing better, more consistent, nor a more durable supply than water piped directly from Lake Michigan. I would also add, that I am somewhat saddened that the ownership is no longer local. I am glad that it isn't InBev or Miller-Coors. But I do not really think this will have an adverse impact on the company.

https://mibiz.com/sections/food-agribusiness/spanish-brewer-mahou-to-acquire-founders-brewing Mahou-San Miguel Group increasing its ownership stake in Founders from 30% to 90%

My first thought driving by today is that it looked like rebar, which doesn't make any sense for a sidewalk. I think you are right that they will be heated.

https://t.co/QThmcsqNUU a current tenant posted pics of his studio and some of the common areas. He (I think it’s a he) says all of the studios are on the 8th floor and are all rented (more than 100 units), and that all of the 1-bedrooms are rented too. They are still finishing the upper floors. Looks like a really cheap apartment, but the amenities sure seem nice. I can see why folks are renting there in spite of the novelty. What will be telling is how well they keep up these amenities. Do they let the common room couches wear down/out? Do they repair their arcade games? Do they replace the giant jenga when pieces get thrown off the roof?

It makes sense to me. First of all, as a standalone, I love the design. Not that I know much about architecture, but its big, bold, and I like it. But as it relates to the location, having the main entrance being primarily accessible from the parking ramp makes perfect sense. Almost all of the users and visitors of that building will be driving and parking in that ramp (correct me if i'm wrong). Why make them trek all the way around a huge building to get inside? Or, if using a back entrance or skywalk, why have a huge bold statement entrance that nobody is going to use? I highly doubt there will be convention goers /postal workers/Rowe residents who will just happen to decide to wander into the Innovation Hub. Now I can understand the argument about folks there leaving on foot for lunch, but that is just not a pedestrian driven or entertainment/leisure destination. As has been discussed for a while, this part of Michigan is meant to move cars more than anything, and that won't change with the 196 on/off ramps right at the corner. Unless/until Monroe/Calder Plaza turn into such a spot, I don't see any reason not to cater to your "audience" or "customers" with the design here, which of course will be folks parking in the garage and walking in across the "plaza" to enter this building. And its not like the Michigan side will be a bunker-wall like the Press building was.

I thought I saw a new sign up at this space today. Anybody know what (if anything) is happening there?

Its also been found to hinder, rather than enhance both efficiency and interpersonal communication throughout the work day. People in "open concept" work spaces are more likely to use email than seek somebody out for face-to-face or telephone communication. "Overall, face-to-face time decreased by around 70 percent across the participating employees, on average, with email use increasing by between 22 percent and 50 percent (depending on the estimation method used)," says the British Psychological Society Research Digest blog, summing up the results." https://www.inc.com/jessica-stillman/new-harvard-study-you-open-plan-office-is-making-your-team-less-collaborative.html Google "open office workspace" The entire first page is articles commenting on their failure. (I occurs to me that google algorithms manipulate the results, but I think the jury has come in on the issue).

Did not know this would involve a “tower” crane. (Unless I’m completely missing something here)

A question I had when reading the mlive piece, was the study about the impact of publicly funded hotels, they mentioned the "off season." Is there really an off season for convention traffic? Sure seems like we have events all year (and looking at the De Vos Place calendar, that appears to be the case)

That was a well-written piece. It sounds like the people involved are taking great care to project how conservative and analytical their approach and analysis is. So many people, especially in a conservative region like ours have a knee-jerk reaction to public enterprise = bad/boondoggle/destined to fail. Personally, I think the track record of the CAA has earned it the benefit of the doubt.

Is there anything to that area in the bottom left of the 131 under construction photo? It looks like a horseshoe bowl of a football stadium, but the "field" area is a parking lot. Can't get enough of these "then and now" comparisons

My first reaction to reading the proposal was "woof, that is going to make gas really expensive." But then I swallowed hard and admitted that, yeah, if we want to have nice things, we'll have to pay for them somehow, and its going to cost a lot no matter where the revenue comes from. Then I also realized, that virtually nothing in Whitmer's proposed budget will be adopted by the legislature. She is putting pressure on them to set for their own alternative ideas for funding our roads. Will be interesting to see what (if anything) they come up with.

It does have the impact of increasing the MSA by about 5K though, right? What is more important for the City's purposes, the MSA or CSA?

Zellar's would be the next-closest I think

Gotcha, thanks for clarifying

So there is actually incentive to leave empty and blank store-fronts on new developments? Seems like a policy that should be re-examined, like maybe a sunset on the tax benefits as applied to the retail space after so many months or years.

Crinzema, did that study account for existing occupancy rates in those markets? I am not being snarky, I just don't have the time or interest to read that study in detail, but I think that is an important question and might distinguish GR from the other markets that were scrutinized. I would also be interested in seeing whether the convention situations were similar in that an additional hotel was needed to secure more and larger conventions. Again, having not read that study, it just feels like it is not apples to apples. On the other hand, if there are not factors that make Grand Rapids unique and more likely to succeed in "raising all boats", then those findings should give everybody pause.

This article gives a good rundown of the options under consideration. There is an online survey through December 21, and a public hearing on Thursday at 8am, for those who wish to share their opinions. https://www.grbj.com/articles/92176-city-parking-survey-raises-some-questions

The city could also ban overnight parking in those locations

Those actually are granite counters, and they also have in-unit W/D which is a pretty big amenity. And onsite parking. The plumbing finishes and door hardware are contemporary. Really, if the only change they made was white MDF trim (a cheap building material), I am guessing most would be singing a different tune about the aesthetic (the drawer handles on the upper cabinets is a curious choice though). The views from the upper floors are going to be incredible judging by how visible it is from any SW facing window in a downtown mid-rise. The amenities seem attractive (though the "lake access" is a bit of a stretch). We will see how these rent, but I think so much of the hate is from bias against the overall concept.

I know the GRSSC does broomball at RPC. Maybe they will move over to the Monroe North lot?

And I would think it would be a small fraction to implement on 196. Such a short stretch, and would not need to employ the flex speed limits either.