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RevPAR = Revenue per Available Room. How does this correlate with "statistically significant negative impact on the local economy" More hotels (regardless if public or private owned) would increase supply and competition which would expect to add downward pressure on prices. When did these mundane MLive style arguments make their way onto UP?

Anyone have any info on how retail spaces in 20 Fulton, Morton, and 38 Commerce can lay dormant for years without anyone biting the bullet?

RDV Corp is the DeVos family office. So they employ everyone from managing the family's investments, household staff, boat captains, etc.

Perhaps I was being a bit dramatic. I believe there was an off the cuff quote about the "ROI not being right" a few months ago and that probably had something to do with it. I think what I was eluding to is that Hinman wouldn't of put $10s/$100s of thousands of dollars into development work, due diligence, design, etc. if they weren't confident they could raise the money to build it.

Don't think you quite understand how anything works. By putting this building in, the city is hoping that it will increase surrounding property value and continued development. Therefore, the city is able to capture more tax revenue. This isn't so much a handout as it is an investment. As for Hinman not having the resources to take on a development like this, you're obviously misinformed. I'm sure that they/he could've raised the money to build a tower within the original scope if they so chose. After all, Trump was able to continue to attract investment after nearly bankrupting every single project he developed. People will always throw money at real estate.

I'm a bit skeptical that this will lead to a crane installment. They won't be lifting very heaving things and from the article and renderings, it looks like a straight retrofit job. If I were to wager, I bet we see a regular crane from the bottom and the some coming from the window replacement unit from the top down. More information here: https://facadexs.com/blog-replacing-windows-of-high-rise-buildings/

Maybe they had to do water/sewage work? I agree...seems pretty dumb. Also, the bricks could be old and they just replaced them.

Could just be interpretation. Pearl seems to job left which isn't accurate. Also, seems to be outdated rendering of 250 Monroe. If it's actually an unintended leak, it could point towards a tower at the Ellis lot behind McKay tower. The tower behind the Calder Plaza is tough to judge. Or perhaps something replacing 320 Ottawa.

It would be surprising. Walked past last week and it looks like they were doing some irrigation work below. Maybe just installing new landscaping.

Was sold for $875,000 in 03/2017. And now they're asking $1.5M...crazy!

Looks good, although IMO they're reconfiguring the wrong side. Biggest problem with the interchanges are people from Beltline onto WB 196 which creates congestion from traffic continuing onto WB 96. This usually backs up the 96 from Beltline to 28th street daily.

Just read up on the Mud Hens. They're actually a community owned, not-for-profit. Aka they'll never move. Major league teams cover player salaries, coaches, and expenses as part of their affiliate deal. The ownership group is responsible for facilities, overhead, etc. If I were to guess, I would wager that the Whitecaps are breakeven or net-loss. I bet that the ownership group makes most their money off the events that 5/3rd hosts. http://businessjournalism.org/2015/08/sports-and-money-the-economics-of-minor-league-baseball/

So did a little digging. The Tigers and Whitecaps last extended their development contract in 2015. This was a two-year extension through the 2020 season. Prior to that, they extended the contract in 2011 to go through the 2018 season. With only 2 seasons left on the contract, one has to assume there is at least dialogue about moving up. https://www.milb.com/milb/news/whitecaps-tigers-extend-affiliation-deal/c-106302748 The following AAA teams have deals that are expiring in the 2020 season: Buffalo Bisons (Blue Jays), Charlotte Knights (White Sox), Columbus Clippers (Indians), Durham Bulls (Rays), Gwinnett Braves (Pirates), Indianapolis Indians (Pirates), Lehigh Valley IronPigs (Phillies), Louisville Bats (Reds), Norfolk Tides (Orioles), Pawtucket Red Sox (Red Sox), Rochester Red Wings (Twins), Scranton/W-B RailRiders (Yankees), Syracuse Chiefs (Nationals), and Toledo Mud Hens (Tigers). I only see a few of these a viable for switching. Regardless of cult following, I think Toledo would be in play. Maybe Charlotte Knights. Other state associated affiliates have no chance of flipping. Also interesting, the midwest doesn't have a ton of exposure to the Pacific Coast League or the Eastern League. Given the limited travel resources for minor league teams, this may make it difficult for us to get an AA ball club. Furthest West team in the EL is the Akron Rubber Ducks (Indians). Furthest East Pacific Coast League team (AAA) is the Nashville Sounds (Athletics) or the Iowa Cubs (Cubs). https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/2018-minor-league-affiliation-chart/

I don't think population has as much to do with it as as media market size. Sure, Green Bay is an extreme outlier. But those programs (Buffalo included) have deep rooted history. To make the argument that pro teams should move their teams to a mid-sized, midwestern city is pretty hard when leagues are actively trying to increase their international exposure. Sure, that might come from expansion, but there are more viable cities in the US with larger media markets than Grand Rapids. That being said, we did make the list of top cities without a pro-sports team (last place): https://moving.selfstorage.com/largest-metro-areas-without-major-league-sports-teams/ I feel like Austin would be a much more viable choice when it came from the acquisition of any sports team. Seattle is a natural choice for basketball, St. Louis is a natural choice for football, etc.

It would be hard to view us getting a major sports team. Salt Lake City has a basketball team and they're about 20% larger than we are (1MM metro area vs. 1.2MM metro area). Their urban area is about 80-90% of their metro area while we are only about 60% urban. Buffalo has a football team and is very similar to SLC vs. GR. Similar populations, but significantly more urban. Additionally, I don't see us getting a pro sports team as the media market isn't big enough to compete with Detroit teams. That being said, we have the wealth here (obviously) to support one.

If it's Delta it's the MD-88 or MD-90. They're being phased out over the next couple years. United and Delta also fly CRJ 700/900s out of GR which look similar, but are even smaller. Lastly, we get some 717s which also have an awkward shape. It's a National Disaster Medical System emergency exercise and the plane is a KC-135 refueling tanker. It does some touch and gos from time to time as well.

Looks like site work began today

Any chance Lansing becomes obsolete in the next decade? Only 375k pax in 2017, down from 650k in 2000. I've flown Delta Connection between DTW and LAN before. Biggest waste of time as the flight is about 7 minutes long, but pack in all the airport nonsense and it could be driven in about half the time.

Terminal C! Definitely looks like it could support a lounge.

That rule was introduced in 2016, so after almost all of the ArtPrizes. I think what you may be referring to is the rule which states that the piece has to of been completed in the prior three years. That is what found "The Dragon" to be disqualified in 2012. Also, I don't think the rule for repeat winners would discourage any logical artist as there is really only a pool of 8 people who cannot participate (one artist has won twice).

The way that Rick or Kevin were talking about it made it seem like it was temporary over a 6 week period.

Definitely agree with what you're saying. I think what you said about business travelers and loyalty program members reinforces the need (from a developer perspective) for a chain outside what we see downtown. I'd love a Raddison Blu, but as @Prankster said it may be too small a property to offer the amenities of a upper scale chain. Regardless, I think we can eliminate a few just based on design aesthetic not matching a Aloft, W, moxy, etc.

I have a hard time seeing Marriott putting another hotel in the market, given that they'll have a JW, Courtyard, AC, and a few ancillary brands peppered throughout the suburbs/metro (Springhill/Delta/etc.). It provides a nice spectrum across amenity levels. Starwood could be an option, but I feel like all the brands are matched by an existing hotels here. If I had a guess, I think we'll be seeing a mid-level Wyndham, IHG, or Raddison. The first two needing an upper scale presence downtown and the latter losing the Grand River Hotel a few years ago. Honestly, I wouldn't mind if this is even a budget property (as boring as it would be) like a Hampton Inn. I feel like downtown is prohibitively expensive for overnight lodging. Having less expensive options will allow more visitors to enjoy downtown instead of supporting all the cookie cutter restaurants on 28th.

Honestly, it looks like the original render with the top 35 stories lopped off. Also, reminds me of my college dorm in Chicago.

Is it for sure architects from Studio C? Or another firm?