[Transit Updates for Greater Grand Rapids]

This seems like a pretty great idea to me.  

I'm not sure if it would be viable, but it would be neat to see it happen.  

Would they terminate at the Holland & Grand Rapids Amtrak stations?  

Additionally, are there preserved stations/shelters from when this line was previously used for passenger rail (I'm assuming all of these villages/towns previously had a rail stop)?  

[Highway and Road Construction Updates]

This may not be possible, but it would be great to see the I-196 bridge over the Grand River turned into a "signature" bridge.  I'm guessing with the interchange with US-131 right after, it wouldn't be possible, but doing something to make that bridge more aesthetically pleasing would be neat.  Especially with the rapids restoration occurring right underneath.  

As an example, in Rochester, NY, the I-490 bridge over the Genesee River was re-built 10-15 years ago.  Went from a simple concrete bridge (like the current I-196 bridge) to  an arched bridge, which really looks nice in downtown pictures.  I'd post pictures, but unfortunately I don't know how -- a google image of Troup-Howell bridge (before) to Anthony-Douglass bridge (after) will show the difference.

I think this would be a nice addition to the cityscape of downtown GR.  Has something like this been considered?  Does MDOT not have money to consider building something like this?

[Grandville Castle Apartments]

Following this forum and MLive articles, I've been surprised by the dislike from people on this project.  Or maybe the intensity of the dislike.  I get not liking the design, but it seems there are people actively rooting for its failure.  I think it's unique; I wouldn't live there, but I hope it succeeds.  And I hope it helps revitalize that stretch of 28th and Downtown Grandville, too.   Downtown Grandville has the start of some neat bars/breweries; I'm sure more people living nearby would help even more.  

 

[Amazon looking to build in GR metro]

On 8/2/2018 at 8:38 AM, CHGRMI said:

Does anyone know if there will be access additions or improvements to M6/M37 in this area?  Once this thing's built, I suspect that traffic will be a mess with the increase in semi/delivery/commuter vehicles going in and out; it's already pretty bad now during the peak hours.  Just curious if anyone's seen this discussed anywhere.

That's a good question.  WB M6 jams up almost daily at the M37 on ramp.  It would be nice to see either a 3rd lane on M6 in that stretch, or maybe a partial on-ramp/exit with Patterson or East Paris.  

[Van Andel Arena Expansion?]

5 hours ago, ironyisadeadscene said:

Does this mean I'm not the only Sabres fan in west Michigan?

 

Every time I go to a Sabres game at KeyBank Center, it's filled with people from Toronto and Hamilton. And when the Sabres are actually good, there are few fanbases more passionate in the whole league.

Haha, there are dozens of us!  There are a few more Buffalo sports fans that I know of, but of course, we are far outnumbered.  

[Van Andel Arena Expansion?]

10 hours ago, GRLaker said:

Buffalo has a population of 258,000 and an MSA population of 1.2 million. They're also continuing to shrink after six decades of losing population after it peaked in 1950 at 580,000. I would think those programs are prime for stealing to bring to a growing city. Also, Grand Rapids is prime to gain a loyal fan base for whatever sport it brings in since all Detroit teams are in free fall.

 

A couple thoughts on Buffalo, as a Buffalo sports fan and former WNYer.  Although Buffalo MSA is only 1.2 million, the Buffalo sports market extends 45 minutes east to Rochester (1.1 million), 45 minutes west into Canada (1.1 million), plus Toronto 1.5 hours away.  In fact, 45% of the stadium attendance at a Bills game is from Rochester or Canada.  What does this mean?  Buffalo is actually a regional team, with a population base of about 3.5 million.  

The problems for GR getting a major (NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA) sports team are:

-No large regional population base

-Not enough corporate sponsors (this is actually Buffalo's biggest problem, even with 3.5 million people to fill the stadiums/arenas).

-GR and West Michigan are much more of college sports fans (UM vs. MSU).  (At least based on living in Western New York and Western Michigan).

-No sports history to support a team (think smaller Rust Belt teams like Green Bay, Buffalo, Cleveland).

 

A couple of thoughts: I go to 1-2 Griffins games a year.  Usually on Friday.  The arena is usually 2/3 full at best.  In order for GR to support expanding Van Andel, or even considering getting a major team, they need to fill Van Andel all the time.  Look at Winnipeg, when they got the Jets back a few years ago.

I think getting a AAA baseball team would be a good step for GR.  GR is too small to have "only" A baseball.