Herefortherumors

Agree. USL or Next Pro seems the only logical direction given the public plans thus far. That said, I’m still going to spend the day daydreaming about a scenario where someone has a much larger-scale plan up their sleeve .

THAT is something that piques my interest in this project.

Currently, the smallest MLS stadium is PayPal Park (18,000 capacity), home of the San Jose Earthquakes. At 8,500 capacity, and even if we believe “expandable to 11,000” could be realized anywhere in the near future, I can’t believe any MLS team is coming to GR unless there are plans behind the scenes to at least double the proposed capacity.

I am excited by the investment in this area and by the commitment to continuing to grow the sports culture in GR. As someone who doesn’t watch a lot of soccer, I still appreciate the cultural significance it has in other parts of the world, and the country, and hope the same could be cultivated in our community with a little stimulant from a project like this. Like others here, though, I have a gut feeling that the scope is off. It seems that it’s in a perfectly dangerous place that’s not small enough to be practical and community-centric, but also not big enough to be a game changer or a prioritized investment for Grand Rapids’ future. The size and aesthetic design, as proposed, seem too large/artificial to fit as an organic extension of the west side. Too big to be a neighborhood staple that is “easily” maintained, used and shared. At the same time, it’s too small and too narrowly focused if the intent is to become a sustainable pillar of Grand Rapids culture and a boon to the local economy. I’d like to see a full commitment to one or the other. I’m in the “go big or go home” camp on this one and would love to see a larger venue adaptable to all levels of soccer as well as marque high school football matchups and local college football games, and an outdoor Griffins game or two as an added bonus. Maybe with the right design we really could woo the Michigan Panthers to the west side. I’d hate to see the development of an underwhelming complex that is too expensive to maintain because of waning long-term interest due to its narrow scope and lack of ability to evolve. Even if the pundits promise there will be other events besides a few months of soccer at some level. If this is built out as proposed, I genuinely hope I’m wrong and that I’m one of thousands in the stands cheering on a professional GR soccer club on a Saturday for years to come.

https://grbj.com/news/real-estate/wealthy-street-undergoes-development-boom/ Eager to find out who’s moving into old Royals, and Elk for that matter. It’s great to see this positive momentum and attention moving into spring. Also noticed 804 Wealthy (shares the building on the corner of Eastern with Chartreuse Sisters) appears to be nearing completion, presumably with a tenant under contract.

Understood that this is a “courtesy rendering”, but this still appears to be north of 131. Far right would be 131. The little tan building in the top right corner appears to be 213 Oakes St Sw and the triangle parking lot to the left of that little tan building looks like the 90 Market lot. Confused because this isn’t 201 Market, but maybe this is just an old rendering from when the plot north of 131 was being considered for the amphitheater?