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San Chez Bistro has opened a deli in Bridgewater Place. Paywall: https://www.crainsgrandrapids.com/news/restaurants-1/san-chez-bistro-owner-opens-new-deli-concept-at-bridgewater-place/ "The new, 900-square-foot restaurant, located in unit 240 within Bridgewater Place at 333 Bridge St. NW, offers breakfast and deli-style lunch options. The grab-and-go restaurant is a new model for Lotterman-Schneider, whose other restaurants focus on elevating international cuisines, but it’s one she’s looking forward to molding to customer interests over time. "

Adelaide Pointe's marina is officially open. https://www.wzzm13.com/article/news/local/adelaide-pointe-marina-open/69-aa24a203-677d-41fe-8f2b-92c2cdf52af1

Kent County it is (based on a study). So where do we think this would be best built in Kent County? https://www.woodtv.com/news/kent-county/study-picks-kent-co-as-best-spot-for-john-ball-zoo-aquarium/

The airport is expanding snow removal services on the runway. https://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/2024/05/grand-rapids-airports-85m-project-aims-to-improve-runway-snow-removal.html

Same for Facebook folks, they are totally up in arms over this. I would say that this is a city response to a concern raised by neighbors and the neighborhood association. Objectively, a permit program is great because it'll guarantee a spot on the street, maybe not in front of your house, but maybe on your street, for a fee. I think the fee can be debated, for sure, but the idea seems like a good one, at least in my opinion.

An update on Pickle x Pin. https://www.woodtv.com/news/grand-rapids/pickle-x-pin-gr-west-side-business-combines-golf-pickleball/

Here's another article on the development from MLive. https://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/2024/04/80m-development-planned-for-long-vacant-site-along-us-131-bringing-240-new-jobs.html

Incredible news from Crain's, a conversion of the Fifth Third Bank Building downtown into some residential units. https://www.crainsgrandrapids.com/news/real-estate/cwd-proposes-32m-conversion-of-downtown-commercial-space-into-140-residential-units/ "CWD’s plan would convert about 95,025 square feet of existing commercial space into residential use. The 140 residential units would be a mix of one- and two-bedroom units, with 28 of the units earmarked for income-qualified households earning no more than 100% of the area median income, according to plans CWD filed with the city. Construction work is expected to begin this fall and take about 18 months to complete, CWD indicated in the filings."

A building purchase, the former First Community Bank. https://www.crainsgrandrapids.com/news/real-estate/historic-downtown-grand-rapids-bank-acquired-by-muskegon-developer/ "Rooks said he envisions a wide range of tenants that could make the space work. Those tenants could potentially include a food court, law firm, call center, luxury residential unit, real estate office, or a mix of several uses based on how the space is laid out over multiple levels, he said. The recent sale also includes the basement of the building, which features a 110-year-old round vault door and a series of nine private rooms that could serve as an interesting office, residential condo or bar, Rooks said."

I'm not surprised. It'll look like they have their own campus and it'll look great on their letterhead. Personally, pass. I'd rather not see this change, it's too corporate. BUT, if they want it so bad, maybe they don't tear down buildings and pave over them or empty lots, for parking lots and rather build garages with stuff (residential, offices) above them. Then, maybe, I'll consider giving you a street name. But you gotta do a lot to get a street name in my book.

I personally hope for something similar, or a soccer bar. That's going to be a perfect spot for when the new stadium opens up.

As a fan and "one share owner" of DCFC, the passion that the fans bring to those games are electric. It's so much fun. I hope GR can replicate it here, whether they're in the same league or not.

I have a hard time believing this. The stadium would be last in the league in seating capacity (even if expanded) and would be the smallest city population wise. I expect nothing higher than USL.

Reserve Wine and Food is closing in May, changing concepts and coming back again later in the year. Side note: Crain's now is subscription based. Highly recommend getting a sub, they do great work. https://www.crainsgrandrapids.com/news/restaurants-1/devos-owned-reserve-wine-and-food-to-close-for-renovations-ahead-of-new-concept Been here multiple times, great location, lots of fun. Can't wait to see the new food menu and the expansion.

Was this guy named Lucas Leverett? He's on the board for West Grand and frankly a lot of his comments are very.....umm....excessive at times, we'll say, in my opinion.

GRBC is officially closed, permanently. https://www.facebook.com/GRBrewingCo/posts/pfbid022GPeXK4vFGgA1XFCC6gdrbLDjueSkGDz9zWX6MKnUbo23CTa3hqv58vzvEBoqW94l

Story from Crain's on the approval. I sincerely appreciate Commissioner Shannon's comment about how the DASH lots are always empty. That's been a big talking point for people that are opposed to this project because it takes away parking (not to be confused with those that have an issue with the lack of parking). I'm also a resident of West Grand and I get the parking concerns for neighbors, that's valid. I'm interested to see if there's any sort of agreement that can be reached between GA2.0 and the neighborhoods (JBAN and West Grand specifically) in regard to prioritizing neighbor parking during events. https://www.crainsgrandrapids.com/news/economic-development/soccer-stadium-plan-gets-crucial-grand-rapids-board-approval/

A really cool project coming to downtown Muskegon and revitalizing a vacant building. https://www.mlive.com/news/muskegon/2024/03/see-inside-muskegon-food-hall-being-built-in-historic-bank-building.html

Really nice of Billy Strings to help with affordable housing here in GR. "John Glover, executive director of Well House, said the nonprofit will use Strings’ donation to help fund the construction of three new housing projects at 512 Highland St. SE, 32-34 Pleasant St. SE and 1138 Cass Ave. SE in Grand Rapids. Together, the projects would cost $2.4 million and create eight units of affordable multifamily rental housing with a total of 18 bedrooms." https://www.crainsgrandrapids.com/news/real-estate/billy-strings-backs-housing-project-for-low-income-residents-in-grand-rapids/

Alright, for location guessing, anything owned by DDA or YMCA, there's a couple of spots, but not much. Feel free to use this GIS Map to help if you want to look: https://gis.kentcountymi.gov/public/publicviewerjs/ 331 and 325 Winter (top of the map) 412 Douglas (right side of the map) 250 and 501 Seward (left side of the map) Those are the only locations in that area that are owned by the DDA or City of Grand Rapids or YMCA. 412 Douglas is the only spot within the specific boundary they talk about in the "Stadium District" EDIT: Adding to this from GA 2.0's website and presentation slide deck, this image where they could be eyeing Fulton and Market/Monroe. That location might be the spot as well. https://www.grandaction.org/current-projects/acrisure-amphitheater

Booking.com is building out an office in 99 Monroe. https://www.crainsgrandrapids.com/news/real-estate/online-travel-agency-booking-com-plans-downtown-grand-rapids-office/

And here's the story. https://www.crainsgrandrapids.com/news/real-estate/150-apartments-planned-at-former-west-side-duthlers-grocery-store/ "Talbot is still in the “design and gathering feedback stage,” but plans a 117,000-square-foot, five-story building with 150 apartments, a small ground floor retail space, fitness center, a roof deck for residents, and onsite parking. He hopes to start the $31 million project by the end of this year with a completion date in summer 2026, according to a presentation today to nearby business owners. "

https://www.crainsgrandrapids.com/news/real-estate/rising-costs-design-setbacks-delay-9-acre-boston-square-together-development/ "The community hub, named “Hub ‘07” by neighbors of the project, broke ground in April 2023 and is the first major piece of the Boston Square Together project. The 45,000-square-foot hub was originally expected to open in phases starting at the beginning of this year. The community hub’s only secured tenants at this time are Corewell Health, which is opening a community health clinic on the ground floor, and Amplify GR, which plans to move its offices to the building."

https://www.crainsgrandrapids.com/news/economic-development/west-michigans-population-growth-is-hampered-by-housing-shortages-leaders-say/ "West Michigan’s population growth far outpaced the state’s slight increase of 0.04%, or 3,980 people, last year. In 2023, Kent County’s population grew by 2,434 people (0.37%), Ottawa County grew by 2,454 people (0.82%), Allegan County grew by 649 people (0.54%), Muskegon County grew by 1,025 (0.58%), and Kalamazoo County grew by 1,323 (0.51%)." "A 2023 Kent County Housing Needs Assessment published in February 2023 showed 34,699 more housing units will be needed in the county by 2027. A Muskegon County study found that the county’s housing gap will grow to 9,184 residential units between 2022 and 2027. A 2021 Ottawa County study found the county would need about 4,385 additional rental units and 11,346 for-sale units by 2025."

As a skier, yes please