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8 new apartments coming to Division/Wealthy, across the street from the ICCF property. https://www.crainsgrandrapids.com/news/real-estate/apartments-commercial-space-planned-at-long-vacant-division-avenue-building/

A new restaurant opens up in the Monroe North neighborhood: Chicago Beef Joint. https://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/2023/07/a-taste-of-chicago-in-grand-rapids-new-italian-beef-restaurant-opens-downtown.html

The GR area has one hot pot Korean restaurant and will soon have two. https://www.crainsgrandrapids.com/news/restaurants-1/new-korean-restaurant-debuts-traditional-hot-pot-cooking-in-west-michigan/

Calvin purchases the Compass College of Film and Media, located on Sheldon and Weston. The film school at Calvin will also move to that location. https://www.crainsgrandrapids.com/news/education/calvin-university-to-acquire-compass-college-of-film-and-media/

https://www.woodtv.com/news/grand-rapids/development-to-bring-72-housing-units-to-creston-neighborhood/ The Quimby project getting some love from WOOD today

This apartment building in Whitehall received a $1.5 M grant. https://www.woodtv.com/news/muskegon-county/whitehall-apartment-building-receives-1-5-million-grant/

Approved by the Planning Commission https://www.crainsgrandrapids.com/news/real-estate/grand-rapids-board-approves-key-parts-of-downtown-amphitheater-as-parking-noise-concerns-remain/

Mammoth Distillery is planning a September opening https://www.crainsgrandrapids.com/news/restaurants-1/distillery-plans-september-opening-for-wealthy-street-tasting-room/

A story on Daisies Place, a new brunch spot on Ionia, just south of Fulton. https://www.woodtv.com/news/grand-rapids/she-was-love-grandmother-inspires-new-gr-brunch-spot-daisies-place/

MLive has a video and lengthy photo gallery of the new terminal https://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/2023/06/see-video-of-new-artwork-architecture-amenities-for-passengers-at-grand-rapids-airport.html

If they're closer to Wealthy/Cherry area, south of that. I can understand. Lot of unhoused people are there and all the missions. But if they are further north, I would wonder what makes them feel so unsafe. Everyone is entitled to their own views and opinions, especially when it comes to safety, but I think this is just one example in a small pot. The vibe of downtown in my perspective since living nearby the last 5 years has only continued to increase in "vibes" and safety.

Thanks for finding this and sharing. Really neat to see what the thoughts are of the group. I'm curious about the railroad bridge across the river, if that is still used regularly or even at all. I can't imagine wanting to live right next to an active railroad track that splits a development. I do drive by that junction regularly and I never really see any trains go over the river, just over Wealthy from the train station. Second, not in the rendering, but it's an empty lot across Market from the 230 units, 310 spaces building is a lot with a building at 431 Wealthy. It's currently for sale, asking $1.2 million (https://www.loopnet.com/Listing/431-Wealthy-St-SW-Grand-Rapids-MI/28335167/). I have to imagine that is going to be a hot spot for someone to build on, considering how close it is to this development. Finally, I love the height on the DeVos lots north of 131 and the smaller height further down the river toward Wealthy. I think that fits in nicely with the neighborhood. It's also encouraging to see absolutely no surface lots and garages all attached to these proposed buildings. I hope this all gets built, but I won't hold my breath. One thing I don't see is the riverwalk extending on the river on the DeVos property, it seems to meander back to Market. I'd prefer that to go all the way down the waterfront rather than back toward the street.

This seems like a really cool idea, another thing to do indoors during the winter. When I visit Indianapolis for family events, once in awhile we go downtown and there's a bowling, bocce ball, other things event area downtown and while I wish there were more things than just bocce ball here, this is still a really niche thing to bring that should get a decent amount of business. https://www.crainsgrandrapids.com/news/real-estate/secchia-scion-plans-entertainment-space-with-plenty-of-grand-rapids-nostalgia-in-monroe-north/ "The 50-year-old son of the late-businessman Peter Secchia purchased the former Riverfront Fitness Center located at 975 Ottawa Ave. NW for $2.5 million at the end of March. He plans to fully renovate the 50,000-square-foot building into a mixed-use entertainment center known as The Rec Room with five bocce ball courts, a restaurant, bar, private event space and 55-space indoor parking deck. "

Details on the former J. Gardella's space. https://www.crainsgrandrapids.com/news/restaurants-1/high-end-restaurant-scholar-to-open-downtown-this-summer/ "“He would describe it as things that your great-grandmother (who) might have immigrated from Europe (would make),” Winks said, “You’re going to see your typical great steaks and seafood dishes. The cuisine at Scholar reflects historic Americana with elevated classic American dishes, … old American that is timeless, not trendy.” Renovations at Scholar are nearing the finish line, and Winks is planning to open the concept in time for the ArtPrize crowd. He’s targeting a mid-to-late August soft opening, followed by a grand opening to invite the public into his new space. "

A detailed article from WOOD TV on the project. It has interior photos of the building now as well as more renderings. https://www.woodtv.com/news/grand-rapids/155m-project-turning-historical-plant-into-multiuse-factory-yards/

Hmm you might have some inside sources that know a few things https://www.crainsgrandrapids.com/news/real-estate/american-seating-moving-to-former-steelcase-property/ "First Companies Inc. recently filed an application with the city on behalf of American Seating to complete an industrial remodel at 1040 40th St. SE. Ghafari Associates is listed as the project architect. The proposal calls for demolishing a small office space on the north end of the building, renovating the parking lot and remodeling the inside of the building to add a mezzanine for office and support space. The overall plan would modify the existing facility to support American Seating’s relocation from its longtime headquarters that dates back to the late 19th century."

You're giving off a completely different project in the top rendering. There's no amphitheater there. Yes, you're negative about 116 spaces. Again, I don't like parking lots either, I don't want to see LOTS. But go ahead and complain, I won't stop you. I'll just harp on the negative nancy talk for you. I'm not asking to be a cheerleader for any project, just be realistic about what the market brings. To me, the fact that it's 116 spaces and not more is BIG WIN.

Huh? Look I'm not a fan of parking lots in a downtown area AT ALL. I prefer parking garages to lots. I prefer people using public transit or other means of transportation, but you can't just eliminate parking altogether. It's not logical. Did you read the paragraph about parking? "Developers note in the planning documents that the majority of parking needs could be met by the approximately 18,500 parking spaces located within a 15-minute walk of the amphitheater." Adding a 116-space lot seems like a speck for a 12,000 seat amphitheater.

An update from Crain's has new renderings, more details and a change of how the amphitheater will sit on the property. https://www.crainsgrandrapids.com/news/economic-development/new-details-emerge-for-downtown-grand-rapids-amphitheater/ "The planning application also details how the venue would be used to draw about 300,000 visitors per season from April to October. Events would include a mix of community events and concerts totaling about 50 events every season, according to the planning memo. The amphitheater would operate seven days a week, with part of the development open to the public, including a park area north of the amphitheater, a lawn area and walkways that access the riverwalk. The 85,000-square-foot venue would include 7,000 fixed seats and 5,000 lawn seats, a main stage, concessions, and a pedestrian and entrance plaza along Market Avenue, per the planning documents. Updated renderings show the amphitheater stage facing north toward the downtown skyline, compared to previous versions in which the stage faced south."

https://www.crainsgrandrapids.com/news/retail/denver-outdoor-sports-retailer-plans-grand-rapids-store-as-owner-relocates-to-west-michigan/ "Funkhouser founded Feral Mountain Co. in 2016 with the dream of “creating adventure.” The retailer has grown since then to include two Colorado locations, one in Denver and one in the suburb of Idaho Springs, where it offers a range of new and used gear at accessible price points, in addition to rentals, gear repair and cleaning. "

Story today from Crain's Grand Rapids: https://www.crainsgrandrapids.com/news/real-estate/zoning-change-would-permit-taller-buildings-in-downtown-grand-rapids/ "When an ordinance allows a use “by right,” that particular part of a site plan does not need to go through the planning commission’s public approval process, and can be considered administratively by city staff. Under the city’s current height bonus tool, developers are able to “earn” the right to build past the 10-story building maximum in the larger Downtown Height Overlay District (DH2a) up to 16 stories if they incorporate mixed-income housing, green elements and public art into their site plan. "

Here's the news on the former Elk Brewing space. https://www.crainsgrandrapids.com/news/restaurants-1/lounge-style-art-gallery-eyes-former-elk-brewing-location-on-wealthy-street/ "The concept for 700 Wealthy Street SE calls for converting the 1,600-square-foot space into The Grey Rabbit, which is billed as a lounge-style art gallery. Partners aim to open the new concept in September 2023. "

Story from WOODTV on the new pizza spot going into the old Brick Road Pizza location. https://www.woodtv.com/news/grand-rapids/electric-cheetah-owner-bringing-new-concept-to-brick-road-pizza-spot/ "Testa Rossa Pizzeria will offer Sicilian-style pizza, live music and more, owner Cory DeMint said." "The menu will offer something for everyone, with a mix of modern-American and traditional Italian dishes. The pizzas will be thin and crispy, baked in “high-temperature ovens creating a nice, Sicilian-style pizza using very high-quality ingredients,” DeMint said." "DeMint said Testa Rossa Pizzeria will have its soft opening in the next few weeks, which will focus on the restaurant’s pizza, salads, beer and wine. The grand opening will be sometime this fall."

Just did a quick search on Google and it's a Wyoming address but it's within city limits of Grand Rapids, oddly enough.

Not sure where to post this, but thought this was the best thread. https://www.crainsgrandrapids.com/news/real-estate/grand-rapids-heritage-hill-home-tour-includes-7-residences-3-historic-buildings/ It's a summary of the 2023 Heritage Hill Home Tour coming up this weekend. Tickets are available for purchase even on the days of the events. They'll have food trucks as well, new this year.