Zads

I'll have to disagree here. The housing units are so needed, but not at the expense of tearing down a building that is designated as historic. Personally, I hate that there's more surface parking and less green space, but I'm happy to see a building saved.

Here's a piece from MLive detailing the changes to the development. https://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/2023/01/large-grand-rapids-housing-retail-development-scaled-back-by-307-units.html “It’s really this designation by the state historic preservation office that is now driving these changes,” said Elizabeth Zeller, senior planner for the city of Grand Rapids. “They’ve had to rethink the project.”

I live right around the corner from these locations on Wealthy St. (Penguin, Tatum sites) in East Hills. I don't know if these two locations are actually inside the border of East Hills, probably just outside of it. Anyways, looking forward to the renderings and updates.

I won't get into the political opinions on my part, I have many, but here's a piece from WOOD TV regarding the shutting down of the DEI office and the response from the West Coast Chamber of Commerce. https://www.woodtv.com/news/ottawa-county/dei-office-shutdown-worries-some-ottawa-co-business-leaders/ The Holland City Manager is optimistic.

Not sure if this needs to be a new thread, but new businesses coming in 2023 https://www.woodtv.com/news/grand-rapids/new-year-new-biz-see-whats-coming-to-grand-rapids-in-2023/

Thanks for sharing, I had no idea this type of event existed.

This is fantastic news to see more saved rather than torn down.

This just hits the edge of the city. I don't know what part of the intersection, but great news for more housing in the area. https://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/2022/12/240-unit-apartment-development-coming-to-grand-rapids.html?utm_campaign=mlivenews_sf&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter

I honestly don't understand how people can argue this as gentrification. This building is replacing not housing, but emptiness. Yes this area has a lot of Black people living in it, but that doesn't displace them with this addition. If the development adds only market-rate apartments and nothing else, then I can see an argument, but even then, it's a big stretch. Can't wait to see it in color and what it looks like.

This is an absolute cop-out by Ambiance owners. To blame COVID-19 funds and the riots, more than a year after they happened, as reason for closure is not someone I would ever want to do business with or patronize it as a citizen. I was recently downtown the last few days over the weekend, both at night and during the day, on Monroe Center. Yes, some people are homeless in that area, but as for feeling unsafe, that's a big N-O. These owners are a joke and I hope they don't open anything else if they want to give excuses for their own failures.

I really liked Royals. Pizza was a bit expensive, but the apps and drinks were reasonably priced. I'm surprised because visually seemed to be doing well, but the recession may have played a part here.

Oh man, I gotta know all about this

I really hoped this would come to fruition. Sadly, very understandable in this current economic climate. Maybe we'll see that site redeveloped one day.

A photo from East Hills GR Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=533971878730574&set=a.469231041871325 The former Cherry Deli space is becoming a personal chef, catering business. https://mibiz.com/sections/small-business/former-cherry-deli-building-sold-to-growing-catering-personal-chef-business?fbclid=IwAR3w4SRQ2ciLVvPHnG3K9ocJKlWOb2nq0bvTbHvepNcKpK-jy2OQoKIkZMU

https://www.woodtv.com/news/kent-county/kurdish-flavors-nutella-pizza-pizzeria-opens-in-gaslight-village/ I've never had Kurdish pizza before, but I'm definitely going to be trying this.

I was looking forward to trying out this food. After reading the article and the excuses they came up with, yikes. Next time have a better business plan.