RiversideGR

Some windows and a balcony…. I get excited thinking about how much more lively that stretch of plainfield will feel when these are occupied. It’s been a dead zone for a while.

Lucy's announced on social media that they are working on bringing back dinner service.

I got this from watching the video of yesterday's planning commission meeting (i know, i'm a nerd). The first 30ish minutes are about this project, I believe the rest is mostly about the amphitheater.

Planning commission approved a density variance for the Franklin Partners redevelopment of the Display Pak property. A representative of Hansen Balk (south-adjoining) expressed support for the project, but also expressed some mild concern of future residents being bothered by the industrial use. He also indicated that there is potential that Hansen Balk will relocate in the future.

I’ve only been to bigby a handful of times but I was never impressed. I think madcap is a better representation of GR coffee.

Fence is up for the new apartments at Quimby and Plainfield

I’ve been to a restaurant/bar with indoor bocce courts in another city and it was incredibly popular. I think the article makes a good point that we don’t have a ton of indoor activity options for the winter months. I have a feeling it will do well.

Woah that is great - and will really upgrade the entertainment options in that neighborhood! Isn't this the same building that developers were trying to turn into storage units last year? this is MUCH more exciting.

This is a good point. I could see stuff like the "Van Andel Artist Lounge" or "Betsy Devos Concessions Plaza" lol I agree with others that Acrisure is most likely....i suppose there is always a possibility that it isn't a local company. Pepsi Amphitheater or something. Amway would probably be the worst option IMO....though with all their layoffs in recent years I'd like to think that they wouldn't consider putting money into something like that.

i've always wondered what the story is with this property....it's like a cell phone store that is attached to a house that is attached to a warehouse. Does anyone know any history or anything about the other tenants besides Metro?

Big E's on the Beltline to re-open after a LONG shutdown from COVID. Big E’s reopens on the Beltline following COVID interruption | WOODTV.com

There is an item before the Board of Zoning Appeals this month to convert a vacant mixed-use building on Knapp (formerly occupied by a party store) into 2 three-bedroom residential units. There was a previous attempt this year to permit a tattoo shop on the ground floor which was denied. Franklin Partners also filed some more stuff with the planning dept for the former Display Pak development. I am not seeing very much new stuff in the project description other than that construction is planned to start in "Fall 2023"

how do we get news stations to do more content like that?

I agree with many of you that safety downtown is primarily a non-issue, but that we must counter that perception with the evidence that downtown is a safe space for people enjoy. Unfortunately, I have some bad news...I came across some social media posts showing gatherings downtown that got a little out of hand.... look at this wild bunch that completely took over the Blue Bridge: to make matters worse there have been large gatherings of people at Rosa Parks circle EVERY TUESDAY THIS MUST BE STOPPED!!!!!

I think that is this: $8M north GR apartment project among recipients of state brownfield grants (mibiz.com)

Some Creston news from permit applications: Rez Lounge is applying for a social zone along Plainfield. I think this is great...rez lounge is a great neighborhoood bar. 1340 Monroe is going to the planning commission later this month - it looks like they need some approvals for density requirements since their financing is requiring them to split the parcel into two. I think I saw some newer renderings/site plans in the packet too: 1340 Monroe Ave NW - OPR for Density Requirements - Grand Rapids, Michigan (iqm2.com) It sounds like the former Baker Building is moving forward with the reno of the northern portion (still looking to sell the southern portion for condos) ^This is one is exciting to me because the plans are supposed to improve river access along this portion of the Grand.

True! I think people jumping to assumptions based on a headline is a widespread issue in our society these days...

I agree that it won’t help and it’s awful to hear about, but also important to note that the police said they believe this person was specifically targeted. It could have happened at any apartment complex, but that individual happened to live downtown. Things like this happen in other parts of the city pretty frequently and people barely bat an eye.

I’m guessing the rounded part on the southern portion of the parking area is meant to be a bus turnaround?

People on reddit were mad about the previous design because it faced the highway. Now people are unhappy because they cant see downtown. I'm with you in that the people making decisions on this are looking at all of the available options and trying to optimize the design accordingly....but i am an optimist (sometimes to a fault)

also: Perrigo set to make Grand Rapids home to North American headquarters (fox17online.com) Acrisure to bring back 700 employees to downtown Grand Rapids office (mibiz.com) Financial Startup Tiicker Buys Office Building in Downtown Grand Rapids (costar.com) KeyBank’s Presence in Western Michigan Grows with Opening of New Office and Community Support in Grand Rapids (yahoo.com) Lambert & Co. founder acquires downtown GR building for $3M to support growth (mibiz.com) Blue Cross Blue Shield signs 7-year lease extension in downtown GR (mibiz.com) Twisthink completes ESOP transition, readies HQ move to Grand Rapids (mibiz.com)

this woodtv map is so much easier to interpret than the figures that I saw in the planning commission documents.

I can't see the article due to the paywall, but idk that I buy the "safety concerns" theme. I imagine remote work and the cost of office space has played a much bigger factor in those decisions.