terra firma

^^^^^^^^^ Anyone know who the owner is on this one ? It's kinda small and mysterious. I'm about to start one a few doors down, may be efficient to do another one simultaneously..... Maybe I'll research this but if anyone knows the back story or ownership picture I'd be grateful.

Does anyone know the current ownership scenario behind this, I believe it was referred to as the D&G liquor store formerly. I remember the announcements about a multi-story mixed use deal but the signs are gone and the plans appear "on hold." Who owns it ?

I think this writer from Calvin College did an excellent job representing both sides of the discussion. Fun little slam in there about "not expecting the developer to know anything about good urban planning": http://www.calvin.edu/chimes/2013/10/17/city-votes-against-building-new-starbucks/

Pedestrian insults ? $750 million in projects ? Donald Trump himself isn't even this important.

What the developer doesn't realize is that McDonalds has been grandfathered in. It has been there for so long, I remember getting Happy Meals there. The Bagel Beanery has been there forever as wel <<<Believe it or not, I realize this.. I'm not a caveman ! I too got happy meals there as a kid. It was across the road from (then) Calvary Church. McDonalds can easily replace their bldg within the existing foundation footprint, thus never need to comply with the new rules...>>

I'd like to chime in here, since i am the developer on this one. No doubt you've been by the site. My portion of it (the nasty, vacant apartments) and Kameel's site (the long-vacant office bldg) are way too far gone for any hope of renovation. I think everyone agrees on that. I stopped renewing Leases in the apartments on 2011 due to life-safety concerns. These buildings are done. I say this as a renovation guy who has done many projects in DT Grand Rapids which some of you are familiar with. Our project is not being built of recycled shipping containers as suggested above. That idea was abandoned in favor of a LEED-certified structure that has natural materials and is very cool (check the sample pic in post #2861 above). Yes, there is outdoor seating and a walk up window. There is simply not enough land here for a large indoor seating area (or a multi-story mixed use development as suggested elsewhere). We are quite limited by the fact our sites (combined) total about 0.24 acres. After many years of searching for a re-development concept for this challenging site, we've found one that works and fits the neighborhood. We're a bit trapped here with a McDonalds (that isn't going away) a power station (not going away) and a street (not going away). Under the circumstances, this redevelopment plan should be welcomed as the best possible option, a great retail service to the neighborhood, the elimination of four derelict structures and a productive neighborhood investment driving new jobs and tax base. This site has always been a fun source of debate, including many past renovations of my own, I respect the variation in opinions here and glad to see so much progress in our 'hood ! eric wynsma terra firma development, llc

Anyone know what happened to Ron's car wash ? Is he shut down for good ?