DwntwnGeo

There is an article on Mlive today about this business/building on Wealthy Street. It may clear up some of the questions that have been asked previously in this thread. http://www.mlive.com/business/west-michigan/index.ssf/2012/07/dg_party_store_wealthy.html#incart_river_default

I agree that there always ways around problems. The big question is who pays the price for the work around. When I read over the report. It seemed (at least to me) that the point of making this "first" phase of the project simple and cost effective in order to get it passed and started. They mentioned they wanted to keep the grade level etc. I believe they also mentioned looking at going up or down Ottawa, but didn't because of the construction work that would have to be done at Michigan & I-196. To you or I we may not see this has a huge issue, but you are always going to have people out there who will see it as an issue. Already I have read blogs on WZZM or WOOD where people don't think $76 or $80 Million is even worth it, even if it is private dollars and not public. If we added extras to go up Michigan or down Ottawa, would we have more people in favor of the Street car with a price tag closer to $100 Million? On the other hand, I would want to make sure the route that is choosen is a good route and will serve the public. Basically there has to be some give and take. Most of us would rather have a Caddy over a Pinto, but wouldn't an average car get us everywhere we needed to go? my $.02

Rizzo, No problem. I think they were just surprised that I had showed up at the front desk. I think they won't have any to hand out until after it is approved. That way it won't have "Draft" stamped over it.

FYI I stopped by The Rapid tonight after work to pick up a hard copy. They didn't have any that they could distribute to the public yet. I gave them my information and they said they would contact me when they have copies ready to hand out.

Thanks for the posting. I will try and grab a hard copy over the next few days!

I would like one also.

metrogrkid, Thanks for the updates. This sounds very exciting indeed. I am glad to hear that several of the community leaders were there and impressed with the ideas. Can you give us a timeline of when the report would be available for the public to see/read?

Can you elaborate any on the North end loop? The proposed map on The Rapid's website only shows the route up and down Monroe. From your statement above, it sounds as there may be a section of track along Bond or Ottawa in addition to Monroe.

Port City Cab is based out of Muskegon. Maybe they pulled out of Grand Rapids because they wouldn't meet the new requirements that were changed with this repeal? Here is a quote from the article: "The ordinance changes also tighten up requirements for out-of-town cab companies and clarifies the ordinance on the prosecution for non-payment for cab rides." d8alterego, maybe the "tighten up requirements for out-of-town" companies will curb many or any new cab companies to start up shot in Grand Rapids.

I could be wrong, but isn't the shaded area the atrium inside the building? If it is maybe there is a color difference to help heat or cool the large open space in the atrium. Or to limit or let more sunlight in. Maybe it is just a design idea to brake up the wall

I drove by the site today and noticed a rendering picture with the spire on it. It was across from the new Cancer Center.

I am not in the development field, so I don't know what goes on there and I would like to see this project continue. At lease Sam is willing to put forth more money towards the purchase of the project. My question on this would be: "If this was any other developer from out of town, would the City give them the same extentions that they have give Sam?" Also how does this effect future developements in the City? Does doing this allow for developers to "lock" in pieces of properties for developement while they construct prelimary plans for multiple years before they can come up with a feasible one?

Another snag in the progress of this site. The City was to sell the site by today. It appears they will ask for yet another 60 day extention. This time they will put forth another $95k in monies. Here is the article on Mlive.com Grand Rapids' efforts to sell land for Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts hits another snag

Thanks for the updates I hope things will come together on this project and they can proceed as planned.

There is an article on WZZM 13 this morning about the proposed Street Car for Downtown GR. Grand Rapids considers streetcar plan Personally I don't car for the "older" style street car used in the picture on their site. I wish they would have used the newer style. The story is also on Grand Rapid Business Journal this week. Streetcar System Seen As Economic Booster Some highlights from the article:

The article didn't mention anything about building up on the site. Just said they were planning on leasing the space. Work would depend on who leases it and how much of the building they lease. Meaning if one tenant takes the entire space, they won't do anything, but if they have to split it up into three spaces with three entrances they will. The article also remarked about how well the space looked and was kept up. I guess it is very nice inside. There is one aparment on the seond floor and they mentioned nothing would change with that piece of the building.

Interesting, I didn't know that. You learn something new everyday. Thanks

I thought the Michigan Street Hill is too steep of a grade to have a Street car and that was why it has been put on the "back burner" so to speak.

WOW!!! This is great news! One more step in the positive direction

I agree that I don't think this "editing" should be done in Federal reports, but I don't think our current Administration is the first to do this and sadly I doubt it will be the last one (IMO).

Third extention will be needed "City Parking Services Director Pam Ritsema said today she will ask city commissioners for a third extension of the deadline to complete the sale of a vacant lot at Fulton Street and Division Avenue." "Developer Sam Cummings, who first won approval to buy the vacant lot in May 2005, remained upbeat as he updated city officials on the steps he needs to complete." "UICA officials have not signed the final agreements, but Cummings said he is confident the non-profit group will succeed in raising the money. "I'm encouraged by their reports," he said." "First Ward Commissioner James Jendrasiak said he wanted to know where Cummings would find tenants for his "luxury" apartments. Cummings said marketing studies indicate there's a demand for rental housing in the downtown market. He said the apartments would aimed at professionals and comparable to those offered in Plaza Towers." The article is on Mlive.com Delay recommended for Fulton/Division project

Personally, I would've liked to have seen more of UICA at the corner of Division and Fulton. On a happier note, I am glad that on the second level (level with Division) there will be two retail bays for shops/stores along Division instead of parking

Thanks for the clarification on the parking ramp. The posted renderings all seem to make sense to me as far as having the Apartment tower on the West end and UICA on the Fulton/Division corner with what looks like the parking put/hidden on the southern side of the lot. What is confusing to me was the new "block" like model that was posted today. In my opinion it looked like the entire Eastern half of the building was going to be the parking structure while the retail and apartments were all on the western edge. I hope this project turns out more like the renderings show than the model.

Maybe I am missing something, but when did this project start to include a parking structure that was to be sold back to the city? Am I looking the picture above correctly. Are we looking at the lot as if we are facing Southwest? If so it looks like the promident corner at Division and Fulton will be nothing more than a 3 story parking garage with UICA, other retail and the apartments at the corner of Comerce and Fulton

As Rizzo mentioned above "Federal approval for BRT" "A plan to build a near 10-mile express bus line to serve communities south of Grand Rapids moved from concept to reality today with news that federal approval needed to eventually secure money for the project has been given." "Varga said early next year he will begin working with Gov. Jennifer Granholm, the Michigan Department of Transportation, and local lawmakers to ensure the money is included in next year's state budget" Let's hope Varga doesn't have too much trouble in Lansing next year. More details from the FTA expected later this week. The story is on Mlive.com BRT Approval