highwayguy

Wow, above the fold! Nice! Don't get me wrong, there's nothing wrong with either. I go to church most Sundays myself. It's just this idea from those that don't live here that everyone in Grand Rapids is conservative and "churchy", and if someone doesn't fit that category that they somehow won't fit in here or will be looked down upon, that really bothers me. I don't think any of those things are actually true about the Grand Rapids area, in fact I think we actually live in a rather diverse and accepting community that is, for the most part, welcoming of all. I'm happy that this article highlights lots of positive things that are going on in Grand Rapids, and that it's even on the front page, I just think they could have left political views out of it and focused on the projects themselves.

There is an article about green initiatives in Grand Rapids in today's Detroit Free Press: http://www.freep.com/article/20081019/NEWS...0390/1001/rss01 For the most part it's a decent article, but it has a few issues: - More than once Grand Rapids is stereotyped as "conservative" and/or "churchy". - The writer implies that everwhere on the southeast side of Grand Rapids is "gritty". - The "hip Cherry Street neighborhood" is not north of downtown, it is east of downtown.

I agree, this is a great idea. Meijer gets a little bit of additional business from commuters and some free publicity, and the State saves money by not building new parking lots. And as mentioned many times on this site, the last thing we need is more underutilized parking lots. Link to MDOT Press Release: http://www.michigan.gov/mdot/0,1607,7-151-...01177--,00.html

There is still a Cheddar's in Lansing. It actually closed a while back, but then reopened just a month or two ago. It's on Saginaw Hwy, about 1 1/2 miles east of I-96. Interestingly, right next door is Finley's, another chain that has been absent from the Grand Rapids area for many years now.

There is a list of all of the Meijer stores, C-Stops, distribution centers, offices, and other buildings at: http://www.meijervendor.com/public/meijerstoredclist.html

In today's Grand Rapids Press: Backers of mass transit working to get streetcars they desire Cost of streetcars may be less in Grand Rapids Details of a Grand Rapids streetcar line

I agree, it's only getting worse. If someone else has purchased it, hopefully they will tear it down soon. I see Linens-N-Things now has everything 30%-50% off. I wonder how much those people who stand on the street corner holding a "Going Out Of Business" sign get paid? (And where they find the people to do it?) I believe you are correct.

Well, it closed a few years ago and has been going downhill ever since. There has been at least one fire in the area near the office since it closed, as can be seen from the aerial photos. I'm quite surprised that Cascade Township hasn't forced any demolition at this site.

It's more than ugly, it's DANGEROUS. That complex definitely needs to be torn down, more so than any of the other buildings mentioned. I attempted to drive back there about a year ago but turned around, afraid that I would drive over something and put a hole in a tire, and/or that someone would emerge from one of the buildings and start shooting. If it was more visible from the road I'm sure it would be gone by now. Me too, even though I was only able to go a couple of times. It's probably quite difficult to turn a profit on an outdoor water park in Michigan.

There is a lot of redevelopment going on right now along 28th Street, particularly in the Kentwood area. Among the projects currently underway: - The former site of Splash Water Park / AJ's Family Water Park (4441 28th St SE) is being redeveloped into a new location for the Menard's store that is currently located in CenterPointe Mall. - The Best Western Midway hotel (4101 28th St SE) was demolished in late 2006 / early 2007 to make way for a new Fox Motors location, which is currently under construction. - The former location of CompUSA (3940 28th St SE) is being remodeled into a Michaels store. - Construction is underway on the site of the former Mountain Jack's Steakhouse (3600 28th St SE) to build a new commercial building which will include the first Chipotle Mexican Grill in the Grand Rapids area. - Demolition started within the past week on the recently closed Don Pablo's restaurant (3570 28th St SE), as well as the former locations of Grand Rapids Lighting Center (3460 28th St SE) and DeKorne/Ethan Allen (3450 28th St SE). Anyone have updates on these projects, or more to add to the list?

Excellent! Good luck and welcome to Grand Rapids/Urban Planet!

Does anyone know where I can pick up a print copy of the Grand Rapids Business Journal? I assume most local bookstores would have it, but I haven't looked. Thanks in advance!

I was at the Clyde Park Ave/54th St Meijer yesterday and there is some sort of renovation in progress. So far the cafe is closed until it opens in its "new location" in July, the bakery appears to be closed, and bread has been moved to a temporary location near the back of the store. I wonder how extensive (or lack thereof) this renovation will be?

A transcontinental racing event known as the "Fireball Run" is scheduled to end in Grand Rapids the first weekend of October. I decided to mention it in this thread because it could, potentially, generate some additional media exposure for Grand Rapids. Here are a couple of links and a video: GR Press article Fireball Run website Video featuring Mayor Heartwell:

One of the worst terminals, at least in this part of the world, is the Smith Terminal in Detroit. However, it will soon be replaced with the brand new North Terminal, which is scheduled to open this September.