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localtalent

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Posts posted by localtalent

  5. Cable cars in GR?

    in Grand Rapids

    Posted · Edited by localtalent

    I’ll just say that this birdie is reliable and I believe something is percolating here at some level.

    There was way too much detail around it, including preliminary budget, potential funding sources, etc to have just been made up out of nowhere.

    Time will tell.

  7. Hinman project - new 13 story hotel at 10 Ionia

    in Grand Rapids

    Posted

    I can understand being disappointed that we won't have a new 40 story building to gaze upon, but those criticizing the 'value engineering' are really looking at it from the wrong end.

    The numbers have to work. Frequently in Grand Rapids, the numbers DON'T work. 

    Why?

    Many will hate this, but it's because the rates people are willing to pay for 'Class A' or 'business hotel room' or 'downtown apartment' in West Michigan do not support larger scale projects. 

    Want 40 stories? Then be prepared to pay $35/ft for office. Be prepared for $350/night rooms. Be prepared for $1,500 for a small apartment. 

    Construction costs are up significantly in the past 10 years. Consumer pricing expectations have not risen accordingly.

    • Like 3

  9. New projects on the West Side

    in Grand Rapids

    Posted · Edited by localtalent

    Last I saw on that site was approval on plans from the city. They’ve had engineer types poking around over there as recently as last week.

    I've heard nothing of the deal falling through.

    In fact, pretty sure there was a sale of the parcel a while back (from Walt to North Peak folks). 

    Maybe that was all premature and it never closed?

    EDIT - per city, it closed last March for $950,000. Pretty sure plans didn't fall through...

    • Like 2

  15. Amazon looking to build in GR metro

    in Grand Rapids

    Posted

    On 1/19/2018 at 9:40 AM, scottythe1nonly said:


    Michigan is failing because the State has the worst gerrymander in the country.  And the primary voters who elect all of our state government are anti transit, anti public education, anti LGBTQ, etc.  There is something deeply wrong with a city like GR when even renewing a paltry budget for basic bus service becomes an anti government ideological fight.

    While there are some things going for Michigan it has shifted politically over the past 2 decades to be more like States like Mississippi or Arkansas.  Even states like North Carolina are doing a better job in their cities with development and infrastructure.  

    I thought i'd be more sad to be leaving, but honestly I won't miss this backwards minded nonsense one bit.  In three weeks I'll be taking the subway to work and I won't need a car anymore.  

     

    If you think GR or Michigan has issues (what area doesn't?), wait til you see the DC area.

    In DC, yes you have transit...and ridiculously high housing costs, and gentrification, and poor schools, and high violent crime, and high taxes.

    GR has issues, no doubt. But I've witnessed that it is, in general, a community sincerely concerned about solving those issues.

    Sounds like you just want mass transit. Enjoy.

    • Like 1

  17. RFP - 201 Market

    in Grand Rapids

    Posted

    3 hours ago, GR_Urbanist said:

    Look for a nit-pick, and I really cant find one. We even have a large building to the south that wasn't visible in the original leaked rendering!

     

    I'm not remotely concerned about the river access. It is as good as it honestly should be. The Grand River simply isnt a place for a marina. Its levels are not consistent enough to devote money to building one right now.

    It must be the merriest season of the year.

    I don’t generally find myself in alignment with your perspective (though I respect the consistency and knowledge you share).

    I was also ready to go full guns against some out of state interloper who tried to tell us what we needed when perfectly capable developers have been pulling us along for a decade and deserve preference for such a significant opportunity.

    But, just like you, I’m having a hard time coming up with a complaint with this plan.

    And it’s clearly the winner from what we’ve seen so far.

     

    • Like 4

  23. New projects on the West Side

    in Grand Rapids

    Posted

    1 hour ago, joeDowntown said:

    Is it possible that Jolly Pumpkin will be a temporary location until this development is complete (I love Jolly Pumpkin beer. And if you haven't been to their Old Mission location, you need to visit if you are up in Traverse)? Think they'd move across the street if/when this development is complete? 

    Bridge will still be a pretty impressive mix of breweries and distilleries if speculation is true. As for the local aspect, Long Road and Harmony are homegrown. I still think it definitely bolsters our Beer City moniker. :)

    Joe

     

    My understanding is that significant investment is going into the Black Heron location for Jolly Pumpkin and that will be their permanent spot.

    • Like 3

  25. New projects on the West Side

    in Grand Rapids

    Posted

    Got a postcard for public hearing notice:

    '449, 453, 457 & 499 Bridge St NW
    Greg Lobdell is requesting approval for outdoor seating, live entertainment, and a bar within a proposed 5-story mixed-use building.'

    Greg is Northern United Brewing Company (Jolly Pumpkin, among others). The site is Red Lion. 

    Commence speculation!

    • Like 2
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