francishsu

The lines get a bit blurred when you consider restaurants like Culver's and Steak and Shake, which typically do have drive throughs. I think there's even the term "fast casual". Some things that might distinguish a fast casual from fast food would be if they brought the food to you, if their drive through usage was much lower than a typical fast food, more limited open hours, etc. The attorney for KFC was claiming their drive through only accounted for 35% of their business vs. 70%+ for McDonald's. And that their hours would be more limited. But the argument of whether it should be perceived as fast food restaurant was largely irrelevant, because the particular zoning for that property does not allow a drive through for any food establishment. So a Culver's would not even be allowed. I don't think that pick up service (where they bring the food to your car) like you see with Applebee's, etc. would be allowed even. And I don't think that Wyoming has ever granted a variance for a drive through for that zoning code (B1 neighborhood business, a very common one). So I'd think the lawsuit has no merit. Maybe they'll argue that the B1 zoning is unfair to prohibit drive throughs for only food service businesses (pharmacies, banks, etc. are allowed in B1). And they'll probably argue that the zoning no longer makes sense for the location, due to the large number of businesses in close proximity, most of which are under a different zoning. The Wendy's on the NE corner of the intersection is in a B-2; Monelli's, Beaner's and Starbucks are in PUD zonings, etc. I'm not sure if they asked for a rezoning, though.

At the ZBA meeting, the attorney for KFC argued that KFC was not a fast food restaurant.

The wheels of change turn slowly... a few updates. KFC site plan (not in the village itself, so a little OT) was denied by the Planning Commission due to the drive through window. Their appeal was denied by the Zoning Board of Appeals. I read some reference that KFC has initiated a lawsuit against the ZBA. Macatawa Bank and Bank of Holland are the next tenants to announce. Don't know where they'll locate, but the village master plan shows three likely locations for banks. Hyatt Place is under construction. A medical building across from Frog Hollow looks like it's nearing completion. I think it's the cancer treatment center. I think that the construction of the ITT Tech Institute is starting at the SE end (past Frog Hollow). Olivia's Gift may build a facility for developmentally disabled children and adults between Hyatt Place and Frog Hollow (specifically at the site labeled as Respite Care on the master plan), but they need to raise $1.3 million first. Lastest Southwest Advance article discussing some recent developments and challenges for attracting tentants.

Sounds like the Market Ave. route is all about spurring development on the riverfront and lure a buyer for that public works riverfront parcel.

A couple of not-so-great (IMO of course) developments on the horizon. First ITT Technical Institute is looking to relocate their Kentwood campus to Metro Health Village. This would be a 30000 sq ft. building along the same street as the Frog Hollow playground (I'm guessing further down the road). On the other size of Byron center (not in MHV), KFC and possibly McDonald's are looking at the lots next to the CVS. It'll be interesting to see what happens here, since the zoning does not allow drive-through windows. I'm sure they'll take that to the zoning board of appeals. Southwest Advance: Two new tenants vie for space around Metro Health Village

Granger Group's updated their brochure. Here's the new site plan: The location of the second hotel is revealed. I can't believe there's going to be three banks in addition to the Huntington and Mercantile.

I would say that my reaction at the tour was overall positive, but with some disappointment. Part of the problem was that the only hospital that I'm somewhat familiar with is Spectrum Butterworth. And if I look at it solely in comparison with Spectrum, my first impression is hype but questionable substance. I was actually a bit disappointed with the ER with the small triage area, and wondered about their capabilities to handle trauma cases. I did like the appearance inside and out. It felt like a place where I would feel at ease as a patient or visitor. And the layout from the individual rooms to the overall floor plan seemed to reflect extensive thought and planning. The rehab/pt area was impressive. I would have liked to tour other parts of the hospital. I was very surprised by the turnout as well. They got around 10000 visitors each of the first two days of the open house and I had to wait in line outside for about 10 minutes.

Open House is Sept. 10-12 in case anyone's interested. According to the Wyoming Advance, a second hotel is planned in center of the village. That surprises me. They also mention a "major restaurant". The first retail building near the hospital that's almost finished apparently will house a pharmacy, hearing services and medical supply company. Spartan's considering putting a D&W along Gezon. But I don't know where exactly they are thinking. Perhaps close to the YMCA? Wyoming Advance: Countdown to a new Metro hospital, village begins

They're created a new website to highlight the project. http://better.metrohealth.net/ Updated site plan Somewhat recent arial photo:

That would be consistent with what was discussed at the March Planning Commission meeting. As a general update, it looks like there's another building going up a ways in front of the hospital. I don't know what it is. And they've put in the street lamps for the streets in the center "village" area.

It doesn't seem like there would be a demand for another hotel at M-6 and Byron Center. You have MHV and some businesses/industrial along Gezon to the east. That's about it for the area. Maybe one will go up around M-6 and Wilson someday, depending on how things develop along Wilson Ave. Byron Township is trying to plan a village center around Wilson just south of M-6, and you're going to see office and/or commercial develop along Wilson north of the highway.

Cool.. looks like you've added a floor and more rooms since the March Planning Commission meeting.

I was hoping it would be a Hyatt Place. How did you come across this information?

The streets for the retail village part are paved now. Updated construction photos...

Is DEMU less costly to build than DMU? In the GT2 study, did they not estimate the capital and operating cost of DMUs along existing rail lines to be on par with LRT, and at the same time estimate ridership of DMUs to be less than half? I've been supportive of the idea of utilizing existing rail lines (or building next to) for passenger lines, but the GT2 figures conflicted with my speculation that building transit along Norfolk/CSX would be less costly.

The difference is that it's going to be the first one built by Spartan Stores, I believe. Also, I thought it was closer to a formal announcement rather than vague rumor and was reported on both televised news and the GR Press last year.

I believe the 50000 sq. ft. "Food Store" as shown on the site plan is going to be a new D&W.

Just read the Downtown Development Authority minutes from their most recent meeting, which basically confirms that the hotel is going to be a Hyatt brand.

I didn't catch this before, but The Granger Group updated their promo materials for MHV. http://www.thegrangergroup.com/downloads/M...althVillage.pdf It does reveal some additional details like the specific location of the hotel, some sort of clock tower building and that the buildings proposed for the south (i.e. near the hotel) will be primarly restaurants. Also, they propose a couple of restaurants at the corners of the pond at the "Main Street" entrance. They've also introduced the website http://www.merchantsatmetrovillage.com/ which currently has little information.

This building under construction is just east of the first office building posted by golscorer4 And here's another building under construction just east of the one above Next to the hospital... And I might as well include the recently opened St. Mary's southwest campus near MHV:

Good catch. The AmeriSuites are being converted to the newer Hyatt Place hotels. A Hyatt Place would be great. Also nice to read that it's going to be a 5-story hotel.

Do you have any additional info? Is it Hyatt?

Well Hyatt has a number of different brands, and I expect that it wouldn't be a Hyatt Regency or above. It could be a Hawthorn Suites, for instance. Also, the mention of Hyatt in those meeting minutes in a Park and Recreation Commission meeting is strange to me.

Looks like the hospital construction will be completed around June, with the opening planned for September, according to the latest Wyoming advance: Opening on the horizon for new Metro Health Hospital In the meeting minutes for the Parks and Recreation Commission, there was an interesting note hinting that Hyatt may be planning to build a hotel near the Frog Hollow playground.

It's going to be interesting to see how the retail part of the village is going to develop vs. the retail area that's growing rather quickly on the other side of Byron Center. The retail area across Byron Center will soon have 5 restaurants, a coffee shop, organic food store, pharmacy and bank.. types of retail I would expect to see in MHV (which currently only has a coffee shop).