Proposed Downtown Amphitheater

[Cookin_peacocks]

2 hours ago, Zads said:

I don't know if this goes in this particular thread, but the opening of this new Road Commission location frees up the Scribner spot to move things for the city of GR to move from the amphitheater site to the Scribner site.

https://www.woodtv.com/news/kent-county/kent-county-road-commission-cuts-ribbon-on-new-central-complex/

Theres a ton of hoops this project has to jump through, but I feel like at some point, the physical domino's of the project have to start falling. 

 

I guess keep an eye on the old road commission site and see if they start clearing it.

[joeDowntown]

Sounds like a Spring 2024 groundbreaking for the amphitheater is the goal (with active construction while the city is moving to its new facility on Scribner). Also, lead donor will be announced in September, and the CAA is taking a more "active" role in both the amphitheater and soccer stadium(!). Will be interesting to see how it goes. AND, Birgit Klohs is involved with the CAA committee. She gets sh*t done, so it's all encouraging!

Joe

[Zads]

Welcome to the Acrisure Amphiteater

https://www.crainsgrandrapids.com/news/arts-entertainment/acrisure-secures-grand-rapids-amphitheater-naming-rights-with-30m-donation/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&utm_term=crain's+grand+rapids+business&utm_content=4c5fbdfa-eb0b-4bdb-b3d0-b3d6dc3d76e8

[RiversideGR]

13 minutes ago, Zads said:

Welcome to the Acrisure Amphiteater

https://www.crainsgrandrapids.com/news/arts-entertainment/acrisure-secures-grand-rapids-amphitheater-naming-rights-with-30m-donation/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&utm_term=crain's+grand+rapids+business&utm_content=4c5fbdfa-eb0b-4bdb-b3d0-b3d6dc3d76e8

I'm just happy it isn't Amway...$30m isn't chump change either.

[joeDowntown]

That's impressive. And glad to see some new companies stepping up. I thought there'd be a good chance Acrisure secured naming rights (they have the naming rights to the Steelers stadium, and recently bought the naming rights for a venue out in Palm Desert). $30M should definitely help push this project along!

Joe

[Zads]

Looks like a bill is coming that will help cities with funding projects like this in the future . 

https://www.crainsgrandrapids.com/news/economic-development/bill-would-allow-cities-to-levy-lodging-taxes-for-convention-entertainment-facilities/

[Jonesey]

I was a little concerned that the city would hold this up by being the city and taking forever to vacate the Market property until the Scribner property was ready, but the City Commission passed a resolution that they would be using temporary offices

[Pattmost20]

Word on the street is that two 20+ story towers are going to be built on the amphitheater site. One an apartment/condo tower. The other a well know, music themed hotel brand. 

[MJLO]

7 hours ago, Pattmost20 said:

Word on the street is that two 20+ story towers are going to be built on the amphitheater site. One an apartment/condo tower. The other a well know, music themed hotel brand. 

Ugh these teasers lol.

[joeDowntown]

Does that mean we’ll get a giant guitar shaped building? It would go great with our giant, ugly castle down the road.

have to imagine that lot fits more than 2 buildings. Wonder what else will be announced in the near future?

Joe

[cstonesparty]

9 hours ago, Pattmost20 said:

Word on the street is that two 20+ story towers are going to be built on the amphitheater site. One an apartment/condo tower. The other a well know, music themed hotel brand. 

Any rumors of casino with that hotel?  I've been wondering when that concept will raise it's head again...

[Chester Cheeto]

2 minutes ago, cstonesparty said:

Any rumors of casino with that hotel?  I've been wondering when that concept will raise it's head again...

Was just about to ask that same question, that would certainly help fill that lot out.

[Zads]

9 hours ago, Pattmost20 said:

Word on the street is that two 20+ story towers are going to be built on the amphitheater site. One an apartment/condo tower. The other a well know, music themed hotel brand. 

Ok, this is a fun rumor. The apartment/condo tower to me is much more significant than a hotel, but that is also quite exciting.

Are we talking like on the amphitheater site or the site that's on Fulton and Market/Monroe? I would think if it's the amphitheater site, it's south of the project, more toward Wealthy than 131. 

[Pattmost20]

2 hours ago, cstonesparty said:

Any rumors of casino with that hotel?  I've been wondering when that concept will raise it's head again...

Not that I've heard of. 

2 hours ago, Zads said:

Ok, this is a fun rumor. The apartment/condo tower to me is much more significant than a hotel, but that is also quite exciting.

Are we talking like on the amphitheater site or the site that's on Fulton and Market/Monroe? I would think if it's the amphitheater site, it's south of the project, more toward Wealthy than 131. 

Amphitheater site, but I don't know specifics on location within the site. 

[HavingAhoot]

I'd love that music themed hotel brand to be Virgin Hotels over Hard Rock. I've been to Vegas and Chicago both great!

[joeDowntown]

32 minutes ago, HavingAhoot said:

I'd love that music themed hotel brand to be Virgin Hotels over Hard Rock. I've been to Vegas and Chicago both great!

That would be great. We've stayed at the Virgin Hotel in Chicago a couple of times and it's a really nice chain. I don't really think of it as a music hotel though? But I do think it would be better than a Hard Rock (though I haven't been to a Hard Rock in a long time, so maybe they've changed?).

Joe

[Prankster]

I know it’s a stretch (in regards to music), but Margaritaville Hotels are very nice. Just got back from staying at one in Gatlinburg. 

[HavingAhoot]

Its a stretch I know but the Vegas one had band playing at a venue in the hotel. Plus Richard Branson owning Virgin Records.  More of a hopeful wish. I also have not stayed or been to a Hard Rock Café or Hotel since a kid in the 90s.

[Jonesey]

Please not a giant guitar!  I don't think Grand Action 2.0 would allow a casino there.  Hasn't the one out by Muskegon been in litigation for a decade or two now?  Gun Lake would definitely try to kill it too.  Do casinos in downtowns ever actually attract tourists to the area?  The casinos in Detroit are pretty depressing.

A hotel overlooking the amphitheater with massive balconies and outdoor spaces would be pretty sweet, they could charge a premium on show nights too.

If it's a hotel and condo it would make me think Acrisure, might be interest in the market/fulton lot.  They've said they want to have a big impact on downtown development and growth.  Was this where they were doing soil testing?

[Cookin_peacocks]

3 hours ago, Jonesey said:

Please not a giant guitar!  I don't think Grand Action 2.0 would allow a casino there.  Hasn't the one out by Muskegon been in litigation for a decade or two now?  Gun Lake would definitely try to kill it too.  Do casinos in downtowns ever actually attract tourists to the area?  The casinos in Detroit are pretty depressing.

A hotel overlooking the amphitheater with massive balconies and outdoor spaces would be pretty sweet, they could charge a premium on show nights too.

If it's a hotel and condo it would make me think Acrisure, might be interest in the market/fulton lot.  They've said they want to have a big impact on downtown development and growth.  Was this where they were doing soil testing?

I had an idea for a hotel that overlooks the amphitheatre, sort of like the SkyDome in Toronto. So if this is real, I'm a freaking urban planning genius and developers should ask me for opinions.

[Cookin_peacocks]

Hey everyone. I guess there is a hearing tonight about developments and some NIMBYS about this project are trying to gain traction and potentially derail this project. 

I don't think it's in serious danger, but if you can go and want to voice your opinion on the project, go for it!

 

[RiversideGR]

3 hours ago, Cookin_peacocks said:

Hey everyone. I guess there is a hearing tonight about developments and some NIMBYS about this project are trying to gain traction and potentially derail this project. 

I don't think it's in serious danger, but if you can go and want to voice your opinion on the project, go for it!

 

If this was so important to them, why wait to get involved now? it's been public knowledge for about 2 years. This train has left the station, folks. 

[joeDowntown]

I think they main concern is noise pollution in Heartside and neighborhoods across the river. I'm hoping the sound engineers can present some good facts about the level of noise and calm fears. Also, it'll be used mainly from 7-10:30(?) in the summer (and the band may end at 10, people milling around probably aren't nearly as loud from a decibal prespective). I'd think US131 generate much more noise (24/7) than the amphitheater will.

And hey, free concert!

Joe

[Cookin_peacocks]

57 minutes ago, joeDowntown said:

I think they main concern is noise pollution in Heartside and neighborhoods across the river. I'm hoping the sound engineers can present some good facts about the level of noise and calm fears. Also, it'll be used mainly from 7-10:30(?) in the summer (and the band may end at 10, people milling around probably aren't nearly as loud from a decibal prespective). I'd think US131 generate much more noise (24/7) than the amphitheater will.

And hey, free concert!

Joe

So I saw a post on Reddit of a person who lives in a condo downtown that has people in their building trying to essentially block or slow down the amphitheatre project. This was confirmed to me and has even grown to those residents going to nearby buildings to get them to try to join their fight. 

 

Again, it's a handful of people, but they're really trying to throw a wrench into this. 

 

Besides, there are going to be more buildings straight up being built in between their building and the amphitheatre. It's going to be a non factor.

[Zads]

13 hours ago, Cookin_peacocks said:

So I saw a post on Reddit of a person who lives in a condo downtown that has people in their building trying to essentially block or slow down the amphitheatre project. This was confirmed to me and has even grown to those residents going to nearby buildings to get them to try to join their fight. 

 

Again, it's a handful of people, but they're really trying to throw a wrench into this. 

 

Besides, there are going to be more buildings straight up being built in between their building and the amphitheatre. It's going to be a non factor.

If you buy or rent in a lively part of a mid-major city in the United States, expect to hear noise. Now, I'm sure an amphitheater was not something they expected and that would probably worry me as well in terms of late night loud noises from music and crowds, but again, you chose to live in the downtown of a city. Noise is likely expected.