The Grand River?! You mean GR has a River?

[discgrab21]

2 hours ago, x99 said:

Anyhow, that's sort of an side.  If the "necessary" downtown amenities arrive that will allow for a true "downtown" experience, I will be far less skeptical about the downtown building boom.  As I see it though, downtown hasn't advanced much on its "livability" metrics since the last boom.  Sure, my commute to work or the isolated event at the Arena is short, but my commute everywhere else is awful.  For this boom to be sustainable over the long term, that need to change.  Lots of chickens, but still no eggs, so to speak (as I've suggested before, leasing Downtown Market to Whole Foods for a $1 a foot would be a GENIUS way to keep this all going in high gear).  

I think you are overstating how inconvenient it is to hop in the car to get to mejier from downtown.  From Rosa Parks Circle to Meijer on Alpine, it is 10 minutes.  12 minutes to Knapp's Corner.  For people living downtown the draw is being close to restaurants and bars.  Possibly working downtown as well, but of course many work in the burbs.  Those are both faster/easier commutes to get groceries than for me to get downtown from my suburban house, and that is only a once or twice/week occurrence .

[EastownLeo]

1 hour ago, GR8scott said:

 

Why Not a nice Round-a-bout?

[ironyisadeadscene]

Slightly off topic, but every time I check this site on my phone, it leads me to spam websites, some being very graphic. Anyone else having these issues?

[jas49503]

4 hours ago, ironyisadeadscene said:

Slightly off topic, but every time I check this site on my phone, it leads me to spam websites, some being very graphic. Anyone else having these issues?

this happened to me about an hour ago. I was sort of surprised that such a website would be advertising on the site although I don't really know how I activated it as I was scrolling quickly down the page when it popped up.

[ironyisadeadscene]

38 minutes ago, jas49503 said:

this happened to me about an hour ago. I was sort of surprised that such a website would be advertising on the site although I don't really know how I activated it as I was scrolling quickly down the page when it popped up.

Yeah, I was pretty shocked when a very graphic pornography page popped up. 

[joeDowntown]

Neo, the site owner has been fighting this for a few days. Rest assured, he doesn't like popup ads, let alone questionable ads. It sounds like someone has gone rogue in the ad network and he was able to fix it before. Maybe they shifted tactics and got back in?  Either way, he is aware. Thanks for letting us know. I got one as well (mobile only). 

Joe

[Chester Cheeto]

So while digging through the DDA file that was linked in the Studio C! chat, I noticed that the Lyon square redevelopment along the Grand River was also on the agenda.  Here is just one page of the many that shows what is being proposed.  This seems pretty ambitious but would be fantastic if done close to the renderings.

Page 1 of DDA skeleton.pdf

[discgrab21]

Founders is releasing a one-off Michigan only Pale Ale called "Palm Reader."  All proceeds will support the Grand Rapids Whitewater fundraiser "Tribute on the Grand" on September 10.  Founders will also be doing a beer dinner on Gillette Bridge.  Pretty cool.

 

http://foundersbrewing.com/latest-news/2016/introducing-michigan-only-release-palm-reader/

Edited May 12, 2016 by discgrab21

[mpchicago]

32 minutes ago, discgrab21 said:

Founders is releasing a on-off Michigan only Pale Ale called "Palm Reader."  All proceeds will support the Grand Rapids Whitewater fundraiser "Tribute on the Grand" on September 10.  Founders will also be doing a beer dinner on Gillette Bridge.  Pretty cool.

 

http://foundersbrewing.com/latest-news/2016/introducing-michigan-only-release-palm-reader/

Yes, I saw that, and that's great news!   Has anyone else notice the transformation of Dave Engbers?  From the appearance of straight laced nerd, to hippie.   I love it!

[thebeerqueer]

40 minutes ago, mpchicago said:

Yes, I saw that, and that's great news!   Has anyone else notice the transformation of Dave Engbers?  From the appearance of straight laced nerd, to hippie.   I love it!

He's such a chill guy and has definitely trended towards hippie/granola. Its good to see that even while Founders is growing by leaps and bounds that they're still a little down to earth. 

[mpchicago]

I know Grand Rapids riverfront is very different from Chicago's, and you really can't compare them, but the idea is Chicago and Grand Rapids are trying to make their respective river's more accessible.  I snapped some pics today showing what Chicago has done in the last few years.  They have basically extended the river walk from Michigan Ave all the way to Lake Street along Wacker Drive.  Phase 3 to Lake St under construction now.  Lots of places to sit, eat, shop or even moor your boat.  You literally could fall into the river they way they designed this.  Can't wait to see how it all goes down in GR.

 

 

 

 

Edited May 16, 2016 by mpchicago

[GRDadof3]

4 hours ago, mpchicago said:

I know Grand Rapids riverfront is very different from Chicago's, and you really can't compare them, but the idea is Chicago and Grand Rapids are trying to make their respective river's more accessible.  I snapped some pics today showing what Chicago has done in the last few years.  They have basically extended the river walk from Michigan Ave all the way to Lake Street along Wacker Drive.  Phase 3 to Lake St under construction now.  Lots of places to sit, eat, shop or even moor your boat.  You literally could fall into the river they way they designed this.  Can't wait to see how it all goes down in GR.

 

 

 

 

Walked that section last Summer, very cool. Kayakers were pulling right up to the steps and getting off (their kayaks)

[EastownLeo]

One advantage of a standard water height, you don't have to fear of constant flooding.  The Locks and reversal of the river flow helped this.

If the shores of the Grand River never were in fear of flooding, we would probably see more building up to it rather than massive walls to control it.

[mpchicago]

3 hours ago, EastownLeo said:

One advantage of a standard water height, you don't have to fear of constant flooding.  The Locks and reversal of the river flow helped this.

If the shores of the Grand River never were in fear of flooding, we would probably see more building up to it rather than massive walls to control it.

The design goals of the Grand River plan (GRForward) are to do away with much of the flood walls in the downtown area, by offering gradual access to the river so that you can in fact interact with the river, much like in Chicago. This would still maintain the flood protection, but offer the access.  A good example of this is the Lyon Square design.

I wonder, will the platforms depicted at river level be removable, or do they have a way to keep them in place with minimal damage from changes in river height and ice flow?

 

Edited May 17, 2016 by mpchicago

[Allison Slater]

Would still be nice to incorporate some floating walkways, kept in place by piers.  I've seen them before but can't remember where.

[WMrapids]

Construction on flood wall improvements begins this year.

http://fox17online.com/2016/05/26/construction-to-improve-grand-river-flood-protection-starting-this-summer/

[GRDadof3]

The JW is doing upgrades to their patio bar. Not sure what all is entailed. I never did like that blue canopy they have coming off the building, looks like a cheap tack-on. 

[GRDadof3]

On 1/23/2016 at 0:36 PM, joeDowntown said:

More on the plans by the Woda group. The renderings look a lot different (meh) but it looks like they may be following the plans set by GR Forward / the rapids restoration. 

http://www.mlive.com/business/west-michigan/index.ssf/2016/01/developer_plans_12m_affordable.html#incart_river_mobile_home

Joe

This project is in for permits at the city. 64 units (4 story apt building and 4 townhouse buildings). 

[WMrapids]

GRWW posted on Facebook part of the tear down of the dam in Lyons.

http://www.mlive.com/business/west-michigan/index.ssf/2016/07/160-year-old_dam_comes_down_on.html#incart_river_home

[GR8scott]

Just noticed from these older drawings, it includes navigable water out to Lake Michigan. That really hasn't been a huge topic of discussion but I think that would be huge for GR and being able to exploit that for recreational and even commercial use would be awesome! Does anyone know if there are any serious consideration for that?

 

 

Also they are doing some work to the south I hope they can incorporate something as an aesthetic upgrade 

 

http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2016/08/grand_river_floodwall_to_get_a.html

 

 

 

Edited August 24, 2016 by GR8scott
add link

[WMrapids]

On July 20, 2015 at 3:47 PM, GRDadof3 said:

Another $30 million river restoration project?

http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2015/07/another_30_million_grand_river.html?ath=1a90132b90933db8002100e5723c045a

We talked about it awhile back. Terri Land's husband wanted a study done on dredging it. Also talked about building a marina across from Johnson Park.

[joeDowntown]

14 hours ago, GR8scott said:

http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2016/08/grand_river_floodwall_to_get_a.html

 

 

 

In reading this article, they are raising the flood walls anywhere from 2" to 39". Anyone know if this is going to be done in accordance with what they are ultimately trying to do with the river (stepped flood walls, etc). Or is this like a fix it now to be in compliance, then go back and change it in a few years? Just wondering.

Joe

[GRDadof3]

On 8/25/2016 at 9:35 AM, joeDowntown said:

In reading this article, they are raising the flood walls anywhere from 2" to 39". Anyone know if this is going to be done in accordance with what they are ultimately trying to do with the river (stepped flood walls, etc). Or is this like a fix it now to be in compliance, then go back and change it in a few years? Just wondering.

Joe

Sounds like a mixture of both. Some of the areas where the city has targeted for stepped floodwalls do not appear to be on this phase of floodwall work.

 up to 39 inches to the wall on the west side of the river south of Wealthy Street
• up to 27 inches to the flood berm on the east side of the river north of Wealthy,where the city is marketing property for redevelopment
• up to 18 inches to the flood berm in front of the Van Andel Museum Center and Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum
• up to 16 inches to wall and berm on the east side of the river north of I-196, near the Sixth Street Dam
• up to 7 inches to the wall on the west side of the river south of Fulton Street

[GRDadof3]

On 1/19/2016 at 1:45 PM, GRDadof3 said:

 

Says "breaking news" in the GRBJ today but not really breaking. I think Woda Group has finally closed on the land. 

http://www.grbj.com/articles/84310-developer-plans-12m-residential-complex-on-riverfront

These were the drawings from back in 013. 

 

http://www.rapidgrowthmedia.com/devnews/GrandViewPlace0131.aspx

 

Despite being income restricted LIHTC apartments, I think they will enhance the look of the riverfront. Thoughts? 

I thought the WODA Group was just clearing land but they already have foundations going in.

 

 

[GRDadof3]

I thought maybe there was a thread for the DDA's expanded boundaries, but couldn't find it so I'll post this here.

Is anyone else getting frustrated/fatigued by the proposed parks or greenspaces downtown that never happen? I know the DDA likes to plan out for years in advance but all of these seem to change or overlap or never happen. Now they're talking about an "Interchange Park" under the 131/196 overpass and a switchback park to go up the hill to Belknap. 

http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2016/12/5_grand_rapids_public_spaces_t.html#0