Massive Riverfront Project

[MJLO]

ok I get the riverboat casino Idea, but is the Grand River Deep enough to hold something like that downtown?

[GRDadof3]

For $2 billion, you could dig to China Maybe Wolverine discovered oil deposits there. J/K

[Rizzo]

I blieve it gets pretty deep down bast Fulton. Wasn't there a study somewhere that said the riverbed is extreamly polluted?

Wow I almost forgot about our Oil Man, I wonder if he plans on donating a skyscaper?

[GaryP]

ok I get the riverboat casino Idea, but is the Grand River Deep enough to hold something like that downtown?

I don't think those flat boats sit too deep in the water. If it isn't deep enough, cross the idea off the list because there is no way we are going to dredge that part of the river.

[snoogit]

Rizzo, I would say I get that request once a tour. I tell you what though our Dept. gets a lot of bad press but you couldn't ask for a more professional department. Everyday I go to work I'm proud to wear the uniform.

Seems like every Police Dept. gets bad press though. Its sad too, because I have nothing but respect for Law Enforcement.

[hombre_de_ciudad]

After all this speculating I'm going to be deflated like a popped balloon if all this buzz is about a casino. There are those who would fight against that for all they're worth -- adding years to the approval process and millions to the costs.

I know that some on the Grand Action committee and others who have given and invested all the private money to rebuild downtown over the past decade would cringe at the thought. Personally, I detest casinos and the role they play in destroying people and families. I'm no prude, but have personally witnessed the destructive influence of gambling on those with addictive personalities and their families.

I completely agree, and I just can't see a casino happening. There would be way to much legal and political opposition. Besides, there are far better things to hope for that would both enhance the city's reputation and quality of life and bring jobs to the community.

[blueman459]

Back on topic... I'd be curious if this does go through where the city is going to move all these departments. Anyone here know if the city owns any property in the d.t area that could house this?

[HolidayInnExpress]

I also think that this will be a phased project (even if it is not a casino/entertainment complex) and total investment and employment opportunity represents the completion of all phases.

I have not heard anyone in the KNOW, from the articles; say they were excited about the proposal. If they can qualify the project as huge and not be sued one would think that they could state their emotions about the project, but I don

[snoogit]

I completely agree, and I just can't see a casino happening. There would be way to much legal and political opposition. Besides, there are far better things to hope for that would both enhance the city's reputation and quality of life and bring jobs to the community.

for billions of dollars, and 10,000 or so jobs, it has to be more then a super casino on the Riverfront.

10,000 jobs though sounds like it has to be an entire corporate relocation. If that many jobs is true and its one company, that makes that one company the second largest employer in the city!

[torgo]

blueman, I think the City owns some land north of 196 along the river, or maybe they'd move it up to Monroe/Leonard? I got nuthin...

[GaryP]

for billions of dollars, and 10,000 or so jobs, it has to be more then a super casino on the Riverfront.

10,000 jobs though sounds like it has to be an entire corporate relocation. If that many jobs is true and its one company, that makes that one company the second largest employer in the city!

Maybe its Toyota North America

[OFU]

ok I get the riverboat casino Idea, but is the Grand River Deep enough to hold something like that downtown?

All conjecture - would a casino complex have to be on the water? If I recall correctly, some pretty interesting archeological finds were discovered during S-curve work a few years ago. What if the Bureau of Indian Affairs deeded the riverfront property back to the Native Americans that inhabited this area. If national big hitters are involved, that would be a lot for the no-casino groups to overcome. Think "Foxwoods"

[snoogit]

Maybe its Toyota North America

Possible, I mean a building to hold 10,000 people has to be HUGE! I imagine its going to have some height. even at 30 acres your probably looking at what 500-750 people per floor max? my guess is if its a main office building it wont take up the whole 30 acres in one large building. so im thinking maybe 350 per floor average?

Maybe im dreaming too much, but im thinking this could rise 30-40 stories. or maybe 2 20 story towers? who knows.

[GaryP]

Possible, I mean a building to hold 10,000 people has to be HUGE! I imagine its going to have some height. even at 30 acres your probably looking at what 500-750 people per floor max? my guess is if its a main office building it wont take up the whole 30 acres in one large building. so im thinking maybe 350 per floor average?

Maybe im dreaming too much, but im thinking this could rise 30-40 stories.

In office space people usually take around 250 sf/person. so if it were only office space we would only need 2.5 Million square feet of space. Now, lets say this is 20 stories, which means we have 125,000 sf/floor. In a square building each side of the building would be around 350 feet. Thats about the size of a smaller city block. Toyota would have enough land for office buildings and lab space which oftne times needs a lot more room.

[snoogit]

In office space people usually take around 250 sf/person. so if it were only office space we would only need 2.5 Million square feet of space. Now, lets say this is 20 stories, which means we have 125,000 sf/floor. In a square building each side of the building would be around 350 feet. Thats about the size of a smaller city block. Toyota would have enough land for office buildings and lab space which oftne times needs a lot more room.

i could see 5000 in the office and 5000 in the research facilities. Your probably looking at the research lab taking up most of the 19 stories on the river front, and offices/parking using the remaining space.

[Rizzo]

This better come with renderings and layouts... Maybe I should do some renderings, wait nevermind.

I can't believe there is 23 users on this thread... My god.

[GaryP]

i could see 5000 in the office and 5000 in the research facilities. Your probably looking at the research lab taking up most of the 19 stories on the river front, and offices/parking using the remaining space.

That works for me. We could still probably have room for a residential and a hotel highrise as well

[snoogit]

That works for me. We could still probably have room for a residential and a hotel highrise as well

Maybe? I know its not much, but 5k in a reasearch lab would take a lot of room I would think. when I said stories, I meant acres

[albertaresident]

That works for me. We could still probably have room for a residential and a hotel highrise as well

I'm a former GR native and happen to live in Alberta, Canada. You guys are talking up to 5,000 people in two 20 story towers? Encana, the largest natural gas producer in North America is building a new headquarters in downtown Calgary, about 2 hours from where I live. They are moving only 3,200 employees to this site, but their new complex is expected to be one 60+ story tower and one 35+ story tower. If this is indeed a move a major corporation to downtown GR, we can expect something much larger than twin 20 story towers, I think.

[snoogit]

I'm a former GR native and happen to live in Alberta, Canada. You guys are talking up to 5,000 people in two 20 story towers? Encana, the largest natural gas producer in North America is building a new headquarters in downtown Calgary, about 2 hours from where I live. They are moving only 3,200 employees to this site, but their new complex is expected to be one 60+ story tower and one 35+ story tower. If this is indeed a move a major corporation to downtown GR, we can expect something much larger than twin 20 story towers, I think.

I would think your right, but we are going on 100% capacity of the company for those two 20 story towers.

It is entirely likely if its a 5,000 person office that doesnt mind sharing a building with others that this reaches a much higher stature.

Its nice to see someone who trekked from GR to alberta, Ive been there a few times, in Calgary and Edmonton both, and throughly enjoyed it.

[Rizzo]

"The real estate company representing the developer says more details should be made public in 30 to 45 days.

"The only thing we heard is there is a company looking to locate on this property around us," says Custer. "We're excited for the possibility of them moving here. I just wish I knew more.""

--www.WZZM13.com

[snoogit]

waiting is so hard to do.

[GaryP]

I'm a former GR native and happen to live in Alberta, Canada. You guys are talking up to 5,000 people in two 20 story towers? Encana, the largest natural gas producer in North America is building a new headquarters in downtown Calgary, about 2 hours from where I live. They are moving only 3,200 employees to this site, but their new complex is expected to be one 60+ story tower and one 35+ story tower. If this is indeed a move a major corporation to downtown GR, we can expect something much larger than twin 20 story towers, I think.

What size is the floor plan and what else besides office use is going on in the project? In a large company HQ it's probably safe to assume a that there will be quite a few people with offices larger than 250 sf and HQ's sometimes have a good bit of common space. My estimate may be on the low side, but what you've posted doesn't sound right at all unless it's a skinny building.

[Time]

In office space people usually take around 250 sf/person. so if it were only office space we would only need 2.5 Million square feet of space. Now, lets say this is 20 stories, which means we have 125,000 sf/floor. In a square building each side of the building would be around 350 feet. Thats about the size of a smaller city block. Toyota would have enough land for office buildings and lab space which oftne times needs a lot more room.

Don't forget about their amusment park, ToyotaWorld

[torgo]

From WOOD Radio:

The big development project just south the downtown, along the river, that you first heard about here on NewsRadio WOOD-1300 finds one city Commissioner yelping that all this secrecy does not serve the public interest, especially when almost 2/3 of the land involved in the deal belong to the city government itself. Commissioner Rick Tormala wants to know what we'll do with our Public Works garages.

Meanwhile, even though it would seem there already is a plan with a developer in the works, City Hall publishes a request for interested developers to deal with that 30-acres of land along the river between the Amtrak station and the US-131 freeway. At some undetermined time, the Mayor says Grand Rapids government will choose one developer for this land which could be used for entertainment projects, stores, homes or office space. Gee, says the Mayor, even a casino might fit in there he would not like that.

I think this is officially the talk of the town.