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Riverfront Property Proposal(s)?

tony speller

By tony speller
in Grand Rapids

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FlawlessDeveloper Unincorporated Area

FlawlessDeveloper

Posted
Posted
I think them warm fuzzies got too dang close to a stove and went poof!

Did i miss something? Of this $65,000 figure, wasn't like $10,000 non-refundable? Is that really too much to ask to show that the visionary of this RiverGrand deal is really serious about this project? Just to ensure that he's not just yanking the city's chain and costing them money and time while they chase his tail? The city basically handed this thing to faust...in my opinion. The requirements of size and scale of the project to be submitted pretty much excluded the other 2 they invited for final proposals. I'm tired of reading about how the city gave faust the run around..they bent over backwards for him and were continually left watching Faust shoot air-balls. I'm thinking that if i was 75% sure i could make this RiverGrand thingy happen, i'd be happy to part with that 65 grand. Didn't he give Mark London a little money for the first option on his nudie bar? If this guy is so brilliant, why would he do that and then not take care of his obligations for the RFP?

Frankley, I believe he realized it wasn't goint to happen. Whether it was because he didn't have the financial backing, couldn't demonstrate that the development wouldn't do as much harm as good to downtown, or he doesn't feel welcome, it doesn't really matter. I think he turned in the proposal without the money he knew was required knowing it would be a deal killer, and when the city kicks him to the curb he'll try to make them out as the bad guys, both now and in his future dealings with others.

Maybe someday he'll convince someone to let him build his salt shaker and popcorn boxes.

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tamias6 Town

tamias6

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Don't know about the rest of you but both Faust and the city is over there respective heads. Faust is screwed because he's had trouble pulling everything together from the start and the city is crucifying itself by its own fair share of mistakes. With all of the mass media making a spectacle of this, Faust's credibility will be ruined if River Grand sinks while at the same time outside developers will steer clear of GR due to its own bumbling at handling the process. Maybe instead of trying to attract one giant development, the city should have opted to redo its master plan followed by other appropriate actions for the river front and surrounding area to encourage a bunch of smaller developers to achieve the same economic effects as one big development. An example of this would be our own Health Hill. Its not all Spectrum up there but instead a collection of separate entities summing up to over a billion dollars worth of development and a massive and positive economic effect.

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GRDadof3 Ecumenopolis

GRDadof3

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Here's something interesting. On the city's website, if you go to the Economic Development section and find "properties for sale", you'll find 201 Market RFP:

http://www.ci.grand-rapids.mi.us/index.pl?page_id=544

This is supposed to be a general RFP with all the newest details including the requirements that were added per the consultant the city hired, available for any of the three interested developers (or anyone else looking at the Econ Dev. site) to open. Click on it and read page 2. Was a letter specifically addressed to Duane Faust supposed to be included in the actual RFP?

Oops.

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Phizzy Hamlet

Phizzy

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I think the city accidentally posted the RFP they put together for Faust, instead of a more generic RFP.

http://www.ci.grand-rapids.mi.us/download_...As%20Issued.pdf

There is also one for Moch...

http://www.ci.grand-rapids.mi.us/download_...As%20Issued.pdf

...and I assume one for Barnes-Stevens (although I can't find the link).

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cheshireguy Whistle-Stop

cheshireguy

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You know all, although we may be disappointed over the nothingness that will probably become of GehaGate 06, what we can't look past is the buzz that this particular piece of property created. Yes, it sucks that Trump won't house a 60 story hotel/casino/skydeck/museum/recording studio/shuttle launch sit/etc, but at the very least the word is out to any other developers looking to stake their claim in our great city. If the asking price were lowered (along with the expectations) we could see something very noteworthy and worthwhile for the city in the area discussed. We shall move on to greater non-Faust things...

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Prankster Burg

Prankster

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You know all, although we may be disappointed over the nothingness that will probably become of GehaGate 06, what we can't look past is the buzz that this particular piece of property created. Yes, it sucks that Trump won't house a 60 story hotel/casino/skydeck/museum/recording studio/shuttle launch sit/etc, but at the very least the word is out to any other developers looking to stake their claim in our great city. If the asking price were lowered (along with the expectations) we could see something very noteworthy and worthwhile for the city in the area discussed. We shall move on to greater non-Faust things...
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GRDadof3 Ecumenopolis

GRDadof3

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But isn't that an apples and oranges comparison? A well established market that has proven to be a sound investment, versus a up and coming market that has a lot of unknowns. Remember, what does or doesn't happen at 201 Market will be part of the face of the city to the outside world. The good news is, so will the public/private partnerships that are helping to build the medical cluster on the hill. But because of the press coverage that 201 Market has gotten, it will also be remembered.
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terra firma Whistle-Stop

terra firma

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he's coming in acting like he knows what he is doing honestly. I'm shocked by his shrewdness, business acumen, commitment to the project and his willingness to pursue his investors best interests over that of the city.

I'd give him $65K....I'm thinking he has more smartz than we have given him credit for.

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torgo Town

torgo

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I don't even know that I care anymore. The whole thing looks half-assed. The proposal was held together with binder clips, has a half-assed looking graphic and there was no money. Why should anyone take him seriously? If I'm writing a proposal, even if the job is a shoe-in, I would at least take the time to get it bound and spiffed up, and, oh I don't know, include everything the prospective client asked for. Anything less is awfully unprofessional if you ask me.

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Raildudes dad Hamlet

Raildudes dad

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Flawless Developer do we know each other ?

If you're 'flawless' how can you justify singing the praises of a no-money 'developer' who's never developed anything ?

The real people are gone, we are left with Duane and Duane has no capacity. This has been demonstrated a million times. Santa Claus ain't comin' to town.

Why are you people still talking about Duane ?

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