517 replies to this topic

[fotoman311]

Three stories of metal framing is up for pretty much the entire building and the center "mini-tower" thing also looks to be nearly complete.  Sorry for the lack of photos.  I ride by this almost every day on my way to work and it's been fun to watch the progress.

[elcelc]

Yeah, the webcam doesn't do it justice either...
http://148.61.146.22...wer_index.shtml

[GRDadof3]

Here are some on a dreary day (today):

[Modernist]

The new library out in Allendale is now taller than Kirkhof Center. Seems like that frame is going up quickly, too. I was going to get pictures, but I can't get on the site. These are up to date, though:

http://www.flickr.co...in/photostream/

[GRDadof3]

Pics of the new Seidman Business School. I love how tall the main section (comparatively speaking, since it's low and squatty).

[GRDadof3]

Here is the Business School looking from 38 Commerce's rooftop:

[Gorath]

GVSU buys gas station.  Will demo it for .... ?

http://www.mlive.com...iral_gas_s.html

[mpchicago]

Gorath, on 27 April 2012 - 10:11 AM, said:

GVSU buys gas station.  Will demo it for .... ?

http://www.mlive.com...iral_gas_s.html

Does this mean GVSU now owns the property that the billboard is on?  Aren't billboards difficult to get rid of because of long lease agreements?  Does anyone know the story with that?  I hope this dosen't end up as more parking.

Edited by mpchicago, 27 April 2012 - 12:42 PM.

[GRDadof3]

mpchicago, on 27 April 2012 - 12:40 PM, said:

Does this mean GVSU now owns the property that the billboard is on?  Aren't billboards difficult to get rid of because of long lease agreements?  Does anyone know the story with that?  I hope this dosen't end up as more parking.

According to REGIS, the billboard sits on its own small parcel owned by Outdoor Systems in Phoenix. It probably ain't going anywhere soon.

My guess is initially they'll build some sort of pedestrian connection between the new business college and the other Devos campus. The gas station is a pretty small parcel in the grand scheme of things, but does have Fulton St frontage. Long term strategy probably.

[Gorath]

Such an odd lot the billboard sits on.

[Veloise]

^^Sure would be a terrible shame if, during the gas station demo process, a backhoe or steam shovel or other BIG apparatus were to accidentally damage the billboard, to the point of making it unrepairable.

[Gorath]

Veloise, on 27 April 2012 - 08:24 PM, said:

^^Sure would be a terrible shame if, during the gas station demo process, a backhoe or steam shovel or other BIG apparatus were to accidentally damage the billboard, to the point of making it unrepairable.

You mean some sort of soil contamination that required clean up.

[GR_Urbanist]

I'd hate to see it go. It was a convenient place to fill up, and very bust gas station. But then again they never bothered to enter the 21st century and give you the ability to pay at the pump, forcing you to stand in line behind people buying smokes and lottery tickets.

oh yeah, then there is this:

"

What exactly the property will be used for is unclear at this time, but demolition of the gas station is expected to begin this summer, administrators said."

Seeing that acres of land behind it are a used car lot, I'm not holding my breath as to what it will likely turn into.

Edited by GR_Urbanist, 28 April 2012 - 06:03 AM.

[Gorath]

It will just be temporary.*

_{* I made this image up. Not an actual plan.}

Edited by Gorath, 28 April 2012 - 08:51 AM.

[GR_Urbanist]

Gorath, on 28 April 2012 - 08:50 AM, said:

It will just be temporary.*

_{* I made this image up. Not an actual plan.}

Sadly there is no such thing as a temporary parking lot in DT GR. It will get the usual fake iron fence/juniper shrub treatment, and will be there for at least 8-15 years.

The amount of money it will cost to pave it over + the amount they will make from students that have to pay to park, will make that thing be there for a very long time. All of their big talk about development is just PR noise, just like what St. Mary's does.

[Veloise]

Gorath, on 27 April 2012 - 09:47 PM, said:

You mean some sort of soil contamination that required clean up.

Noooope. I mean the city's code that stipulates billboards are a non-conforming use, and if one is damaged beyond easy repair (50% IIRC) it must be removed.

We had a BZA case that included a billboard, and quite a bit of site prep. The regs made it into the public record.

[sfloria]

My money is on straightening Mt Vernon to connect to Front street so the navigation through there isn't such a maze.  

[GRDadof3]

sfloria, on 30 April 2012 - 10:27 AM, said:

My money is on straightening Mt Vernon to connect to Front street so the navigation through there isn't such a maze.  

I think you're right sfloria. Driving on Mt Vernon I noticed the sight line down to the business school and Mt Vernon lines up with the entrance to the new building. In fact, after walking that area, it has a slight semblance of an actual campus with the little bit of tree canopy. I could actually envision a campus feel (with a TON of work).  And the gas station is already being torn down. That was fast.