682 replies to this topic

[tSlater]

Now I'm getting really curious.  If I can make it back home by noon to catch my radio shows on Trance Thursday, I'll probably check this out.

[GR_Urbanist]

Now I hope the people behind this are keeping things in perspective, because "Major initiative that will affect the city of Grand Rapids for years to come" is codewords to some for:

"Something that's interesting, but outside of a few interested/connected folks, it will be forgotten by the end of the week and will fizzle with no impact on anything by September."


Building projects that cost hundreds of millions took years to have a major impact on Grand Rapids, and by major I mean uneven and many time none at all. So something like this, while I'm all ears, is starting to reek of over hyped buzz marketing.

[Veloise]

GRDadof3, on Apr 20 2009, 11:40 AM, said:

  I remember that (but can't remember who said it).

I'm going to try and be there Thursday morn.

http://www.urbanplan...h...t&p=1021139

Whoops, it was a fairy palace, and a stairway to the moon. Mea culpa.

Er, this is not to make light of the pending announcement or its long-term impact on GR or anything like that. (Did that a couple weeks back with GM's new two-seater wheelchair car...)

[GRDadof3]

GR_Urbanist, on Apr 20 2009, 12:26 PM, said:

Now I hope the people behind this are keeping things in perspective, because "Major initiative that will affect the city of Grand Rapids for years to come" is codewords to some for:

"Something that's interesting, but outside of a few interested/connected folks, it will be forgotten by the end of the week and will fizzle with no impact on anything by September."


Building projects that cost hundreds of millions took years to have a major impact on Grand Rapids, and by major I mean uneven and many time none at all. So something like this, while I'm all ears, is starting to reek of over hyped buzz marketing.

Yeah, I'm anxious to see what it is.  The buzz is more word-of-mouth right now, and the major media outlets haven't covered any of it yet (except Chris' blog).

I have a feeling it's not so much a building project announcement, but more of a jobs and economic announcement (which I think is better).  You can't build a building unless you plan to fill it with people.

[fotoman311]

GRDadof3, on Apr 20 2009, 01:45 PM, said:

You can't build a building unless you plan to fill it with people.

You've just made this potshot too easy.    
http://maps.google.c....50000000000002

Edited by fotoman311, 20 April 2009 - 11:51 AM.

[Rizzo]

GRDadof3, on Apr 20 2009, 12:45 PM, said:

Yeah, I'm anxious to see what it is.  The buzz is more word-of-mouth right now, and the major media outlets haven't covered any of it yet (except Chris' blog).

I have a feeling it's not so much a building project announcement, but more of a jobs and economic announcement (which I think is better).  You can't build a building unless you plan to fill it with people.

WoodTV just covered it.  Nothing new though.

Edited by Rizzo, 20 April 2009 - 12:00 PM.

[jthrasherphoto]

fotoman311, on Apr 20 2009, 01:50 PM, said:

You've just made this potshot too easy.    
http://maps.google.c....50000000000002

don't even get me started on that place.

[GRDadof3]

fotoman311, on Apr 20 2009, 01:50 PM, said:

You've just made this potshot too easy.    
http://maps.google.c....50000000000002

Exactly.  You can't put the cart before the horse.  

I hear this won't be an announcement in the Duane Faustian sort of way.  Create jobs and retain/attract young people.  That to me spells some kind of film school/entertainment company.  Maybe like Kendall College or Cooley back in their founding days.

[Rizzo]

GRDadof3, on Apr 20 2009, 01:56 PM, said:

Exactly.  You can't put the cart before the horse.  

I hear this won't be an announcement in the Duane Faustian sort of way.  Create jobs and retain or attract young people.  That to me spells some kind of film school/entertainment company.  Maybe like Kendall College or Cooley back in their founding days.

They're using you for viral marketing!   So this is going to be an announcement proposing framework that will change Grand Rapids?

Edited by Rizzo, 20 April 2009 - 01:12 PM.

[GRDadof3]

Rizzo, on Apr 20 2009, 03:11 PM, said:

They're using you for viral marketing!   So this is going to be an announcement proposing framework that will change Grand Rapids?

Actually, everyone's been very good on this one in keeping me out of the loop.  I just like to connect seemingly insignificant dots.  But now that you say that, maybe they are.   I feel so dirty.  

Yeah, Rizzo.  WOODTV got a formal invitation in the mail.  That's their breaking story.  

[PR-15]

I hate to be the spoiler...it's multi-faceted...damn the torpedos, I'm spillin' everything I know. Rick DeVos will announce the following:

Spoiler

1. It's a free lifetime supply of sidewalk chalk for GR residents (but only if you live or work inside the DID...screw the 'burbs).
2. A free Husqvarna ice-sculpting chain saw for making winter sidewalk decorations (must live or work inside the DID to be eligible for chain saw giveaway)
3. Poulan chain saws are on back order (they're American made but hard to come by)
3. Eric Prince will be announced as the new GR City Manager (the GRPS teachers unions have been put on notice already...tic-tock...they just might want to re-think those contract demands while Eric has you dangling from a BlackHawk helicopter).
4. Rapid Growth will be announced as the only authorized media company allowed to tell sugary and positive stories about GR.
5. The GR Press will high-jack the press conference and announce yet another mlive search engine improvement.
6. Urban Planet will announce a 140 character limit to posts.

Just remember...you didn't hear this from me...I'd be in HUGE trouble if this leak points back to me.

[GRDadof3]

PR-15, on Apr 20 2009, 03:30 PM, said:

I hate to be the spoiler...it's multi-faceted...damn the torpedos, I'm spillin' everything I know. Rick DeVos will announce the following:

I was just handed a memo by legal that I'm required to put spoiler boxes over your post, due to the extreme sensitive nature of the situation.  

I will have more info as it is handed to me on a silver platter.

[fotoman311]

GRDadof3, on Apr 20 2009, 03:46 PM, said:

I was just handed a memo by legal that I'm required to put spoiler boxes over your post, due to the extreme sensitive nature of the situation.  

I will have more info as it is handed to me on a silver platter.

But GRDad, how will the masses (you know, the 3 people that check UP ) know to prepare for their lifetime supply of sidewalk chalk? You're just envious because you don't get any, aren't you?

Edited by fotoman311, 20 April 2009 - 01:49 PM.

[GRDadof3]

fotoman311, on Apr 20 2009, 03:47 PM, said:

But GRDad, how will the masses (you know, the 3 people that check UP ) know to prepare for their lifetime supply of sidewalk chalk? You're just envious because you don't get any, aren't you?

It's still there all you masses.  Just pull your cursor over it.  You know legal, more interested in the letter of the law....

[PR-15]

GRDadof3, on Apr 20 2009, 02:46 PM, said:

I was just handed a memo by legal that I'm required to put spoiler boxes over your post, due to the extreme sensitive nature of the situation.  

I will have more info as it is handed to me on a silver platter.

Come on, UP does not have a legal department...especially one that would had deliver a memo to GRDAD (we all know he rarely wears pants as a moderator).

[organsnyder]

GRDadof3, on Apr 20 2009, 03:54 PM, said:

It's still there all you masses.  Just pull your cursor over it.  You know legal, more interested in the letter of the law....

I'm fairly certain that your method of redacting PR-15's information is endorsed by the FBI. You're in good company (and the information you redacted is about as valuable as the info the FBI redacted).

[GRDadof3]

PR-15, on Apr 20 2009, 03:54 PM, said:

Come on, UP does not have a legal department...especially one that would had deliver a memo to GRDAD (we all know he rarely wears pants as a moderator).

Pants, schmantz.  This is serious business for serious people.  Did Napoleon wear pants?  Did Gandhi?  Edward R. Murrow??!!!

[Veloise]

GRDadof3, on Apr 20 2009, 03:18 PM, said:

... WOODTV got a formal invitation in the mail.  That's their breaking story.  

Hope it includes a map.

(news flash: Division is a north-south street.)

[Kib]

GRDadof3, on Apr 20 2009, 02:18 PM, said:

Yeah, Rizzo.  WOODTV got a formal invitation in the mail.  That's their breaking story.  

My greatest joy is the anticipation of Ghea once again getting frothy in her reports...

[jas49503]

i wonder if it is coincidence that the announcement is on earth day?