Highway and Road Construction Updates

[GRDadof3]

Nice, but the Horseshoe cold use a little more color. The details on that building would be served well by some accents. Any word on that place?

Actually, the windows are papered over and I saw contractors going in and out of it that day, but who knows. That place has started and sputtered a number of times. I just think the location is just a bit out of the way right now, but that could change with some additional development in that area (depot for instance). I love the "turrets" on that building.

I think we're getting a bit off-topic though.

[Raildudes dad]

The easement they are purchasing is right in front of this parcel in the middle. For some reason the street curves and the property line stays straight North South. If you walk in that area, the sidewalk pretty much blends right into the parking lot. I don't know the history of why it ended up that way. I wouldn't be surprised if someone here knows. It sounds like the city purchased the easement so they can restore sidewalk when they rebuild the street. The building in the lower left is the Peter Martin Wege Center for Dance that is undergoing renovation and expansion (thread)..

Something's not correct. The MDOT Right of Way book shows they bought a 48.38' (n-s) by 22.02' (e-w) triangle at the corner on 5/20/1960 L1891-P177 from Mid-Michigan Truck Service. My guess is the Regis ROW line is incorrect (I have found a few mistakes out in the county) and they are acquiring an additional easement behind the triangle.

[dtown]

I hope it ends up looking like Ionia Ave, thats a great looking street. I hope it includes those black light posts, they look so much better than the galvanized highway style ones.

PS- Juding by that picture, it looks like Wealthy has an overpass and Ellsworth and some parking lots go under it. Is this true, and are they going to leave the lots, and the street going beneath Wealthy?

Edited February 10, 2007 by dtown

[GRDadof3]

PS- Juding by that picture, it looks like Wealthy has an overpass and Ellsworth and some parking lots go under it. Is this true, and are they going to leave the lots, and the street going beneath Wealthy?

Keeping me on my toes dtown.

Ellsworth will stay open under the Wealthy overpass. The aerial I drew doesn't show it, but that big vacant area next to 131 is actually where the ITP Surface Transportation Center sits:

Just South of the ITP Station sits a couple of DASH lots (Downtown Area Shuttle) run by the city parking commission. Apparently ITP has put an option on DASH lot 6 to possibly move the Amtrak station there. However, in the latest news about a possible streetcar line downtown, DASH lot 6 was shown as a possible streetcar "barn".

[DwntwnGeo]

However, in the latest news about a possible streetcar line downtown, DASH lot 6 was shown as a possible streetcar "barn".

I am hoping that it can be used for both the street car staging area and have one lane left open for the Amtrak train

[dtown]

Ok GRDad, thanks for the info.

A nice train station would be great. It seems like all of Michigan's larger citys have dinky train stations that look like they are Taco Bells.

[GRDadof3]

Bridge construction to snarl Michigan Street traffic

Find another route.

[Raildudes dad]

Bridge construction to snarl Michigan Street traffic

Find another route.

The article says they're maintaining one lane of traffic each direction. It won't be much different than it has been the last couple years with all the building construction higher on the hill

[highwayguy]

The article says they're maintaining one lane of traffic each direction. It won't be much different than it has been the last couple years with all the building construction higher on the hill

Westbound will be closed completely the first half of the summer, with only one eastbound lane open. It won't be until later in the year when there will be one lane open each way.

[Raildudes dad]

Westbound will be closed completely the first half of the summer, with only one eastbound lane open. It won't be until later in the year when there will be one lane open each way.

Oops That's what happens when you skim the article (In the actual paper no less ) too fast.

Edited February 18, 2007 by Raildudes dad

[highwayguy]

Oops That's what happens when you skim the article (In the actual paper no less ) too fast.

I think we can all relate.....

[highwayguy]

Closures on Pearl Street and Fulton Street in the next two weeks:

Street Closed: EASTBOUND PEARL STREET

Street From: WEST OF CAMPAU

Street To:

Starting Date: 02/19/2007 07:00AM

Ending Date: 02/23/2007 04:00PM

Description:

EASTBOUND PEARL WILL BE REDUCED TO ONE LANE FOR INSTALLATION OF UNDERGROUND CONDUIT FOR CONSUMERS ENERGY TO FEED THE NEW HOTEL.

THE EASTBOUND CURB LANE WILL BE OPENED EACH DAY AT 4:00 P.M. UNTIL 7:00 A.M. THE NEXT DAY.

Street Closed: EASTBOUND PEARL STREET

Street From: WEST OF CAMPAU

Street To:

Starting Date: 02/23/2007 05:00PM

Ending Date: 03/02/2007 05:00PM

Description:

EASTBOUND PEARL WILL BE REDUCED TO ONE LANE FOR CONSTRUCTION OF DRIVEWAYS

Street Closed: WESTBOUND FULTON

Street From: DIVISION

Street To: COMMERCE

Starting Date: 02/20/2007 09:00AM

Ending Date: 02/23/2007 05:00PM

Description:

WESTBOUND FULTON STREET WILL BE CLOSED FOR REPAIR OF UNDERGROUND ELECTRICAL FACILITIES.

WESTBOUND DETOUR: DIVISION TO WESTON TO COMMERCE TO FULTON

[GRDadof3]

Isn't Bridge Street supposed to be reduced to two lanes only (Eastbound side open) for installation of the River House crane this upcoming week (19th - 23rd)? I think they're going to have a large crane capable of reaching 400' taking up both Westbound lanes assembling the 250' tall tower crane.

http://www.urbanplanet.org/forums/index.ph...st&p=695341

[highwayguy]

Isn't Bridge Street supposed to be reduced to two lanes only (Eastbound side open) for installation of the River House crane this upcoming week (19th - 23rd)? I think they're going to have a large crane capable of reaching 400' taking up both Westbound lanes assembling the 250' tall tower crane.

http://www.urbanplanet.org/forums/index.ph...st&p=695341

Yes, they will have one lane open in each direction this coming week on the south (eastbound) side of the road. It is scheduled to start Tuesday and continue until Friday. The incorrect date at the bottom appears to be left over from the original notice (should be February 23).

ROAD CLOSURE NOTIFICATION UPDATE

Closing Number:

Closing Name: BRIDGE STREET

Notification Date: 02/02/2007

Closure Type: Partial Closure

Street Closed: BRIDGE STREET

Street From: SCRIBNER

Street To: THE GRAND RIVER

Starting Date: 02/20/2007 09:00AM

Ending Date: 02/23/2007 05:00PM

Originating dept: Traffic Safety - 456-3066

Contact: MATT CARSEN, WOLVERINE CONSTRUCTION, 248-3001

Description:

UPDATED TO DELAY START DATE DUE TO COLD WEATHER

BRIDGE STREET WILL BE REDUCED TO ONE LANE IN EACH DIRECTION FOR CONSTRUCTION OF RIVERHOUSE CONDOMINUIMS.

AT 5 PM ON FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 9, A SECOND LANE FOR EASTBOUND TRAFFIC WILL OPEN AND THE CURB LANE FOR WESTBOUND BRIDGE WILL REMAIN CLOSED.

Edited February 18, 2007 by highwayguy

[highwayguy]

Bridge work to close section of Alpine

There goes one of the alternate routes to avoid the road work on US-131.....

[Raildudes dad]

Bridge work to close section of Alpine

There goes one of the alternate routes to avoid the road work on US-131.....

Real bright timing eh?

[GRDadof3]

The plans for reconstruction of Cherry and Wealty Streets near St. Mary's, plus adding 3 roundabouts, have gone to the Planning Commission. It looks like they are going to have to shave the corner off of that building at Wealthy and Jefferson like civitas indicated:

http://www.ci.grand-rapids.mi.us/download_...5e56a46fc93.pdf

I think this will be pretty cool!

[dtown]

Looks nice!

[GRDadof3]

Roundabouts were approved. Construction on the Cherry St roundabout starts in June, with Wealthy beginning later this year. With the new parking ramp, Hope Lodge and the Hauenstien Center under construction, that area is going to be a mess.

GR Press article

Along Wealthy Street, several buildings on the south side of the street will be razed to allow the wider street, DeVries said. Those buildings, owned by the Inner City Christian Federation, include the former So-So's Lounge, the former Que restaurant and an apartment building.

The city also purchased a former photographer's studio on the northeast corner of Wealthy and Jefferson to make room for the project.

Bush, who said he became familiar with the circles when he worked for the Connecticut Department of Transportation, said he will continue to scout for intersections where roundabout can be built.

Anyone have any additional intersections that might work? I think Pearl and Front Street by the Days Inn and Museum would be a great place. It's wide enough, and would make for a nice "gateway" interchange.

[dtown]

I like roundabouts. Theres one in Saginaw that actually is and interchange.

IMO, a gateway roundabout must include either a statue or a founttain, dont you think?

[grcitydog]

Along Wealthy Street, several buildings on the south side of the street will be razed to allow the wider street, DeVries said. Those buildings, owned by the Inner City Christian Federation, include the former So-So's Lounge, the former Que restaurant and an apartment building.

The city also purchased a former photographer's studio on the northeast corner of Wealthy and Jefferson to make room for the project.

I think the roundabouts are a cool idea, but I just don't like the idea of knocking down buildings to widen the street. That area is suffering enough from surface lots and lack of buildings. I know these structures aren't much to look at, but they at least represent potential. I hope new buildings are in the plans.

[gvsusean]

division and fulton.. with the statue

[GR_Urbanist]

I actually cringed a bit when I heard that buildings will have to come down for this, but I do think that this presents a really great opportunity for serious developers, not the build it cheap and ugly guys, to accent these traffic circles on Wealthy (first ever in GR?) with some really spectacular buildings. It will be as close as a clean slate your going to find in the central part of the city as there are many empty buildings and lots along this whole stretch of the street.

This is a seriously good chance to get something great going down there.

And a definite YES to some classic statues and fountains to go in the center of the circles. Landscaping is too dull and easy. think more along the lines of Columbus Circle in NYC, just a bit smaller.

btw I'm having a hard time figuring out hoe the one at Cherry and Jefferson is suppose to fit. Unless I'm off, wont some buildings that are in use have to come down? Will they just move the street?

[dtown]

Anyone have a pic of this intersection now?

Edited March 11, 2007 by dtown

[Allison Slater]

First in GR proper I think, but not the first in the metro. I know there's on in Kentwood near 44th & Schaffer.