PBJ
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Posts posted by PBJ
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Not really "metro" but.. close enough
http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2010/09/amway_heir_dick_and_betsy_devo.html
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Word on the street is 25 Kitchen and Bar was approved by the state for the liquor license transfer and should be open tomorrow night after 5pm.
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I was at the press conference and the idea is awesome! Imagine a 3 square mile area of downtown as one giant canvas for 2 1/2 weeks. Otterness meets Burning Man meets Rothbury. The river, rooftops, over streets, sides of buildings, in lobbies of office buildings, the skywalk, parks, sidewalks, plazas, you name it. And any kind of art: performing, sculpture, paint, giant toasters made of ice (Rick's example), etc.. And imagine the scale of some of the entries with artists being given this kind of canvas to do basically whatever they want. And then citizens texting their votes in for their favorites.
It was totally not what I expected, but it blew my expectations out of the water. Apparently this is the largest art contest "purse" in the world, and invitations have already gone out to 1000's of artists groups around the world. Sweet!
*Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with this project at all, so my excitement is genuine.
I'm not "artsy" either, but I do LOVE people downtown so this excites me too.
Question, do you need to typically have a "permit/license" of sorts to perform on the streets like in some cities? If so, I wonder if that's going to be waived during this
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Yeah, I stopped by a couple weeks ago. Here are some photos: My Bar & Grill
Wow.. looks like Bar Louie, but d/t. Even the menu font is the same..
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Here's something cool.. it's urban because.. uhm, it's sidewalks and people in cities. And how friendly and helpful people can be.
If nothing else it's a catchy tune.
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What type of place is it going to be?
Heard Sushi type place with a deep house DJ (Tom Hohman and someone else). Not sure if it's trying to do the restaurant -> club late night thing or just the big city "lounge" type feel. Also heard they've got someone from Marado lined up as the sushi chef.
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I believe Kelly Butler, a local football standout and player in the NFL, is a partner in this project. From what I've heard and through someone who walked away from this project (2nd hand), it's not going to be a place you'll find many UPers.
They have a website:
It's registered to Steven Hummel
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I've been in the house and have a picture, might be able to get more. I don't have much time now, but I'll post more tomorrow or Monday. It sure is big.
Yeah.. the house is a MONSTER inside.. it's still under construction, the owner said it should be done fairly soon. I know there's some more pictures that should be able to get up here soon. Its still at a point that it's hard to tell how "nice" it will be inside, but I can say it's VERY modern looking inside. Reminds me of something you'd see in Miami or something. The bridge over the ravine for the driveway was pretty sweet.
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The two resturaunts on Division are awesome though. I wonder if they will be open in time for the year's first Avenue of the Arts MARKET?
Rumor on the street is the "Soft Opening" is tentatively set for next Thursday evening May 22nd.
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I'd imagine the city is hesitant to go down the path of rebidding at this point, since conditions might result in an embarassing lack interest, backing an actual project up even further, etc
That's why it was suggested to let him "re-bid" as well, the city already likes the plan, but the funding market isn't there. Who knows how long it's going to take for that to bounce back, or how long it will take for GR to meet the demands of what wants to be done with this project to satisfy investors.
Maybe a different project would have an easier time getting funding? I imagine the funding is based on all the "pieces" of the project, retail, hotel, condo, apartment, theater etc. What if there was a different mix of all that?
Scattered throughout this thread and others there has been talk about retail vacancy rates, class a/b/c/d/e office vacancy rates, condo vacancies etc etc... so why not go after something that would be an easier pitch?
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You really think a parking ramp there would be better than the empty lot now? So 20 years of no development?
Some of you guys need to talk to people who work in the building, development and real estate world.
Disclaimer: I am in NO way involved with anything in the development business
That being said... While I don't agree with a parking ramp there, I don't see what the issue is with at least seeing if there's any interest by any other parties that may be able to come up with funding... Sure, if Azzar wants to show his interest let him, get new proposals from all interested parties and if Gallery on Fulton is still the best, let it continue. There has been a lot of changes in the last 4 years or so in GR between the JW, Bridgewater, and the Medical Hill, who knows if there's developers out there (local or national) that might have ideas for that corner. Don't get me wrong, I love what Sam Cummings has done in this town, I love he's a local guy and I don't want to see asphalt or a ramp there, but year after year of weeds isn't exactly what I want to see either. Why not say "We'll give you a 90-180 day extension, free of charge (minus the previous deposit), but in that same time we'll let other people send in new proposals".
After reading my post, I understand any new proposals may have the same funding issues Sam is running into.
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1 Ionia is for lease subject to lessee purchasing the liquor license and furniture and equipment. I'd say whatever bar was going to go in there is no more (some guy from Kalamazoo was the rumor i think).
Guess you should do some Due Diligence before you assume you can just cut a venting hole for your kitchen in a historic building.
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I don't think they'd be authorized to take it. I seem to remember either a discussion here or an article maybe in the Business Journal that it requires an act of congress (literally) to move a post office operation.
Ok.. so I'm an information nerd...
From my research it takes an act of the Board of Govenors of the United States Postal Service, an 11 member committee, 9 of which are Presidentially appointed and senate confirmed. The 9 then select the Postmaster General, who then appoints a Deputy General. This committee is responsible amongst other things:
"The Board directs the exercise of the powers of the Postal Service, directs and controls its expenditures, reviews its practices, conducts long-range planning, and sets policies on all postal matters. The Board takes up matters such as service standards, capital investments and facilities projects exceeding $25 million. It also approves officer compensation."
More information you ask?
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Fat Tuesday (Feb 5) - B.O.B. hosts a variety MG party, including music by Buckwheat Zydeco.
Also my Birthday.. I will be out celebrating for sure
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Ok, so I have some updated information from someone I consider reliable..
Yes, the building is going to reopen, but not as "The Stack". It will be remodled, new decor and a "new atmosphere", and will happen sometime after the New Year, but no exact date has been set.
The person who I got this from was going to post, but forgot thier password
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Heard a "rumor" so to speak that "The Stack" is reopening as "The Stack" on New Years Eve. Anyone else hear this?
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This isn't really Grand Rapids, it's San Giovanni Italy where I'm at right now (outside Bologna). This is the hotel I'm staying in, very modern, very nice.
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No, I'm sure you're one of the few cool guys with that look.
Forget I brought it up.
Hahaha.. maybe you "old timers" just don't get it..
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Oops, I meant I didn't like it on those other guys.
Don't you get hot wearing jeans in the Summer? Or does the flip-flop ventilation compensate?
Hey.. I wear jeans and flops!!! Look darn good doin it too
I better not be one of those other guys! -
I dunno. I can understand dress codes, it just seems that being completely non-leniant on something as silly as shoes is.. well, silly. It's not like I looked like a slob or anything. It'd just be nice if there was a little more balance between regulation and core purpose.
Well if it's any consolation to you.. I stopped to check it out.. Mixin Marc wasn't slated to go on till 1 or 1:15 (I didn't stick around).. so he was spinnin a 30 minute set at the most. The rest of the night was top 40/occasional dance track.
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I did check the dress code before I left home, I just happened to miss that one small thing.
Well yeah.. that sucks... doesn't make them the pompus assholes though
While you're at home... I recommend poppin open iTunes.. and downloading the "Radio 538: Dance Department" and "The Perfect Mix" Podcasts.. great music.. free.. plenty of hours of enjoyment. Not live at the BOB but still good.
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*sigh* I can't even begin to describe just how infuriated I am.
Hate to break it to you but the B.O.B.. more specifically Crush is not the only place with dress codes that enforce everything down to the shoes (no tennis shoes) (this is especially true in the bigger cities). Check the website next time, specifically calls out :
"Crush Nightclub maintains a dress code that encourages you to
"dress to impress." Nice jeans are allowed, but all athletic apparel is
prohibited including t-shirts, sweatshirts, hoodies, jerseys and hats.
No atheletic, running or hiking shoes, work boots of any kind.
Collared shirts must be buttoned up and worn at appropriate lenghts."
Montes is very close to the same.. Level was the same if I recall and I'm sure Moxie will be the same. Almost every other bar d/t has some form of dress code, most include no jersey's, no excessive "bling", some don't let you wear camo shorts (I wasn't let into a place run by a great friend and ex-employer b/c I had camo shorts on).
1913 Room requires a Dress Jacket to be worn.. I believe the Chop House is the same way.. Just because I want to enjoy a good steak doesn't mean I can show up in ripped jean shorts and a Nascar jacket.
Guess my point is dress codes are everywhere downtown, don't write off the BOB as a great (and fun) establishment just because you didn't meet their rules.
(I have no affiliation with the BOB or Crush)
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I heard your roof got scaled back and is only going to be around 40,000 sq. ft. That roof is going to be the LiveRoof module as far as I know.
Yeah, I'm digging through some internal Blogs and such to see if there's a current number. Not finding much that can be divuldged to the public (believe me I've tried to get permission as it's a really cool and really green project).
I better not be one of those other guys! 
Grand Rapids Restaurant Rumor Mill
in Grand Rapids
Posted
Word on the street is McFadden's was sold, deal closed Monday...
I had heard that Mark Sellers picked it up...