GRAM

[SupercityGR 71]

Walking down Monroe Center the gram doesnt offer any retail. They should move the gift shop and put in a real retail spot there. Get some foot traffic down monroe center again.

[wingbert 504]

Walking down Monroe Center the gram doesnt offer any retail. They should move the gift shop and put in a real retail spot there. Get some foot traffic down monroe center again.

I believe that those decisions are made by the DDA. They will tell the Planning Commission what can and can't be located on Monroe Center.

[jas49503 62]

Walking down Monroe Center the gram doesnt offer any retail. They should move the gift shop and put in a real retail spot there. Get some foot traffic down monroe center again.

maybe they could put an entrance to the street from the gift shop. it seems like it should be relatively easy since the gift shop has a lot of frontage.

[joeDowntown 669]

Personally, I think the GRAM has a pretty nice retail presence.

I do agree that it'd be nice if they had a street entrance - if you don't know where you're going, it looks like you have to pay admission to get into the GRAM store.

Joe

[Veloise 46]

Sure does need an entrance on Monroe Center.

Yaknow what would be awesomely awesome? If they added a cafe overlooking RPC and the ice rink, and some attractive sidewalk pavers...

Yep, no retail presence here.

Seriously, while taking these shots, a bench sitter and I exchanged ideas about the big square glass wall. She suggested taking a photo of "the red thing" and adding that to the translucency.

One thing about high-falutin' arky-techts: it sometimes seems as though they have never entered a building from the street, looked for a certain entrance, parked a bike, or walked between installations/facilities. (Love the rolling plastic sign.)

ETA: night view.

Edited September 6, 2012 by Veloise

[SupercityGR 71]

They should at least put a sign above the door

[Veloise 46]

^Bump

Willya look at this.

Used to be, someone on UP would get a good idea, add a post about it...and within a few days/week that concept would be adopted by the powers that be.

SupercityGR, it only took two months and a week. They might have started thinking about this on Sept. 5.

And I was not kidding about giving you some credit (holding the scissors).

[SupercityGR 71]

Not gonna lie that it would be cool for me to cut the ribbon, but it isnt needed, Im just happy that its being done!

[GRDadof3 1886]

Edit, never mind. I should have read the article better.

[jdkacz 38]

Maybe open on Monday too.

[Veloise 46]

New gift shop entrance

[GVSUChris 140]

So this is pretty interesting - it looks like WOODTV will be moving a studio set-up permanently to this space. I'm not really clear on all the details but it will be a fully functioning studio as well as a part of the curated GRAM experience, including a tool for learning. So that is all very interesting and great and it sounds like they really want to bring a sense of energy to the core and keep the momentum going...so here's where it gets...interesting...

They are going to (at least attempt to) install a digital ticker sign across the front of the studio space facing the circle. It sounds like it will run anything from top news stories to events information to emergency alerts - just no advertisements. 

Like I said I don't really have any clear understanding of it but if it is done well I guess it really has some potential to bring another layer downtown. 

"stay tuned." hehe. 

Edited March 30 by GVSUChris

[wingbert 504]

Wouldn't that moving ticker violate the same ordinance that got the dome on McKay Tower in trouble?

[joeDowntown 669]

I bet if it's inside it wouldn't. If it were outside, it seems like it would run into a lot of issues. Doesn't Maya Lin still have some sort of say in what is built in and around the park. 

Joe