MSU Biomedical Research Campus - Phase II

[GRDadof3]

I own the post office building now.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

j/k

 

 

So it makes me curious. When these 20 or so MSU faculty and staff sit down to play "sim city" with the land they're assembling, will they include the post office site? Will it look like a letter L spanning Michigan to the river and then up the river North? It would make a heck of a lot more sense if they just owned it all and could build a massive real interconnected "campus." I know it doesn't always work out that way. It took GVSU over a decade to assemble parcels down by the business school, and it still just barely is starting to feel like a campus.

 

And will Secchia be able to hold off his crony buddies from wanting to capitalize on this and doing their own thing with the post office site?

[Gorath]

I can just picture it.  The place; the MSU board with special guest Peter Secchia playing "sim city" on a giant aerial print out of Michigan Street from the river to College ave.  As Peter points out the various properties on the map he gets to the post office, "And this is the Post Office and will have a new owner soon." (wink, wink, smile, grin, wink)

 

The board is thinking: Why is he winking at us? Does he want us to buy the building?

Peter is thinking: My best buddy in the whole world is going to build a casino/hotel with a roller coaster on the roof here.  Or maybe a zip line.  I don't know for sure, he won't tell me.

 

Later the board asks the post master general how much they want for the downtown post office.  "Oh, someone else has offered you that much?  Well we can't beat that. It's vacant right?"  The general gets an angry look on his face.

[Gorath]

MiBiz: MSU commits to building research space in Grand Rapids

[joeDowntown]

Whatever happens, I hope they make a statement with the building on the river, and don't knock down Olds Manor. Thanks in advance!

 

Joe

[Explorer55]

MiBiz: MSU commits to building research space in Grand Rapids

This where I first read about this proposal yesterday:  http://msutoday.msu.edu/news/2013/msu-grand-rapids-community-team-up-on-proposed-biomedical-research-facility/.  As a planner, I keyed on this portion:

 

"Scott Witter, who leads MSU’s Land Policy Institute and its School of Planning, Design and Construction, said the multi-disciplinary research team has a complex task ahead of it as they begin their work this week by visiting the Secchia Center, the College of Human Medicine’s headquarters.

 

The team is charged with creating a vision for MSU and Grand Rapids as a center for biomedical research, clinical study and education in an attractive, sustainable and economically diverse community.

“Our team’s role is to look at the community and MSU properties and figure out how we can design a high-class, model facility that satisfies researchers, administrators and community partners,” Witter said. “That includes looking at everything from sustainability to planning and zoning to technology.” "

 

From this, I hope and expect this effort will take a broader view than just adding new and/or renovating existing buildings.  This seems to me to be a much more comprehensive examination of downtown and the GR community at large.  To attract and keep researchers, medical/grad students, and other professionals and all that come with them, a community must offer a lot more than just a job and even more than the "right" type of housing options.  I think all of you know that, but it seems MSU knows that, too.  At least I hope that's why they are bringing in the Land Use Institute.  I think this is very exciting and could lead to GR really growing up!

Edited September 6, 2013 by Explorer55

[metrogrkid]

Whatever MSU's plans involve, they will be EXPONENTIALLY more powerful and interconnected with the rest of Downtown Grand Rapids if MSU's Land Policy Institute and its School of Planning, Design and Construction make sure to take into consideration the plans of ITP/The Rapid to connect that whole area in question to The Rapid's plans for the Monroe/Market corridor Streetrail alignment.  POWERFUL stuff indeed.  
 

[Veloise]

This where I first read about this proposal yesterday:  http://msutoday.msu.edu/news/2013/msu-grand-rapids-community-team-up-on-proposed-biomedical-research-facility/.  As a planner, I keyed on this portion:

 

"Scott Witter, who leads MSU’s Land Policy Institute and its School of Planning, Design and Construction, said the multi-disciplinary research team has a complex task ahead of it as they begin their work this week by visiting the Secchia Center, the College of Human Medicine’s headquarters.

 

... At least I hope that's why they are bringing in the Land Use Institute.  I think this is very exciting and could lead to GR really growing up!

 

Point of clarification: the Michigan Land Use Institute is based in NW Michigan, Benzie County whoops, they've moved to Traverse City. They do great things in terms of studies, publications, and advice. (yep, yrs truly applied for a job with them many moons ago)

 

MSU's Land Policy Institute is a different entity.

[GRDadof3]

This where I first read about this proposal yesterday:  http://msutoday.msu.edu/news/2013/msu-grand-rapids-community-team-up-on-proposed-biomedical-research-facility/.  As a planner, I keyed on this portion:

 

"Scott Witter, who leads MSU’s Land Policy Institute and its School of Planning, Design and Construction, said the multi-disciplinary research team has a complex task ahead of it as they begin their work this week by visiting the Secchia Center, the College of Human Medicine’s headquarters.

 

The team is charged with creating a vision for MSU and Grand Rapids as a center for biomedical research, clinical study and education in an attractive, sustainable and economically diverse community.

“Our team’s role is to look at the community and MSU properties and figure out how we can design a high-class, model facility that satisfies researchers, administrators and community partners,” Witter said. “That includes looking at everything from sustainability to planning and zoning to technology.” "

 

From this, I hope and expect this effort will take a broader view than just adding new and/or renovating existing buildings.  This seems to me to be a much more comprehensive examination of downtown and the GR community at large.  To attract and keep researchers, medical/grad students, and other professionals and all that come with them, a community must offer a lot more than just a job and even more than the "right" type of housing options.  I think all of you know that, but it seems MSU knows that, too.  At least I hope that's why they are bringing in the Land Use Institute.  I think this is very exciting and could lead to GR really growing up!

 

I read that too. Very exciting. I think the Rowe Hotel and post office are integral to all of this. We'll see if Rich DV puts aside his vision for the Rowe and sells to MSU.

[joeDowntown]

RDV could also be a pretty good partner if part of the "attractive, sustainable and economically diverse..." elements include a need for a good mixed use development close to the campus. As is stands, it's a bit of a trek to walk from that area to the more vibrant parts of the city (any lunch option is at least 3-5 blocks from that area). It sounds like housing and other amenities will be a needed part of the mix. 

 

Joe

[metrogrkid]

RDV could also be a pretty good partner if part of the "attractive, sustainable and economically diverse..." elements include a need for a good mixed use development close to the campus. As is stands, it's a bit of a trek to walk from that area to the more vibrant parts of the city (any lunch option is at least 3-5 blocks from that area). It sounds like housing and other amenities will be a needed part of the mix. 

 

Joe

 

Joe:

 

EXACTLY the transit linkage issues The Rapid/ITP intends to address for that whole North Downtown/North Monroe area. [grand rapids streetrail transit (srt) feasibility final report 2008july03]: http://www.ridetherapid.org/assets/files/1v/grand%20rapids%20streetcar%20final%20report%202008july03.pdf

[GRDadof3]

RDV could also be a pretty good partner if part of the "attractive, sustainable and economically diverse..." elements include a need for a good mixed use development close to the campus. As is stands, it's a bit of a trek to walk from that area to the more vibrant parts of the city (any lunch option is at least 3-5 blocks from that area). It sounds like housing and other amenities will be a needed part of the mix. 

 

Joe

 

They did add the food court in the Michigan Street complex. I think it has a Jimmy John's or Subway, Smashburger, etc..

[Gorath]

Bye bye Grand Rapids Press building.

 

MSU plans to demolish former Grand Rapids Press headquarters to build biomedical research center

[GR_Urbanist]

From Mlive comments...

Another Grand Rapids Landmark Building, torn down instead of being cherished and appreciated.

 

       

 

One more step to reversing the embarrassment known as "urban renewal". 

[organsnyder]

From Mlive comments...

 

       

 

One more step to reversing the embarrassment known as "urban renewal". 

We should keep in mind that much of the spirit of urban renewal was also rooted in reversing "embarrassments" of the past.

 

Not that I'm anything less than 110% in favor of seeing that building go, however - what an eyesore.

[jas49503]

I actually kind of like the building, except for the lame stone trim at the base.  it'll be interesting to see what MSU puts there. hopefully not a parking garage facing the sidewalk.

[GRDadof3]

I actually kind of like the building, except for the lame stone trim at the base.  it'll be interesting to see what MSU puts there. hopefully not a parking garage facing the sidewalk.

 

145,000 square feet, 5 or 6 stories. They want it to be a "gateway for both Monroe North and Michigan Street going East." There's hope!

[Gorath]

Perhaps, "The reports of my death are greatly exaggerated."

 

WOOD: Will MSU demolish former GR Press building?

 

WXMI: MSU Exploring Ways To Turn Grand Rapids Press Building Into Research Lab

Edited April 4, 2014 by Gorath

[GRDadof3]

Perhaps, "The reports of my death are greatly exaggerated."

 

WOOD: Will MSU demolish former GR Press building?

 

WXMI: MSU Exploring Ways To Turn Grand Rapids Press Building Into Research Lab

 

They're not keeping the Press facility.

 

Biomedical research facilities don't lend themselves to be very urban friendly (ie you probably won't see ground floor retail on this new center), but I sure hope the designers don't feel like they have to keep it in the same vein as the surrounding buildings like the Federal and State buildings.

 

This one's not bad

 

 

This one not so much:

 

 

Pretty boring:

 

 

Work-able:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

https://www.google.com/search?q=biomedical+research+center&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=dGFBU5byMfSosQS3loCADA&ved=0CAgQ_AUoAw&biw=1366&bih=640#imgdii=_

 

 

 

It would be nice to see a master plan of their holdings. Kind of like this that ASU did:

 

 

 

I do have this. It's a start!

 

[Quercus]

Reuse of the Press's tunnel under I-196 could be interesting; perhaps as an additional pedestrian route to/from North Monroe or as access to a hidden, internal parking structure.

[GR_Urbanist]

I was just thinking of that tunnel and how it could be a pedestrian connector for a future MSU GR campus with buildings on both sides of the highway. Icon on Bond could even become future student dorms.

 

N. Monroe would make a great place for a university.

[Jippy]

Wonder what the status of the USPS office location is? Remember when the MSU president let loose the information about its likely closure at a press conference?

[GRDadof3]

I don't really think these moves are coincidental.

 

http://www.urbanplanet.org/forums/index.php/topic/115913-630-s-division-ave-postal-facility/

 

It would be great to see one continuous huge campus, although is there that much of a need for biotechnology and med school education? Maybe mixed with other programs? That lot behind Monroe Terrace and Brassworks (where Icon Tower II was going to go) would make for a great parking ramp and leave the rest as a nice campus.

 

 

 

[wingbert]

All sorts of fun stuff is happening in the world of biotechnology...

 

Patch of Electronic Skin Can Save Your Life

[jas49503]

I don't really think these moves are coincidental.

 

http://www.urbanplanet.org/forums/index.php/topic/115913-630-s-division-ave-postal-facility/

 

It would be great to see one continuous huge campus, although is there that much of a need for biotechnology and med school education? Maybe mixed with other programs? That lot behind Monroe Terrace and Brassworks (where Icon Tower II was going to go) would make for a great parking ramp and leave the rest as a nice campus.

 

 

 

 

they will have to dramatically expand their offerings beyond medical school if they want to fill all of that space.  in East Lansing there are really only three buildings that house all of the medical school's classroom, clinical, and administrative space.  they are not even very large buildings.  It is hard to say what MSUs long term plans are and I suspect that as a medical school it is in transition from a primarily clinically, primary care based emphasis, to more traditional, research based medical school. a la, Univ of Mich.  If they were to tie that in with ancillary programs (nursing, pharmacy, etc) then I could see needing all that space, or at least a good portion of it.

[Veloise]

they will have to dramatically expand their offerings beyond medical school if they want to fill all of that space.  in East Lansing there are really only three buildings that house all of the medical school's classroom, clinical, and administrative space.  they are not even very large buildings.  It is hard to say what MSUs long term plans are and I suspect that as a medical school it is in transition from a primarily clinically, primary care based emphasis, to more traditional, research based medical school. a la, Univ of Mich.  If they were to tie that in with ancillary programs (nursing, pharmacy, etc) then I could see needing all that space, or at least a good portion of it.

 

Probably because they moved here, yes?