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New projects on the West Side


GRDadof3

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Funny to see this post.  I drove past here along 196 yesterday and wondered what was going up.  A couple cranes and a Rockford trailer were all I could see.  That must be the new Rockford HQ mentioned. 

 

Yes, they're taking the old Miller Products (?) factory and converting it into their new HQ. I've asked for some renderings, but nothing yet.

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I would love to see that area really have its own identity. Thats the first time I heard the name "lower west side" and a lot of big cities have nicknames that combine those terms and create a destination like "lowry" ect. It would be great to see a disticnt neighborhood that could be a separate destination from downtown with a stretch of shopping, dinning and nightlife as well as cater to the established neighborhood and mix of college students and young professionals that live nearby. This might be a good start

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I've heard "Lower West Side" before, referring to all the neighborhoods at the bottom of the river valley (i.e. roughly east of John Ball Park & Valley Ave).  So that would include Stockbridge, West Grand, SWAN, John Ball Park, and all.

 

So I suppose that would make "Upper West Side" the western areas that sit atop the hill, though I've never actually heard anyone use that term.

Edited by RegalTDP
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I've heard "Lower West Side" before, referring to all the neighborhoods at the bottom of the river valley (i.e. roughly east of John Ball Park & Valley Ave).  So that would include Stockbridge, West Grand, SWAN, John Ball Park, and all.

 

So I suppose that would make "Upper West Side" the western areas that sit atop the hill, though I've never actually heard anyone use that term.

My grandpa used to refer to 'down the hill' as 'Kielbasa Valley'. As I have a deep love for Polish food (Westsider, mmmm. . . . ), I still use this one among my friends.

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  • 4 months later...

Rockford and the city to vacate Lexington between 1st and 2nd streets.

 

http://www.grbj.com/articles/77052-grand-rapids-street-goes-on-vacation

 

 

I haven't been through that area in a while but there are a few dumpy looking houses on Lexington in that area (the one on the corner is ok).  Are they still standing?  Without the street there would be no access to these homes.

 

And if they are going to vacate Lexington between 1st and 2nd, they might as well vacate Lexington between Bridge and 1st.  It can sometimes be a bit of an adventure crossing Stocking and Lexington on foot at Bridge Street.  And eliminating one of the streets can help.  It wouldn't shorten the distance needed to travel, but I think it would make it easier to cross.

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I'm not sure in which direction the expansion will take place, but it will be interesting to see take place. 

 

 

Ferris plans GR expansion to accommodate coffee, nut growth

Elijah Brumback {sodEmoji.|} June 9, 2013

 

GRAND RAPIDS — Ferris Coffee & Nut Co. is brewing up plans for an expansion the company hopes will help transform its operations and lead to continued corporate growth.

The company, which recently rebranded simply as Ferris, is gearing up for a roughly $1.3 million expansion and renovation of its downtown production facility, which will make way for up to 30 more jobs at the location.

Ferris is increasing capacity by adding 10,000 square feet of additional production space, along with a complete renovation of its offices at 227 Winter Avenue on the city’s near west side.

Driving the expansion is a desire for increased efficiencies at the plant, as well as a need to accommodate heightened food safety regulations.   

“As we’ve grown (and are) doing business with some very large food manufacturers and retailers, a big reason we need to add on to this building is so that we can continue to provide a safe food environment and the necessary documentation in addition to third-party audits,” said John Van Tongeren, president and owner of Ferris.

The expansion also includes refrigeration for the nut production lines and the ability to separate the various allergens the company works with, he said.

As the company has grown and started to deal on a more regional and national scale, food safety requirements have also increased. In 1996, when Ferris built its downtown facility, food safety parameters were a lot wider, Van Tongeren said.

Grand Rapids-based Integrated Architecture Corp. is providing the design services for the project.

Ferris also aims to establish greater efficiency and flexibility to meet national and local customer needs, according to Mark Van Tongeren, the company’s marketing director. Part of the plan also means adding new equipment and two new packaging machines, he said.

During the construction phase, the company plans to temporarily shift some nut production from downtown to its Wyoming facility and move it back when the work is completed, said John Van Tongeren.

On top of the expected build out, Ferris is also laying the groundwork to bolster its retail presence with more locations, but executives are mum on the details of the plans.

...

http://mibiz.com/news/design-build/item/20669-ferris-plans-gr-expansion-to-accommodate-coffee-nut-growth

 

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  • 1 month later...

I've heard "Lower West Side" before, referring to all the neighborhoods at the bottom of the river valley (i.e. roughly east of John Ball Park & Valley Ave).  So that would include Stockbridge, West Grand, SWAN, John Ball Park, and all.

 

So I suppose that would make "Upper West Side" the western areas that sit atop the hill, though I've never actually heard anyone use that term.

 

I grew up 'up the hill' on the West Side. And if someone didn't know what 'up the hill' was, it was kind of a scrambling for landmarks to describe where 'up the hill' was- usually settled on saying over by Blanford Nature Center, and that even though we were in the city limits, I had neighbors with backyard horses.

 

Despite the lack of a name, the Blanford-Covell-Shawmut Hills-whatever area had and still has a distinct identity from the rest of the West Side.

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  • 1 month later...

Rockford Construction's 225 employees is moving into their new headquarters on Seward Street.  Official unveiling Tuesday @ 5pm.

 

GRBJ : Contractor moves into $4.7M Grand Rapids HQ

 

Rockford's new HQ will definitely make a nice and very much needed addition to Westside. I hope this spurs more development along Bridge street.

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  • 2 months later...

Another possible Rockford development on the West Side. This one looks to be the largest one so far: "at least $7.5 million" and "at least 60,000 square feet". Area plan calls for mixed-use with up to 4 stories and it sounds like Rockford would like additional height.

 

http://www.mlive.com/business/west-michigan/index.ssf/2013/11/rockford_development_grand_rap.html
 

http://www.grbj.com/articles/78346-developer-awaits-option-on-163m-property

 

Apparently they also have an option on the little auto body shop on Fulton so they could develop the entire block. This could end up being a large project for the West Side - hopefully SWAN is receptive.

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Another possible Rockford development on the West Side. This one looks to be the largest one so far: "at least $7.5 million" and "at least 60,000 square feet". Area plan calls for mixed-use with up to 4 stories and it sounds like Rockford would like additional height.

 

http://www.mlive.com/business/west-michigan/index.ssf/2013/11/rockford_development_grand_rap.html

 

http://www.grbj.com/articles/78346-developer-awaits-option-on-163m-property

 

Apparently they also have an option on the little auto body shop on Fulton so they could develop the entire block. This could end up being a large project for the West Side - hopefully SWAN is receptive.

 

Wow, I remember hearing something about this site a long long time ago, before the street actually went in. And the auto body shop. It will be interesting to see if this happens.

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  • 2 weeks later...
  • 5 months later...

All kinds of West Side happenings lately:

 

http://rapidgrowthmedia.com/devnews/HarmonyBrewing0515.aspx

 

I love this little building, becoming a restaurant:

 

http://rapidgrowthmedia.com/devnews/BlackHeron0515.aspx

 

New denim store called Denym:

 

http://www.grbj.com/articles/79436-denim-store-fits-into-downtown-space

 

New product lines at American Seating Park:

 

http://rapidgrowthmedia.com/innovationnews/0515americanseating.aspx

 

70 new employees:

 

http://mibiz.com/news/real-estate/item/21551-logistics-provider-moves-70-employees-to-grand-rapids%E2%80%99-west-side

 

I also heard that a certain rapidly growing company in GR bought a building on the West Side recently...

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