New projects on the West Side

[thebeerqueer]

On 4/15/2016 at 3:25 PM, ctpgr34 said:

Must be doing good, they did renovate a few years back

I wonder if there's new ownership?

[kevin8gr]

Fulton Place on April 24th, 2016

[kevin8gr]

I'm not really sure where to post this photo but here is the new Consumer's Energy training center on 4-24-16

[joeDowntown]

3 hours ago, kevin8gr said:

I'm not really sure where to post this photo but here is the new Consumer's Energy training center on 4-24-16

Wow, that's going up fast. I drove by a few weeks ago and it wasn't above ground. 

Also, welcome Kevin. Thanks for the great photos. 

Joe

[kevin8gr]

I'm guessing the building on the right is also part of Fulton Place? It's not as nice as the older buildings but any infill is better than nothing and it brings more people to the near westside.

[thebeerqueer]

You're correct, that building on the right is part of Fulton Place. 

 

Welcome and thanks for sharing the photos. 

[ctpgr34]

On 4/15/2016 at 2:25 PM, EastownLeo said:

Thats odd, I thought they just redid that building maybe 3 years ago.

Additional info this renovation- http://www.mlive.com/business/west-michigan/index.ssf/2016/04/111-year-old_bar_making_comeba.html#incart_river_home

[ironyisadeadscene]

If you were wondering how some projects were fitting into the west side.

 

 

[mgreven]

Two things on the West Side...

1) Insignia Homes is building a showroom/workshop on 343 Seward.  We got a notice on it as it's directly behind my wife's building and the renderings are from the planning commission.

2) I believe the old train tower outside of El Sombrero comes down today for restoration.  That's really cool that it's being restored.  A great piece of history.

 

[ctpgr34]

On 4/15/2016 at 3:25 PM, ctpgr34 said:

Must be doing good, they did renovate a few years back

From their FB page, it says "Finished!"  They must not be renovating 2nd story

Edited June 9, 2016 by ctpgr34

[ctpgr34]

30 minutes ago, mgreven said:

Two things on the West Side...

1) Insignia Homes is building a showroom/workshop on 343 Seward.  We got a notice on it as it's directly behind my wife's building and the renderings are from the planning commission.

2) I believe the old train tower outside of El Sombrero comes down today for restoration.  That's really cool that it's being restored.  A great piece of history.

 

Looks like you are correct-http://www.mlive.com/business/west-michigan/index.ssf/2016/06/100-year-old_railroad_tower_co.html#incart_river_home

[walker]

Looks like the tower has got its own Facebook page:

 Bridge Street Tower Facebook

[thebeerqueer]

36 minutes ago, mgreven said:

Two things on the West Side...

1) Insignia Homes is building a showroom/workshop on 343 Seward.  We got a notice on it as it's directly behind my wife's building and the renderings are from the planning commission.

2) I believe the old train tower outside of El Sombrero comes down today for restoration.  That's really cool that it's being restored.  A great piece of history.

 

We discussed this at our board meeting last night and besides some noise concerns from the workshop/milwork (very minimal due to published operating hours) we're fully supportive. You're all shocked, I know. Mark the date in history. 

[joeDowntown]

5 hours ago, thebeerqueer said:

We discussed this at our board meeting last night and besides some noise concerns from the workshop/milwork (very minimal due to published operating hours) we're fully supportive. You're all shocked, I know. Mark the date in history. 

Marked and notarized.  I like it. It's a nice little building.

Joe

[EastownLeo]

"Downtown" get a Grocery?   I wish It was closer to "Downtown" but this is a good start.  http://www.grbj.com/articles/85468-developer-and-meijer-plan-downtown-grocery-store

[mgreven]

Very exciting!  Just came here to post this but you beat me to it!  

 

Very eager to see the plans...there's a lot of land there.  Seems like a perfect fit.

Edited June 13, 2016 by mgreven

[mpchicago]

I had head that Rowster was planning a coffee shop at Fulton Place.  Here is the confirmation.

https://mibiz.com/item/23773-rowster-coffee-plans-new-cafe-concept-on-grand-rapids’-west-side

[ctpgr34]

Rockford/ ICCF- https://mibiz.com/item/23783-rockford-construction,-iccf-announce-plans-for-affordable-housing-in-grand-rapids’-west-side-neighborhood

[ctpgr34]

53 minutes ago, ctpgr34 said:

Rockford/ ICCF- https://mibiz.com/item/23783-rockford-construction,-iccf-announce-plans-for-affordable-housing-in-grand-rapids’-west-side-neighborhood

More on Superblock- http://www.mlive.com/business/west-michigan/index.ssf/2016/06/west_side_super_block_developm.html#incart_river_home

[GRDadof3]

There's a request coming up before the Planning Commission later this month to demolish 11 homes on the West Side, on 1st, 2nd and Alabama street/aves. There are no plans to replace them at this time. This is that block that was planned for townhomes many years ago, and sits next to 616/Rockford's Alabama Ave apartment project. 

Seems like there's a large number of homes being demolished near downtown, but are they really that good of housing stock? 

[thebeerqueer]

50 minutes ago, GRDadof3 said:

There's a request coming up before the Planning Commission later this month to demolish 11 homes on the West Side, on 1st, 2nd and Alabama street/aves. There are no plans to replace them at this time. This is that block that was planned for townhomes many years ago, and sits next to 616/Rockford's Alabama Ave apartment project. 

Seems like there's a large number of homes being demolished near downtown, but are they really that good of housing stock? 

These homes have been owned by Rockford for a while and were purchased in varying states of disrepair. Its a safety concern, as these houses are 'broken into' on a weekly basis. They plan on demo-ing, seeding and adding lighting until viable plans emerge. 

[GRDadof3]

2 hours ago, thebeerqueer said:

These homes have been owned by Rockford for a while and were purchased in varying states of disrepair. Its a safety concern, as these houses are 'broken into' on a weekly basis. They plan on demo-ing, seeding and adding lighting until viable plans emerge. 

I assumed they would do something like that. They're pretty trashed. 

[joeDowntown]

Looks like this ugly duckling is going to get built:

http://www.mlive.com/business/west-michigan/index.ssf/2016/07/developers_going_ahead_with_74.html#incart_2box_news_grand-rapids

Joe

[ChevalierNoir]

On 7/29/2016 at 6:39 PM, joeDowntown said:

Looks like this ugly duckling is going to get built:

http://www.mlive.com/business/west-michigan/index.ssf/2016/07/developers_going_ahead_with_74.html#incart_2box_news_grand-rapids

Joe

Meh, anything will look better than the current seedy-looking pawn shop/cell phone store combo. imho

[x99]

On 7/29/2016 at 6:39 PM, joeDowntown said:

Looks like this ugly duckling is going to get built:

http://www.mlive.com/business/west-michigan/index.ssf/2016/07/developers_going_ahead_with_74.html#incart_2box_news_grand-rapids

I like to blame Progressive AE, but they have done nice stuff in EGR and elsewhere, so maybe the developers think this sort of crap sells?  Maybe it will, short term, but I'm a little afraid of how quickly this monotonously trendy design aesthetic will devalue.  You can't hardly give away a "high end" and "cutting-edge" house from the 80s or 90s.  There are some very odd design choices being made for buildings that need to provide a multi-decade return.