Wealthy Street Mega Thread

[terra firma]

On 3/1/2007 at 4:03 PM, ericnmu said:

I say someone here should go into The Wild Bunch and give us a full report.

just stepped outta the time machine after reading this post- here are a couple recent pictures.   

the building is structurally gone- it needs to get put in the box and cannot / should not be renovated.

upstairs had small rooms, with kid size beds and clothing on the floor— no idea what the official use of this place was before the fire but i felt bad seeing it.  I’d love a reason to tear it down and start fresh here.

A couple crappy cell phone pics:

[terra firma]

619 Wealthy is next up for renovation, with HPC approval in hand, request in place for OPRA tax incentives and fresh ink on the Deed just hours ago.

Our mission is to carry out the vision of our friends from the Bakery who have done a great job getting things in place for an expedited rehab.    We won’t be doing the earlier proposed residential component here though- it’s a straightforward reno for 1-4  retail users.

Do you like it better with awnings or without?

Images courtesy Lott3Metz architecture / Greg Metz who makes this process look much easier than it is.

[GVSUChris]

19 minutes ago, terra firma said:

619 Wealthy is next up for renovation, with HPC approval in hand, request in place for OPRA tax incentives and fresh ink on the Deed just hours ago.

Our mission is to carry out the vision of our friends from the Bakery who have done a great job getting things in place for an expedited rehab.    We won’t be doing the earlier proposed residential component here though- it’s a straightforward reno for 1-4  retail users.

Do you like it better with awnings or without?

Images courtesy Lott3Metz architecture / Greg Metz who makes this process look much easier than it is.

What's the total square footage?

[GRDadof3]

59 minutes ago, terra firma said:

619 Wealthy is next up for renovation, with HPC approval in hand, request in place for OPRA tax incentives and fresh ink on the Deed just hours ago.

Our mission is to carry out the vision of our friends from the Bakery who have done a great job getting things in place for an expedited rehab.    We won’t be doing the earlier proposed residential component here though- it’s a straightforward reno for 1-4  retail users.

Do you like it better with awnings or without?

Images courtesy Lott3Metz architecture / Greg Metz who makes this process look much easier than it is.

Without awnings. 

[Pattmost20]

2 hours ago, terra firma said:

619 Wealthy is next up for renovation, with HPC approval in hand, request in place for OPRA tax incentives and fresh ink on the Deed just hours ago.

Our mission is to carry out the vision of our friends from the Bakery who have done a great job getting things in place for an expedited rehab.    We won’t be doing the earlier proposed residential component here though- it’s a straightforward reno for 1-4  retail users.

Do you like it better with awnings or without?

Images courtesy Lott3Metz architecture / Greg Metz who makes this process look much easier than it is.

Sans awnings.

[terra firma]

2 hours ago, GVSUChris said:

What's the total square footage?

4,000 SF.

[Allison Slater]

Is that a payphone I see? Does it still work?

[walker]

25 minutes ago, tSlater said:

Is that a payphone I see? Does it still work?

Payphone's gone.  That's a very old photo.  It dates back to the first entry by Josh Leo in this thread back in February 2007, back when the old lady still sort of operated the store.

Not that I'd ever dare eat there but in a sort of perverse way I'm going to miss Mom's grill. 

[discgrab21]

Without awnings 

[mpchicago]

13 hours ago, terra firma said:

619 Wealthy is next up for renovation, with HPC approval in hand, request in place for OPRA tax incentives and fresh ink on the Deed just hours ago.

Our mission is to carry out the vision of our friends from the Bakery who have done a great job getting things in place for an expedited rehab.    We won’t be doing the earlier proposed residential component here though- it’s a straightforward reno for 1-4  retail users.

Do you like it better with awnings or without?

Images courtesy Lott3Metz architecture / Greg Metz who makes this process look much easier than it is.

 

Glad to see this will finally get renovated.  It looks better without awnings, but that is southern exposure.... From what I read about Wealthy Street, you probably already have tenants lined up to sign leases. 

BTW, the Wild Bunch is super creepy, but I guess we already knew that without seeing the inside.

[joeDowntown]

I personally like the awnings, but I think it'll look good either way. Great job Eric! You are doing some awesome work down on Wealthy!

Joe

[Prankster]

Definitely without the awnings. 

[EastownLeo]

Its a narrow sidewalk, no awnings.  Love that it will finally see life again.

[GR_Urbanist]

I like the awnings because they always come in handy in the rain, and they do help to keep the amount of snow down outside your door.

But either way, thank you, Terra Firma! I'm glad this is finally going to be taken care of. This thing has been a decade-long embarrassment to the area.

[x99]

14 hours ago, terra firma said:

619 Wealthy is next up for renovation, with HPC approval in hand, request in place for OPRA tax incentives and fresh ink on the Deed just hours ago.

Our mission is to carry out the vision of our friends from the Bakery who have done a great job getting things in place for an expedited rehab.    We won’t be doing the earlier proposed residential component here though- it’s a straightforward reno for 1-4  retail users.

Do you like it better with awnings or without?

Images courtesy Lott3Metz architecture / Greg Metz who makes this process look much easier than it is.

Skipping the residential is a good call.  The design of it to me did not complement the building well.  Unless all of the transom windows still have glass in place, I would go with awnings.  Historically, though, that is inaccurate.  You can tell from the prism/reeded glass in the transoms.  Those were designed to refract light into the interior of the building.  Ideally, if some/all are still in place, you could restore them.  Pristine Glass Co. should be able to do it.

[RegalTDP]

On 6/23/2017 at 3:17 PM, GR_Urbanist said:

This isnt Wealthy related, but close.

 

I just got a flyer about a new ICCF project at 501 Eastern. I see that this was announced a few months ago, but honestly this is the first I've heard of it.

http://iccf.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/ICCF-Announces-New-Multi-Family-Project-at-501-Eastern-Final.pdf

Now this isn't that other project that was proposed further down the street (and likely fell-through). This one is directly across the street from the Eastern Ave. CRC, which is all now just abandoned buildings.

This looks pretty exciting! It seems development is finally spilling down Eastern from Wealthy.

 

501 Eastern Development getting Brownfield credits: http://www.mlive.com/business/west-michigan/index.ssf/2017/11/non-profit_housing_developer_g.html#incart_river_home

Hope to begin construction in Spring 2018.

[GR_Urbanist]

While not thrilled that this is yet another low-income project, it's better than what is there., and this type of development can really lead to others if done right.

I really just hope the people managing the property manage it well. Apartments for homeless youth + low income units + just 2 market rate will need for these guys to run a tight ship.

[AG3]

On 10/23/2017 at 7:27 PM, terra firma said:

619 Wealthy is next up for renovation, with HPC approval in hand, request in place for OPRA tax incentives and fresh ink on the Deed just hours ago.

Our mission is to carry out the vision of our friends from the Bakery who have done a great job getting things in place for an expedited rehab.    We won’t be doing the earlier proposed residential component here though- it’s a straightforward reno for 1-4  retail users.

Do you like it better with awnings or without?

Images courtesy Lott3Metz architecture / Greg Metz who makes this process look much easier than it is.

In the right setting awnings add some nice character and intimacy.. I think this is the right setting ..  The building is not multi level, so not much dimension.   Yes on awnings....  and nice to see you guys taking this one on.      What size spaces and do you know the lease rates yet. ?
 

We have interest  ..      www.artesiangroup.net    

Edited November 22, 2017 by AG3

[GRDadof3]

On 10/23/2017 at 7:27 PM, terra firma said:

619 Wealthy is next up for renovation, with HPC approval in hand, request in place for OPRA tax incentives and fresh ink on the Deed just hours ago.

Our mission is to carry out the vision of our friends from the Bakery who have done a great job getting things in place for an expedited rehab.    We won’t be doing the earlier proposed residential component here though- it’s a straightforward reno for 1-4  retail users.

Do you like it better with awnings or without?

Images courtesy Lott3Metz architecture / Greg Metz who makes this process look much easier than it is.

Apparently one retail user may take the whole building. Retailer not from this area. 

[thebeerqueer]

16 hours ago, GRDadof3 said:

Apparently one retail user may take the whole building. Retailer not from this area. 

Hmmm ... that's a lot of space for one store. Let the speculation begin. 

[joeDowntown]

1 hour ago, thebeerqueer said:

Hmmm ... that's a lot of space for one store. Let the speculation begin. 

Dollar Tree?  I kid, I kid. 

Joe

[GR_Urbanist]

Dollar Tree actually tries to make a nice looking store, are bight and clean, and they actually have useful stuff, that actually costs one dollar!

 

If we didnt have those two other pretend chains, I would be excited if they did come here.

[thebeerqueer]

3 hours ago, joeDowntown said:

Dollar Tree?  I kid, I kid. 

Joe

[GVSUChris]

21 hours ago, GRDadof3 said:

Apparently one retail user may take the whole building. Retailer not from this area. 

When you say not from the area...haha...

Does that imply chain-format "not from around here" or a store that exists on the lakeshore and wants to open another location "not from around here?" 

Personally I would love to see some cool high-end retail like Shinola pop-up in this area, and then I remember where we live. Glad to hear it is retail! 

[Prankster]

Another transplant from Traverse City?