Is something big coming?

[Cookin_peacocks]

Now, forgive me for the gossip and the vagueness of this, but! Yesterday, a long time lurker from here who I used to work for mentioned that someone VERY high up for a company that is very large in GR told him that the city could announce something soon that would make the past ten years of development seem mediocre. The only clue was that it WASN'T the amphitheatre.

 

The original source is someone who would definitely have connections. But against who actually knows. 

 

So the million dollar question is is there anything to this? I know some members have definite connections here who could at least point us in the right direction. 

[joeDowntown]

Huge data center with luxury casino  powered by hydrogen power on Market street site? And only accessible via tunnel. LOL. 

I don’t know if any “game changer” announcements that has been rumored have ever come to fruition / had even slightly the impact it was touted to have. I think I’m bored of that type of speculation

Joe 

 

[Cookin_peacocks]

2 minutes ago, joeDowntown said:

Huge data center with luxury casino  powered by hydrogen power on Market street site? And only accessible via tunnel. LOL. 

I don’t know if any “game changer” announcements that has been rumored have ever come to fruition / had even slightly the impact it was touted to have. I think I’m bored of that type of speculation

Joe 

 

I totally get it. I'm just curious if something pretty big is coming and people have been quiet about it. I get it's a gossip thread at this point that I don't want to spread, but more or less hopeful someone can tell us anything.

[whitemice]

55 minutes ago, joeDowntown said:

I think I’m bored of that type of speculation

Ditto.

[MJLO]

I don’t mind the speculation, but I get the fatigue about it.  I’d think it’d have to be something  pretty big to meet that expectation.  Perhaps not hydrogen plant big, but I’d think like corporate relo big.  Could be just that your contact wants to see if they can generate posts lol. 

[GRDadof3]

12 hours ago, Cookin_peacocks said:

Now, forgive me for the gossip and the vagueness of this, but! Yesterday, a long time lurker from here who I used to work for mentioned that someone VERY high up for a company that is very large in GR told him that the city could announce something soon that would make the past ten years of development seem mediocre. The only clue was that it WASN'T the amphitheatre.

 

The original source is someone who would definitely have connections. But against who actually knows. 

 

So the million dollar question is is there anything to this? I know some members have definite connections here who could at least point us in the right direction. 

I haven't heard anything. The only thing I could fathom that would be larger than all the development in the last 10 years would be the Market & Fulton corner getting developed. 

[wingbert]

[Pattmost20]

I would say about 6-8 years ago my buddy told me that he had seen some preliminary sketches that the Devos family had commissioned for the Fulton/Market riverfront property. I think at the time it was just to get an idea for what could be built on that site, but no specifics. 

He high up at (and in line to take over) a very large commercial contractor business in West Michigan, one who has worked on a good chunk of the major developments downtown. He definitely has access to a lot of renderings that haven't been made public. 

I would think that would be the last extremely large development spot in GR. And it sounds like the Devos family has had their eye on developing it for a while. So that is my guess. 

[Cookin_peacocks]

9 minutes ago, Pattmost20 said:

I would say about 6-8 years ago my buddy told me that he had seen some preliminary sketches that the Devos family had commissioned for the Fulton/Market riverfront property. I think at the time it was just to get an idea for what could be built on that site, but no specifics. 

He high up at (and in line to take over) a very large commercial contractor business in West Michigan, one who has worked on a good chunk of the major developments downtown. He definitely has access to a lot of renderings that haven't been made public. 

I would think that would be the last extremely large development spot in GR. And it sounds like the Devos family has had their eye on developing it for a while. So that is my guess. 

They own that lot, and it's definitely in the cards for the future. I just don't know when and what. It was one of the major DeVos families members dream so it will happen. I can't remember who, he died recently. I don't pay much attention to the DeVos'

[egrguy]

I love speculation.

The JW, I feel was a big development for GR. It elevated what guests could experience DT and i know many business travelers utilize that hotel exclusively. I can't believe it's 15 years old already. 

If it's in that vein perhaps a similar but larger development.

Chicago announced a $500m Shed Aquariam  expansion so if it's the aquarium then it'd need to be a massive amount to generate that kind of buzz. 

Any of these are good news, but to be a "game changer" vs just another hotel, building etc, would need to brings thousands of jobs/retail/activity to DT that doesn't already exist.

[joeDowntown]

I could also see something happening at the post office site (finally), but can't think of what might be the level being discussed. The Grand Action 2.0 projects are pretty huge (convention center hotel, soccer stadium, amphitheater), and the Fulton/Market lot could be big (though I kind of lump that in with the Amphitheater in my mind). 

I like some of the sneaky developments that didn't have a lot of mystery to them, but ended up being great. Studio Park, and by extension, Acrisure. Bridge Street (a bunch of small/mid size developments). Those two areas are better than I would have imagined. 

If I were to throw out wild speculation, I not only think Acrisure will build its tower, I think it will be bigger than they originally planned. They already have 700 employees downtown (and need extra office space), are acquiring companies like mad, and have private equity money coming out of their ears. I could see them going taller out of necessity / a signature building and use a small portion of the private equity money that fell between the couch cushions. LOL

I hope there is something coming that nobody knows about. At this point, I'd be happy if a few projects we DO know about finally get started. 

Joe

[Guest]

Maybe Duane Faust is coming back with Mystery Project 2.0?  

Somebody call up Geha and get her on the case!

But seriously, I would guess the city property?  Or also as others have mentioned, Fulton and Market.  People have hinted they have big plans for that.

It would be cool if it was a professional sports team!  I know this has been discussed a ton, but I feel GR could support it.  We are one of the largest markets without a pro sports team.  I've often wondered if the DeVos' would ever consider moving the Magic?  This would require a new arena of course, but cities have torn down newer arenas for bigger ones.  I think of all the sports, GR would support a hockey team the most.  The NHL has added Vegas and Seattle, maybe now us and Austin?

I would love to see a new tower with some HEIGHT, as in go for tallest in Michigan.

[walker]

7 hours ago, Pattmost20 said:

I would say about 6-8 years ago my buddy told me that he had seen some preliminary sketches that the DeVos family had commissioned for the Fulton/Market riverfront property. I think at the time it was just to get an idea for what could be built on that site, but no specifics.

I have no idea where this came from but I've had it in one of my photo files for about 6-8 years.  Maybe this is what your buddy saw:

[MJLO]

2 hours ago, Floyd_Z said:

  We are one of the largest markets without a pro sports team.  I've often wondered if the DeVos' would ever consider moving the Magic? 

Very unlikely  pro sports anytime soon. Too many underserved markets.  I’m pretty sure the dream of the Devos’s moving the magic died decades ago.  At this point it just wouldn’t make business sense.   Orlando-Tampa-Daytona/Central Florida is just way too big and growing of a market to abandon for the number 42 media market

[Guest]

24 minutes ago, MJLO said:

Very unlikely  pro sports anytime soon. Too many underserved markets.  I’m pretty sure the dream of the Devos’s moving the magic died decades ago.  At this point it just wouldn’t make business sense.   Orlando-Tampa-Daytona/Central Florida is just way too big and growing of a market to abandon for the number 42 media market

According to this list https://moving.selfstorage.com/largest-metro-areas-without-major-league-sports-teams/ we are number 11.  I can't see Riverside ever getting a team.  Maybe Austin?  Vegas has a team.  I feel like Providence, Hartford  and Richmond are too close to larger metros.  Birmingham and Rochester have been losing population.  It might never happen.  I still think NHL would be the best bet if it ever does happen, it's the "cheapest" franchise, but still close to a billion dollars.  Griffins regularly sell out games.  There are plenty of "dying" markets looking to relocate.  I know it's not very likely, but I feel like that would really bring us up a level.

 

[GR8scott]

NHL may seem "most likely" for GR but do you really think there would be a team in GR before Milwaukee, Cleveland, Indy, KC, Cincy, Quebec, Atlanta, Houston, Portland? 

[Cookin_peacocks]

1 hour ago, MJLO said:

Very unlikely  pro sports anytime soon. Too many underserved markets.  I’m pretty sure the dream of the Devos’s moving the magic died decades ago.  At this point it just wouldn’t make business sense.   Orlando-Tampa-Daytona/Central Florida is just way too big and growing of a market to abandon for the number 42 media market

The Magic opened a new arena several seasons back (maybe 10?)

 

So unless GR builds a high end arena, no way they leave.

1 minute ago, GR8scott said:

NHL may seem "most likely" for GR but do you really think there would be a team in GR before Milwaukee, Cleveland, Indy, KC, Cincy, Quebec, Atlanta, Houston, Portland? 

Atlanta has had two cracks at teams and failed both times. Cleveland, Quebec, and KC also had teams. 

 

VAA was built in case the NHL did come to the city, but that ship has sailed with the NHLs attempt to nationalize instead of going to traditional hockey markets 

[MJLO]

30 minutes ago, Cookin_peacocks said:

The Magic opened a new arena several seasons back (maybe 10?)

 

So unless GR builds a high end arena, no way they leave.

I don't think a brand new high end arena would make a difference TBH.  Orlando is a 3+ million person CSA, and the magic are also the primary NBA team for directly adjacent 3million+ Tampa.  When factoring in immediate secondary markets it's closer to 8million people.   Even if you considered Traverse City, Lansing and SW Michigan secondary markets for a GR pro team it still only gets you to around 3million people(still a bit of a stretch).   The Devos's clearly have a ton of hometown pride, but they are quite shrewd when it comes to their business dealings.  The Magic are a profitable franchise in one of the fastest growing markets in the country.  It would make no sense to sacrifice more than half of their local broadcast potential to bring that glory to little ole GR.   If there ever was a chance for a team to be poached it would be from one of the smallest markets like Memphis or maybe New Orleans.  Even then I think a long shot. 

[Guest]

58 minutes ago, GR8scott said:

NHL may seem "most likely" for GR but do you really think there would be a team in GR before Milwaukee, Cleveland, Indy, KC, Cincy, Quebec, Atlanta, Houston, Portland? 

Honestly, yes.  Or maybe it's just wishful thinking, except for maybe Milwaukee.  Michigan/Minnesota/North Dakota and some of Wisconsin love hockey more than anywhere else in U.S. (me included)  I still think the south shouldn't even have hockey teams, most fans are fair-weather or transplants.  I personally wouldn't even care if we had an NBA team.  Columbus got a team over Cincy and Cleveland..  

I don't think this is the "big news" if there is in fact any, I just like speculating.  

[joeDowntown]

Speculation about a major league sports team is probably the WORST of all types of speculation. The answer is a hard no. We will not get a major league sports team in the next 50 years. That’s just a true financial fact. One of the pains of being squeezed between Detroit and Chicago. We’ll have to wait for the climate-pocalypse for that to happen. 

Joe

[Cookin_peacocks]

2 hours ago, GR8scott said:

 

Ya know, if ya wanna get a team in the city, think secondary sports, like when GR had that arena football team. 

 

NLL sells out NHL arenas and has a TV deal on ESPN+.... I just watched the Bandits lose in the finals selling out the Buffalo Sabres arena , KeyBank Center.

 

If GR could lure them in to play at the VAA, that would be extremely cool.

 

For our non sports people, the NLL is Box lacrosse. Played on a hockey rink with astroturf.

[ZAP!]

If we're accepting wild speculation, I want a subway system. Maybe throw in some light rail and a legacy streetcar for flavor.

[cstonesparty]

I for one find the speculative threads on here a ton of fun.  

[GRDadof3]

11 hours ago, joeDowntown said:

Speculation about a major league sports team is probably the WORST of all types of speculation. The answer is a hard no. We will not get a major league sports team in the next 50 years. That’s just a true financial fact. One of the pains of being squeezed between Detroit and Chicago. We’ll have to wait for the climate-pocalypse for that to happen. 

Joe

Agreed. As someone who doesn't follow sports, I can't see how adding a sports team and a new arena will be "bigger than all the development in the last 10 years." haha.

I have my money on a joint announcement for the amphitheater on the city-owned land and the Market and Fulton site into multiple high rises, mid rises and a large retail component. Yes, that could be bigger than all the downtown development in the last 10 years. Easily.

 

[mgreven]

35 minutes ago, GRDadof3 said:

I have my money on a joint announcement for the amphitheater on the city-owned land and the Market and Fulton site into multiple high rises, mid rises and a large retail component. Yes, that could be bigger than all the downtown development in the last 10 years. Easily.

 

I just keep thinking that $7.3 million is a lot for Amway Hotel Corp to move a sewer line if they don't have some big plans.  They do invest in our city, but that's not a "we'll spend millions moving city sewer lines out of the kindness of our heart" type thing.  There has to be something major coming more than just the amphitheater there.  Hoping that's the case....having that lot developed would be great for downtown.