Medical Mile/Michigan Street Developments

[Nitro]

Actually, after doing some research, today, Rafael Vinoly's firm still seems to be the one's doing the expansion.

That's really surprising. I wonder if VAI buffered themselves with another architect as a go between.

[GRDadof3]

That's really surprising. I wonder if VAI buffered themselves with another architect as a go between.

VAI does have an in-house architect now.

[sparky05]

Why the bad blood between Vinoly and VAI?

[Kayak1]

Bill Cullhane who used to work at Progressive is on staff. I wonder if he is the "go between"?

[designcritic]

Actually, after doing some research, today, Rafael Vinoly's firm still seems to be the one's doing the expansion.

Vinoly had included in his first contract that he had first right of refusal for the phase 2 work. He is doing the main building architecture but various other pieces have been given to a local architect. Bill Culhane is the owners representative.

[RustTown]

Your second sentence doesn't sound unusual, at all. Large projects usually have more than one architect. Vinoly is the architect of design, and I'd imagine there would be an executive architect and maybe even an associate architect, as well.

[GRDadof3]

Joint announcement between VAI and MSU today at 1:30

I don't believe they will announce a site today, but possibly next week?

[tamias6]

Absolutely electric! I hope they show a rendering that looks as good if not better than my final MSU rendering on the Sketchup Thead.

[gvsusean]

VAI gives MSU 16 Million for new school

[mpchicago]

Free Press Story

"Plans for a new building to house the medical school are in the design phase. No site has been selected."

I guess this means they are still trying to figure out what they need for the school building rather then working on the physical design of the building? Still think the SE corner of Division and Crescent is the best spot.

[egrguy]

The official press conference was supposed to be at 1:30pm, anyone know if anything pertinent was mentioned?

[CK1]

Is there still land available around Medical Hill for a $70mil building without having to go east of the GVSU building? Jump to the other side of 196? How about on TOP of 196!!

[mpchicago]

The official press conference was supposed to be at 1:30pm, anyone know if anything pertinent was mentioned?

Did you read the Free Press article?

[egrguy]

Did you read the Free Press article?

I did, I just wondered if anything was added at the official presser.

[GRDadof3]

I think the main announcement today was that VAI was giving the $16 Million to the med school (which they hadn't committed to before) and were going to offer space in their new Phase II for research done by MSU. We already knew about the five biomedical research clusters.

[GaryP]

The medical school staff will perform research within VAI 's 248,000 square-foot Phase II expansion. The agreement calls for the university to lease office, research and instructional lab space upon completion of Phase II slated to open in 2009.

So the new school won

[joeDowntown]

Anyone think the Catholic Diocese / Ellis Parking lot would make a suitable location? Enough room for a large building and parking / "campus feel". That would put it right across from VAI.

Joe

[tamias6]

GRDad suggested the Southeast corner of Cresent and Division. Following his lead that is where I placed this Sketchup rendering I did a few weeks ago. A Skywalk connects directly to VAI to access its reserch labs.

[blueradon]

I love that rendering...it would fit in great

[GRDadof3]

"That's the $70 million question," said Rappley, referring to the building's estimated cost. "Building a $70 million building is a very long and arduous process and we're coming to the end of that, we hope."

Heacock said it also would be beneficial for the school to be close to the institute.

"We think it's necessary that's it's very close to Van Andel Institute. ...you wouldn't want to have these researchers get in their car and drive a ways to go teach," he said.

http://www.mlive.com/news/grpress/index.ss...&thispage=2

I've wondered about the Diocese spot too joe-d.

[mpchicago]

I always thought the Ellis lot on Ionia was an underutilized spot, and the parking deck they have planed there definitely falls into that category. By the way, that is not the Catholic Diocese at the corner of Ionia and Crescent, it the Catholic Information Center run by the Paulist Fathers.

Edited October 12, 2006 by mpchicago

[GRDadof3]

I always thought the Ellis lot on Ionia was an underutilized spot, and the parking deck they have planed there definitely falls into that category. By the way, that is not the Catholic Diocese at the corner of Ionia and Crescent, it the Catholic Information Center run by the Paulist Fathers.

Ah, good call mp.

MSU med school now looking for a home

Michigan State University is considering four sites for its new medical school in Grand Rapids:

# The former Mercantile Bank building on North Division Avenue. - bingo

# A tower yet to be built on the Michigan Street Hill. - I think has already been eliminated as a possibility

# The Mid Towne Village medical office development near Michigan and College Avenue NE. - Does not fit the "you wouldn't want these researchers getting in their cars to drive...."

# The Eerdman's Publishing site on Jefferson Avenue SE near Saint Mary's Health Care. - Same situation here

We rock.

[GRDadof3]

Attention high schoolers and college undergrads: VAI to hire 580 scientists, doctors, technicians and support staff!

That's when Phase II becomes fully operational in late 2009. Start studying now.

[CK1]

Attention high schoolers and college undergrads: VAI to hire 580 scientists, doctors, technicians and support staff!

That's when Phase II becomes fully operational in late 2009. Start studying now.

That is a HUGE number of employees. How does the VAI support itself and its efforts? My guess is that the annual budget will be well over $100mil when this expansion is complete, and unless it is endowed to the tune of $1bil, there has to be significant outside annual funding sources.

[numstead]

I think if they located the school at Mid Towne Village or near St. Mary's it would only seem logical that there would be some sort of a shuttle service to and from the Spectrum/VAI