That Greg Gilmore and the BOB

[Rizzo]

Anything new about The BOB getting bigger? Are there any timetables, details, anything that wasn't covered in the BOB thread posted awile back that have come up now? I was just walking past the place and couldn't help, but remember that it is going to get way bigger if the right things happen...

[joeDowntown]

The GR Press said today that Gilmore is asking to pay 1.7 Million for the WHOLE parking lot (instead of half as they agreed upon last year). No details about a project but this is potentially very good news!

Joe

[Rizzo]

Thanks for the info. I was wondering where this thread went! So he relised that the lot was too small for what he wanted?!

[GRDadof3]

That's fantastic news Joe! Gilmore just had an option on the property before, but it sounds like he's going through with it? If you're still around, what section was that in?

edit: Bingo!!

http://www.mlive.com/newslogs/grpress/inde..._01.html#104854

[GrandRiverCityKid]

That's fantastic news Joe! Gilmore just had an option on the property before, but it sounds like he's going through with it? If you're still around, what section was that in?

edit: Bingo!!

http://www.mlive.com/newslogs/grpress/inde..._01.html#104854

So...any scoop on this being more of an H.O.B. possibilities or not? Does anyone have any info at ALL on HOB?

[GRDadof3]

It's all very hush-hush. Although, if he's going for the whole lot, that bodes well for the chances of a boutique hotel and a theatre venue (HOB or not).

[Rizzo]

Are there equal alternatives to the HOB? I always heard about the HOB and the other forum had a lot of heated discussion about how GR couldn't support it, maybe this talk is true?

[GRDadof3]

The expanded article on this today says he plans to invest $5 million. Not quite enough for a hotel at this point.

[Rizzo]

What about silent partners? Just seems a little low.

[joeDowntown]

I see no reason why GR could not support a House of Blues. Having just come back from Las Vegas, the acts that were scheduled were very diverse and could easily sell out in GR (Fiona Apple, Black Eyed Peas, Stryper [eegads]).

Joe

[GRDadof3]

Right on Joe!

And Rizzo, $5 million is pretty low. The Civic renovation alone is in the $9 million range. As you said, maybe he's saying "he will invest $5 million, but xxxxx will invest $$". Even if it's not HOB, I'll take it

Here are some other similar-sized venues:

The Pageant - St. Louis

Hennepin Theater District - Minneapolis

Vic Theatre - Chicago

[Rizzo]

I was thinking that maybe its not HOB, but a counterpart, one of lesser known status. I don't agree though that GR can't support this venue, by the way. Thank you Dad for the links, they were very helpful.

[GRDadof3]

I was thinking that maybe its not HOB, but a counterpart, one of lesser known status. I don't agree though that GR can't support this venue, by the way. Thank you Dad for the links, they were very helpful.

Or he could just go independent like the ones I listed. I know what he's thinking though:

(I have to stop with the silly Paint stuff )

[NorthCoast]

Grand Rapids could very easily support a House of Blues. I ate at the one in Chicago and it was fantastic. Venues like the Intersection and Orbit Room already bring in a lot of bands but often don't have the space or the food to boot that a House of Blues does. I sell tickets to a lot of those shows via Ticketmaster at D&W and most of them don't have trouble selling out at all. That parking lot would be an absolutely great place to have an establishment like that. There is already a good amount of restaurants in that area, with the building of the Marriott there will be lots of hotel space, and the Van Andel Arena is right across the street.

[mejane]

I respectfully disagree that Grand Rapids could support a

HOB. For venues like this to succeed, they have to book

constantly - Chicago lists very few down nights, for

example, and GR has proven that it doesn't support

regional venues, unless you're talking about 'big-name'

talent, with lots of music industry investment and

backing, and those artists book into the larger venues

like The Van Andel Arena.

There just seems to be a lack of education and awareness

of how much really good music is out there. State Theatre

in Kazoo, The Pinnacle Center in Hudsonville, and even

Calvin College used to book really great music, but when

the economy tanked, they slowed down, and even before,

those are hard tickets to sell to all but the most dedicated.

Meijer Gardens does well in the summer, but it is my

experience that it is more the cool place to see and be seen

than it is for serious music lovers. So many internationally

respected artists have performed there to some of the rudest

audiences ever...lots of parading around in front of the stage,

talking and laughing over the performance, one person

even turned to ask at the Muddy Waters concert of

the two people on the front of the stage, one black,

one white, "which one is Muddy Waters?"

When the GR populace, (not just the younger generation

who will pay for emerging artists and cool bands at

The Intersection, or the older rockers who will pay

for tickets to the Arena) really begin to attend concerts

by amazing artists that don't get ClearChannel or

Citadel air play, then maybe a HOB or something like

it would stand a chance.

[GRDadof3]

I respectfully disagree that Grand Rapids could support a

HOB. For venues like this to succeed, they have to book

constantly - Chicago lists very few down nights, for

example, and GR has proven that it doesn't support

regional venues, unless you're talking about 'big-name'

talent, with lots of music industry investment and

backing, and those artists book into the larger venues

like The Van Andel Arena.

There just seems to be a lack of education and awareness

of how much really good music is out there. State Theatre

in Kazoo, The Pinnacle Center in Hudsonville, and even

Calvin College used to book really great music, but when

the economy tanked, they slowed down, and even before,

those are hard tickets to sell to all but the most dedicated.

Meijer Gardens does well in the summer, but it is my

experience that it is more the cool place to see and be seen

than it is for serious music lovers. So many internationally

respected artists have performed there to some of the rudest

audiences ever...lots of parading around in front of the stage,

talking and laughing over the performance, one person

even turned to ask at the Muddy Waters concert of

the two people on the front of the stage, one black,

one white, "which one is Muddy Waters?"

When the GR populace, (not just the younger generation

who will pay for emerging artists and cool bands at

The Intersection, or the older rockers who will pay

for tickets to the Arena) really begin to attend concerts

by amazing artists that don't get ClearChannel or

Citadel air play, then maybe a HOB or something like

it would stand a chance.

Whether it be HOB or an independent theatre, it sounds like it's going to happen.

[mejane]

Whether it be HOB or an independent theatre, it sounds like it's going to happen.

I hope it does and that it will be supported.

[GRDadof3]

I do too. Different from the State, Pinnacle Center and the Gardens Amphitheatre, it will probably be a good stop for convention goers and downtown visitors (as well as locals). Although Cleveland and Pittsburgh have lost several of their own similar venues lately.

[Prankster]

I remember a Press article written about a year ago quoting people with HOB that they would consider putting one in either Detroit or Grand Rapids. They wouldn't do both, because that would over saturate the market, with locations in Chicago, Cleveland, and a Michigan city. Not sure where they are in landing one at Ford Field, but it sounds like the negotiations are more ongoing there than here in GR.

As far as an independent theater, that would work well for us because it would be another venue to offer people a reason to come downtown. The more dates with events going on, the better for the overall health of downtown.

[GRguy]

Not sure whether I believe GR could support a HOB or not. Simply to give a little perspective, I went to the HOB in New Orleans last year (the mothership, I think). It was a week night, maybe 10:00, and the place was empty. Maybe 2 tables of people. We didn't stay. So, even a tourist mecca like the old NOLA would have down nights and they still survived.

[gvsusean]

There is an article about the expansion in the grbj!!! someone who has subscription please elaborate!!!

[GRDadof3]

The only thing additional in the article that I hadn't read is that it was originally going to be a 20,000 square foot theatre and "family style" restaurant with an investment of about $3 million. Now the LOT total is 31,345 sf and $5 million.

I guess when I think about the RESTAURANT portion of HOB in Chicago, it could be viewed as a "family style" restaurant. The main theatre upstairs is a bit more raucus

Parking Service Director Pam Ritsema said: "Surface lots are not viewed as the best use of land downtown" The chorus is growing.

[Rizzo]

Tones are finally achanging?! Hmm she gets it and so too the choir will follow.

[mgreven]

Since I just bumped the "Red Ball Jet" Cafe thread as I was thinking about it, I also started to think about this BOB expansion, where's this one at?