Massive Riverfront Project

[tringr]

This link explains real estate options... http://www.reiclub.com/articles/real-estate-options

This is pretty much to my previous undestanding. Fairly straightforward.

Why sign a Non disclosure agreement unless you also sign an option as an optioner (potential seller).

Those who are "holding out" must not have signed an option to sell to the developer(optionee). Something is goofy or else they could just announce what is happening, but they haven't.

[gvsusean]

What in the world could bring in 10,000 permanent jobs.... i know weve asked this before but, omg that is a s*** ton, i just cant get over that figue or these... 30 acres, kind of small... 1+ billion dollars, alot of money... 10000 jobs WOW

[MJLO]

So I guess i'm not clear, there are a few property owners holding out, all this media speculation, could derail the whole thing, because of sky rocketting real estate prices? So then, the original article that was in the Biz Journal, was a leak? Meaning, that grubb & ellis didn't want us to know about it yet?? What I understand to be true is that Grand Rapids is at the top of a list of cities, for whatever this may be, but right now our status is in jeopardy?

I don't understand how a couple weeks of speculation by the media could have thrown this into such a complex, if it were not headed that way already. We here at UP aren't to blame, we are here because we are such big fans of GR. We wouldn't do anything to jeopardize this. If local media, is seriously threatening FOIA that makes me mad. This is only in initial planning phases, if they were building something, and not saying anything, that would be different. But if a couple of property owners are being overly greedy, and want double what everyone else gets. I will be outraged. Businesses can be relocated, but if this is something serious, where the economic vitality of an entire region, comes into play. Then a couple of property owners could be potentially jeopardizing the economic stablity, and future stability of hundreds and thousands of people. I'll tell you right now. If this deal doesn't go thru, because of something like that. Those property owners will have to leave town for there own safety anyway. Because they'd have an entire region, angry at them.

[GRDadof3]

I would say on an issue as sensitive as this, which has so much riding on it, we should err on the side of caution. I'm going to personally stop speculating as to what this might be, and just wait. I have an obligation to the owners of this site to look out for its interest, and I don't want UP to be known as the "Big Spoiler".

Like Joe said, just let this thread work its way to the second page.

[ModSquad]

I would say on an issue as sensitive as this, which has so much riding on it, we should err on the side of caution. I'm going to personally stop speculating as to what this might be, and just wait. I have an obligation to the owners of this site to look out for its interest, and I don't want UP to be known as the "Big Spoiler".

Like Joe said, just let this thread work its way to the second page.

I agree, which is why I stopped posting on this subject a long time ago. Being in real estate development myself, I cannot imagine how hard it is going to be to wrap up these final properties with all of the media attention. Besides I know and have dealt with some of the hold-out property owners I have no desire to make them any richer.

[tringr]

I'll tell you right now. If this deal doesn't go thru, because of something like that. Those property owners will have to leave town for there own safety anyway. Because they'd have an entire region, angry at them.

Maybe the above quote is a reason why we SHOULD keep posting. Maybe the "holdouts" would read this and realize the storm that would follow if they were being too greedy. I'm 50/50 as to who is really holding this up. OR, rather, NOT holding up their end of the deal.

[grcitydog]

I don't think we should stop talking about this altogether; it's been fun to read the posts and speculate as to what the "big thing" might be. However, I agree with those who have more information to not post it until it is made public, I would hate to see UP become the source of a real leak.

[Rizzo]

I hear the peeps over at grad.org are discussing the very thing... Have they made the news yet?

[downhill-racer]

Got my advance copy of tomorrow's Business Journal, and Apparently a secret developer has been in negotiations with several different property owners near this property on the riverfront (mentioned here a while back): http://www.urbanplanet.org/forums/index.ph...7&hl=riverfront

I can't link to the article, and can't copy it, but speculation is flying with big words being dropped:

Deborah Shurlow is working on it

National developer

Have been working on this for a year

10,000 potential jobs!!

Mark London is guessing it might include an amusement park and/or casino, and he may sell his property

30 acres total are rumored to be under option, including the tire store and a bunch of properties on both sides of Market

Possible kayak park and marina

Words like "high-rise" residential/mixed-use

Terra Firma Eric is quoted and says he is under a confidentiality agreement, and was approached to sell

We were apparently RIGHT ON with our discussion on the city-owned 19 acres. Go buy the Business Journal. It's only $1.50.

Anyone want to speculate what the total package might be?

oh how things change with a little heat

"up" should be front page with the free flow of the truth

it's always easy to blame the media

[GRDadof3]

With one click of a button, this entire thread is history. I'd rather it not come to that.

If you guys have a problem with how your public officials are handling this deal, then you need to go talk to THEM about it.

[Rizzo]

Jeff its ok. We can take a print screen of it and put it into the UP - GR hall of fame. I say let it go and throw it away. Its not like anything in the thread is worth keeping except the momory of the amasing response from the community. It will go into history.

[blueradon]

I hate to kinda say I told you so but I remember saying before that I hope the media doesn't try to get so stinkin nosy about this thing and starts to cause problems.

[GRDadof3]

I guess I just can't be direct enough on this.