People talking about Grand Rapids

[GRDadof3]

11 hours ago, The ATX said:

I know , every city makes it on a Travel Channel food/drink episode eventually.  But today I watched an episode about America's brew cities, and there was a nice episode about G.R. that featured Founders.  That's definitely one of the places I'm visiting on my next trip back home.

Was it this one?

https://www.travelchannel.com/videos/bold-brews-at-founders-0217873

 

[The ATX]

6 hours ago, GRDadof3 said:

Was it this one?

https://www.travelchannel.com/videos/bold-brews-at-founders-0217873

 

No, it was a different one.  The one I saw emphasized the food at founders as much as the beer, and it wasn't filmed in the winter.

[GVSUChris]

I honestly had no idea where to post this. I'm having a hard time imagining the importance/impact of this but I suppose it'll be a great addition to downtown and continue to make it feel vibrant. 

http://www.woodtv.com/news/grand-rapids/love-sculpture-being-installed-in-gr/1166852714

http://www.grbj.com/articles/90613-foundation-unveiling-sculpture-downtown

[joeDowntown]

That’s pretty cool. I always wondered if that spot would ever get a permanent art piece. The more permanent art the better IMHO .

And I can only imagine this will eclipse blue bridge as the #1 spot for selfies/prom photos!

Joe

[GR_Urbanist]

It needs to be Calder Orange.

[GRDadof3]

3 hours ago, joeDowntown said:

That’s pretty cool. I always wondered if that spot would ever get a permanent art piece. The more permanent art the better IMHO .

And I can only imagine this will eclipse blue bridge as the #1 spot for selfies/prom photos!

Joe

The Blue Bridge might win out, because I saw that the parking ramp behind Plaza Towers is getting a massive mural painted on the whole thing. Anyone have pictures? 

[joeDowntown]

Dedicated today. 

[mpchicago]

......It's what makes a Subaru, a Subaru.

[wingbert]

[ZAP!]

20 hours ago, joeDowntown said:

Dedicated today. 

I've been sitting on a bench next to the sculpture for about half an hour and seen maybe ten people take photos, and three people climb it.

[GRDadof3]

This is a fascinating article. Grand Rapids is only slightly behind Detroit in total value of real estate (commercial and residential assessed values). This is for "cities" and not metro areas. Interestingly AA is on the top of the list, followed by the city of Troy. 

https://www.bridgemi.com/economy/property-values-roar-back-michigan-many-communities-left-behind

[GRDadof3]

Dannnnggg:

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/homes-market-selling-just-fast-bay-area-174345764.html

“Homes in Grand Rapids are selling as fast as homes in the Bay Area,” said Redfin Chief Economist Nela Richardson, citing its strong economy and high demand. Homes in both Grand Rapids and San Jose spent nine median days on the market.

 

[ctpgr34]

Crain's Detroit - http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20180520/news/660851/from-distillery-to-health-care-and-it-entrepreneurs-find-success-in#utm_medium=email&utm_source=cdb-michmorning&utm_campaign=cdb-michmorning-20180521

[walker]

Nothing we didn't already know but The Economist visits Tulip Time and discovers that the Dutch around here are not like the Dutch back in Europe:

The most conservative Americans, the most liberal Europeans

Edited June 7, 2018 by walker
for clarity

[thebeerqueer]

On 6/1/2018 at 10:41 PM, walker said:

Nothing we didn't already know but The Economist discovers that the Dutch around here are not like the Dutch back in Europe, and they visit Tulip Time:

The most conservative Americans, the most liberal Europeans

Not news to anyone that's lived in the area for more than a year or two. Having worked in Holland for a decade, as an out and proud queer person, I'll say Holland is better than it was back when I started working here but I couldn't imagine living here. I'm sure there's a queer community that supports each other but it's certainly not visible. 

[The ATX]

A Grand Rapids Planet Fitness is in the news...

More at Fox17

[Guest]

Saw this.  Absolute trash person.  I feel bad for the guy, but that left hook made me laugh.

[joeDowntown]

No judgment zone?

[goatstare]

I was at a Planet Fitness in Traverse City like a month ago and my door tapped this woman's car and she came out to yell at me and I was like "sorry, bro" and then she was like "HOW ABOUT EMPATHY FOR ME???!!!" and I was like, "WTF lady." 

[GRDadof3]

Wow, OK back on topic guys and gals. 

[walker]

I can't find it but I'd swear that Aaron Renn  wrote this same article on his blog, urbanophile, five or six years ago.  He's just expanded and updated it a bit here in this recent article in City Journal:

city journal - manufacturing comeback

Edited July 16, 2018 by walker

[ChevalierNoir]

My mom, who grew up in GR but now lives in Northern Virginia, texted me about a show on the cooking channel called "Cheap Eats." She said they featured Donkey Taqueria, The Winchester, and Stella's Lounge on tonight's episode.

[walker]

We've known for some time that that real estate was hot in GR, but who would have guessed that KENTWOOD has the hottest real estate market in the U.S.?  

USATODAY: hottest-housing-markets-u-s

Edited September 27, 2018 by walker

[GR_Urbanist]

Quote

The neighborhood offers strong schools, tree-lined streets

Maybe someone should first tell them that Kentwood is mostly subdivisions, unconnected roads, non-walkable, and full of ranch houses that haven't been renovated since the 80s?

 

But I suppose if you need to live in the GR area, and cant afford GR, you go for what you can get.

[joeDowntown]

2 hours ago, GR_Urbanist said:

Maybe someone should first tell them that Kentwood is mostly subdivisions, unconnected roads, non-walkable, and full of ranch houses that haven't been renovated since the 80s?

 

But I suppose if you need to live in the GR area, and cant afford GR, you go for what you can get.

I think someone predicted Kentwood to be a hot market. It makes sense that if the price skyrocketing, people might take a look at Kentwood. As far as "ranches that haven't been renovated since the 80s", that's ripe to change if first time home buyers move in and start making upgrades. I'd love to see Kentwood "bounce back" a bit. It used to be THE place to live back in the heyday of Steelcase (1980's?).

Joe