Development News

Kent County Recycling Center in Grand Rapids adds education component, sort-free recycling

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June 17, 2010

Deborah Johnson WoodThe next school environmental class to tour the new $11.5 million Kent County Recycling and Education Center will learn about the county's upcoming new single-stream recycling method from a bird's-eye view of the action – a catwalk that extends over the sorting equipment. The new center at 977 Wealthy St. SW is nearly complete, and work crews are training on the new sorting equipment, says Dennis Kmiecik, Kent County's solid waste division director. "The schools are emphasizing recycling in their curriculum," he says. "We got overwhelmed with tours in our old facility (322 Bartlett SW). So in the new facility we invested in a classroom that can seat 80 people and has all the new technology."Interior windows allow students to observe workers and equipment from the classroom. What they'll see will be state-of-the-art sorting equipment that can handle a much higher capacity of recycled waste than the current equipment, all sorting from a single stream that contains plastic, glass, metal and paper waste products.With single-stream, Kent County residents and businesses will no longer need to sort recyclables into separate bins, but can place them all in one cart they can wheel to the curb. Kmiecik expects the city of Grand Rapids to offer 30-, 68- and 90-gallon carts, free. Individual haulers outside the city will determine what carts to offer customers and the cost, if any. The change will take place mid-July, with how-to information available within the next week or so, Kmiecik says. The new process should reduce the recycle center's operating expenses, but Kmiecik isn't making predictions on how much. "We were running 13 hours a day, six days a week, with 90 to 100 community service workers each day," he says. "Now it will be eight hours a day, five days a week with a minimum of 20 people."Kmiecik hopes the new process will mean more people will recycle. He says Grand Rapids has a 45 percent residential recycling rate; countywide the number is only 20 percent. Source: Dennis Kmiecik, Kent County Recycling and Education CenterDeborah Johnson Wood is development news editor for Rapid Growth Media. She can be contacted at deborah@rapidgrowthmedia.com. Development News tips can be sent to info@rapidgrowthmedia.com.

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Kendall College in Grand Rapids plans $29M expansion into Old Federal Building

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Arts & Culture

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June 10, 2010

Deborah Johnson WoodPlans are far from complete, but officials at Kendall College of Art and Design say they're working to get approvals by summer's end for a $27.9 million reconfiguration of the Old Federal Building into a creative space where the college, the public and the arts intersect."Kendall is growing and like any flourishing college involved with the arts, creative space is so important," says John Willey, Ferris State University's vice president for university advancement and marketing. Kendall is Ferris State's creative arts and design college."For about seven years we've been thinking about how we could expand in a meaningful way," he says. "Because of the federal building's proximity to Kendall (17 Fountain St. NW) and to our other building at 25 Lyon, we're thinking it would help connect several pieces that we're trying to do with Kendall College in downtown Grand Rapids."Preliminary plans include a studio for ceramics and sculpture, another for metal sculpture, classrooms and lecture spaces, and "significant public areas where the public can come in and engage art and be part of a vivacious creative enterprise," says Willey. Those public areas may include a restaurant or café. "We hope to have a major space dedicated to sustainable design," Willey adds. Ferris recently added a sustainable design degree to its list of course offerings. A component of the coursework takes place at Kendall, which Willey says will move the college's expertise in forward-thinking furniture design to the larger built environment."Higher education is one of our core anchors of downtown and having creative young people occupying that building is a great extension on Kendall's and Ferris' presence here," says Jay Fowler, executive director of Grand Rapids' Downtown Development Authority. The federal government transferred ownership of the building to the city of Grand Rapids when the Grand Rapids Art Museum planned to move into the space in the early '80s, says Fowler. GRAM relocated to 101 Monroe Center in 2007, leaving the building vacant,Kendall is jumping some complicated financial hurdles to purchase the building. However, because of the building's historical significance, the federal government will have the final say on changes to the structure.Source: John Willey, Ferris State University; Jay Fowler, Grand Rapids Downtown Development AuthorityDeborah Johnson Wood is development news editor for Rapid Growth Media. She can be contacted at deborah@rapidgrowthmedia.com. Development News tips can be sent to info@rapidgrowthmedia.com.

Proposed Grand Rapids skate park ramps up for development in Clemente Park

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Development

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May 27, 2010

Deborah Johnson WoodThe development of a skate park in Grand Rapids got the signal to start rolling when the Grand Rapids City Commission approved the proposal at Tuesday's commission meeting. A committee of the Sixth Street Bridge Community Coalition worked for several months with the city's Parks & Recreation department to develop the proposed Clemente Skate Park in an underused area of Clemente Park, 546 Rumsey SW. "The part of the park near B Street has a tennis court that hasn't been used for probably 10 years," says Chris Gray, committee chair of the coalition. "It's close enough to downtown and it's just unused, with lots of trees."Gray is quick to point out that the north portion of Clemente Park will remain as is, with actively used soccer fields. He also notes that skate park plans are in the beginning stages and the planning group still needs to raise some $350,000 for the project. Preliminary plans are to incorporate different styles of skate parks by connecting paved paths that stretch over rolling, shaded terrain to pods of activity, such as ramps and a concrete bowl. "One of the big parts of our plan is to keep the area as is by not removing any of the living trees," he says. "We want to keep it really wooded to keep it a unique park, and we want it to be a park that people want to go to for other things like biking and walking."Gray, a photographer and artist, designs apparel for Premier Skateboarding, a supporter of his work with the skate park. He hopes to feature urban art in the park. Another aspect could include providing a small garden space for nearby Southwest Community Campus school. Construction on the park could begin in early 2011.A June 20 kickoff celebration at Rosa Parks Circle will include skateboard competitions, giveaways and opportunities for participants and spectators to contribute toward the skate park's development fund.Source: Chris Gray, Clemente Skate ParkDeborah Johnson Wood is development news editor for Rapid Growth Media. She can be contacted at deborah@rapidgrowthmedia.com. Development News tips can be sent to info@rapidgrowthmedia.com.

Madison Square Church undertakes $1.3M renovation of former caster shop

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Arts & Culture

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May 27, 2010

Deborah Johnson WoodGrand Rapids' Madison Square Church is in the throes of renovating a $1.3 million former caster factory into a space where its youth group can give musical and dramatic performances and spend time socializing in a casual, Christian environment.The building at 1401 Madison Ave. SE, dubbed Madison Place, is just a few doors north of the church. Communications Manager Bill Wiarda says the undertaking is in answer to God's call for the church community to take the gospel to the city. "Our pastor David Beelen took a sabbatical in 2006 to do some planning, and when he came back, we developed this idea we call Making Room – New Faces, New Places to meet people where they are. There was a lot of redevelopment and revitalization in the neighborhood at that time, so we bought the building."Volunteers from the congregation worked together to demolish parts of the interior. Wiarda says that once construction is finished, the 8,500-square-foot main level will feature a multipurpose room complete with a stage, sound system, lighting and projection for the youth group; a game room; offices for the youth department; and a kitchen that will supplement the full service kitchen in the church, when needed. A food pantry, currently housed at Restorers, Inc., 1413 Madison Ave. SE, will have a dedicated space with greater food storage capacity, freezers and refrigerators and direct access from outside. One surprising feature is a planned woodworking shop for the church's Cadets group of fourth through sixth grade boys. "They meet once a week to do woodworking projects," Wiarda says. "Right now they meet in the church office basement, which is really cramped. The new space will have equipment and improved ventilation."Source: Bill Wiarda, Madison Square ChurchDeborah Johnson Wood is development news editor for Rapid Growth Media. She can be contacted at deborah@rapidgrowthmedia.com. Development News tips can be sent to info@rapidgrowthmedia.com.

Grand River Music to expand from on-line business to a brick-and-mortar store in Eastown

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Development News

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May 13, 2010

Terry Poe, owner of the successful Grand River Music online business, is preparing to play to a new kind of customer. He's reaching out to the retail crowd by expanding his cyber business to a brick-and-mortar company situated in a renovated building in East Hills.

Grand Rapids Bike Park combines grand opening with Mayor’s Bike Ride, park cleanup

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Arts & Culture

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May 13, 2010

Deborah Johnson WoodThe rollers and berms on the pump track are in place, ready for the inaugural ride of Mayor George Heartwell during the Grand Rapids Bike Park grand opening Saturday, May 15. The mayor will lead his annual family-fun Mayor's Bike Ride after a morning of park cleanup by Friends of Grand Rapids Parks volunteers. The pump track, designed with mogul-like rollers, keeps a rider's momentum going without pedaling. But more than that, the track teaches balance and turning skills mountain bikers need to know, says Nate Phelps, president of the Michigan Mountain Biking Association. Phelps approached the city of Grand Rapids four years ago with the idea to create the urban bike park. The park, 580 Kirtland SW, is the only urban mountain bike park in the Midwest, Phelps says. Its design focuses on tracks and trails that help beginning mountain bikers learn basic skills and challenge experienced riders who want to build up speed and agility.Two additional tracks, The Bob Loop named after bike park volunteer Bob Zeilman and a beginner loop, are under construction but will have sections done for the grand opening for visitors to experience. "The Bob Loop is in the Plaster Creek riparian corridor, so we're making use of the unique terrain next to the creek," says Phelps. "The Bob Loop undulates with small climbs, but it's mostly about flow with big wide turns and a great line of sight with nothing hidden." Future plans include adding challenges like a mock log pile and stair steps, re"cycling" the concrete from the park's former baseball dugouts into raised tracks, and more riding loops. The grand opening celebration begins at 9 a.m. with a two-hour park cleanup open to anyone who wants to help (bring gloves), followed by a ribbon cutting at 11 a.m., the Mayor's Bike Ride and a ride down the Plaster Creek Trail. Source: Nate Phelps, Grand Rapids Bike Park and Michigan Mountain Biking Association Deborah Johnson Wood is development news editor for Rapid Growth Media. She can be contacted at deborah@rapidgrowthmedia.com. Development News tips can be sent to info@rapidgrowthmedia.com.

Faith House opening in August in Grand Rapids to help men with developmental disabilities

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Development News

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May 13, 2010

Grand Rapids will boast a new home for individuals with developmental disabilities this August, thanks primarily to the efforts of a Marne woman who saw a need in the community for special homes to house adults with special needs.

Kent County plans $26 million jail renovation, replacement of outdated facilities

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Development

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May 6, 2010

Deborah Johnson WoodKent County plans to demolish and rebuild several outdated buildings on its campus at 701 Ball Ave. using $26 million in millage funds approved in November 2009. The outdated buildings, constructed in the 1950s through 1970s, have no fire suppression sprinkling systems and contain antiquated heating systems and corroded cast iron plumbing, says Kent County Undersheriff Jon Hess. The maximum security area, one of the areas scheduled for renovation, now consists of "linear supervision" units: cells and cell blocks aligned in a row and patrolled every hour by a guard. "The current trend is direct or indirect supervision where inmates live in pods," Hess says. "The officer works in the pod and is right in there with the inmates, so there are no gaps in supervision."A 1992 addition has the pod style environment. Six new pods will be added and double-bunking in the cells will increase the number of beds from 1,215 to about 1,275. "Adding the pods will limit the movement of inmates, making the facility safer for everyone," Hess says. "Inmates eat in the pods, they have recreation activities there, they see medical personnel there and have school or church there."The renovation includes a new audio/visual system for visitations. Visitors will no longer have to enter through a metal detector and inmates will remain in their pods. The visits will take place via computer cameras and monitors set up in the visiting area and in the pods. "This has been successful around the country and we're encouraging attorneys, ministers, counselors, and other professionals to buy the software so they can visit the inmate without having to leave their offices," Hess says.The project breaks ground May 20. Tower Pinkster is the architect. Owens-Ames-Kimball is construction manager.Source: Jon Hess, Kent County Sheriff's OfficeDeborah Johnson Wood is development news editor for Rapid Growth Media. She can be contacted at deborah@rapidgrowthmedia.com. Development News tips can be sent to info@rapidgrowthmedia.com.

Hands on Hunger to grow fresh veggies at Blandford Nature Center for those in need

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Development News

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May 6, 2010

Deborah Johnson WoodTim Emmerson has a plan for providing fresh, locally grown vegetables to soup kitchens in Greater Grand Rapids, and he's starting with Matthew's House Ministry where he volunteers as a cook and gives free meals to those in need. Emmerson says that this year he and volunteers will grow the first Hands On Hunger Garden in two leased garden plots at Blandford Nature Center in Grand Rapids, using donated plants from Koetsier's Greenhouse and William Bos Greenhouse & Farm. "I purchase food from Feeding America West Michigan to make meals for the homeless, but I spend more money out of pocket to buy veggies than to buy meat," says Emmerson, 26. "Fresh vegetables are the most important for meals, and I thought, let's grow the stuff ourselves."So Emmerson launched Hands On Hunger whose parent company is the 6th Street Bridge Community Coalition, a nonprofit he founded to help immigrants become naturalized citizens. "I got connected with a mobile pantry guy, John Arnold, the executive director of Feeding America West Michigan Food Bank," says Emmerson about his inspiration for feeding the hungry. "We had our first mobile food pantry at St. James Church last December and handed out about 5,000 pounds of food."The plan is to start small with the Hands On Hunger Garden by planting cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, onions, herbs and tomatoes – the most common ingredients for soups and chili. Beyond that, Emmerson will plant sweet corn in his mother's garden in Jenison and hopes to secure additional garden space donated by area residents. Additionally, he says that if area gardeners will participate in Plant a Row For The Hungry, Hands On Hunger volunteers will get that produce to area soup kitchens where it's needed. Source: Tim Emmerson, Hands On Hunger Deborah Johnson Wood is development news editor for Rapid Growth Media. She can be contacted at deborah@rapidgrowthmedia.com. Development News tips can be sent to info@rapidgrowthmedia.com.

Two immigrant family members partner to open Chicago Style Gyros eatery on Grand Rapids’ Westside

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Development News

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April 29, 2010

Two family members from the Middle East have teamed up to establish a new restaurant they've named "Chicago Style Gyros" on the Westside of Grand Rapids. The small diner was so popular during its first weekend of business that it ran out of key ingredients to prepare some of its tasty dishes.