By: Deborah Johnson Wood
Pedestrian-scale construction, land re-use, proximity to transit routes, and shared parking behind - as opposed to in front of - the building are the 'New Urbanist' features incorporated into a new project at one of Grand Rapids' busiest intersections. The one-story building at the corner of Michigan and Fuller will house the Subway restaurant currently located right next door and a new Beaner's Gourmet Coffee location.
Although the crossroads has undergone a major overhaul in recent years with two new gas stations and a renovated dry cleaning store, much of the land still has acres of surface parking lots and outdated buildings.
But Gus and Ann Afendoulis are affecting change, just like Gus, 84, and his late brothers, George and Sam, did in 1945 when they built Afendoulis Dry Cleaners on the adjacent property.
"When they decided to build there, people said, 'Why are you moving way out in the country?'" says Steve Afendoulis. Steve, an attorney, is Gus and Ann's son, and assisting with the new project.
The property is the site of the old Glass Hut restaurant, a popular hamburger joint and hangout established by Sam Afendoulis in 1961. In 2005, the building was demolished and replaced with a temporary parking lot until construction began.
Next door, the Subway restaurant is in a former gas station, property owned by Gus Afendoulis. The restaurant remains open during construction. In November, Subway's new restaurant will open for business and crews will tear down the old gas station.
The new $600,000, 3,700-square-foot building will be brick with storefront windows facing Michigan Street. A stone inset will commemorate the Afendoulis brothers.
Source: Steve Afendoulis
Photo of Gus Afendoulis and construction worker courtesy of Steve Afendoulis
Deborah Johnson Wood is development news editor for Rapid Growth. She can be contacted at [email protected].
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