Construction

Proposed $30M downtown Grand Rapids market far from sealed and delivered, but moving forward

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August 19, 2010

Deborah Johnson WoodThe development of a proposed $30 million year-round urban market for downtown Grand Rapids is far from sealed and delivered, but the group behind the idea says the project is closer to being signed.The proposed project would convert six historic buildings on Ionia Avenue SW between Wealthy and Logan streets into a 178,000-square-foot mixed-use marketplace. A March 2010 public document, Grand Rapids Urban Market: Background Information, states the initial concept envisions restaurants, indoor vendor stalls for independent owner-operated businesses selling fresh produce, baked goods, cheeses and meats, and a leasable commercial kitchen incubator space. David Frey, co-chair of Grand Action with John Canepa and Dick DeVos, the group that spearheaded the development of the Van Andel Arena and DeVos Place, says architects are drawing up preliminary plans while crews are busy cleaning up the property.The Downtown Development Authority owns the property, the site of the old Sonneveldt Produce Company. Frey says it "will probably be owned by a newly created nonprofit entity, but it's still in negotiation. There are no guarantees (for development of the market)." Frey estimates the project at $27 million, plus an estimated $3 million for the 3.5-acre parcel."Engineers are determining if the buildings are structurally sound," says Frey. "If you drive by this week you'll see that crews are cleaning up the site so we can see what we have to deal with.""We not only have to design a great facility we can afford to build and run, but we have to be sure the surrounding area is developed with activities compatible with an urban market and not have a contrary purpose or intent," Frey says. "The nearby Kingman's and Baker Furniture buildings would have to be developed in an architecturally- and content-compatible manner." Grand Action hired Design Plus and urban market design expert Hugh Boyd of Montclair, N.J. for the project. Frey expects to see the architects' design concept in early September.Source: David Frey, Grand ActionDeborah 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.

Latest in Construction

Grand Valley, DeVries Development come to terms on Grand Rapids property for Seidman College

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August 19, 2010

Deborah Johnson WoodGrand Valley State University and DeVries Development Properties, Inc. have come to terms regarding the purchase of property in downtown Grand Rapids for GVSU's Seidman College of Business. The Board of Trustees approved a $4.42 million buy/sell agreement for the property and building at 22 and 38 Front Ave.An existing building on the property is in poor condition and will be demolished. A state-of-the-art facility will take its place.Seidman College of Business has 3,500 students and 140 faculty members, says Dean H. James Williams. The college shares a crowded space with other departments in the Richard M. DeVos Center on GVSU's Pew Campus. "This will give us a front door to the community," Williams says. "They'll recognize that it's the Seidman College of Business, and that helps us move to the next level in quality."We plan to include a trading room with the technology to allow students to trade stocks and bonds in real time," he says. "We also want classrooms set up for team collaboration so when students go out into the working world they'll know how to work in collaboration."The Small Business and Technology Development Center, Van Andel Global Trades, the Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation and other groups will share space so they can "recognize some synergies they otherwise wouldn't be able to recognize," Williams says. The new facility will honor the legacy of L. William Seidman, GVSU's founder, who died in May of 2009. The college launched a $35 million capital campaign in September. The project architects are Integrated Architecture and Robert A. M. Stern Architects.Construction begins next year with proposed completion in 2013. Source: H. James Williams, Seidman College of Business; GVnow.comDeborah 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.

Eco-friendly dentist turns downtown Zeeland buildings into dental office, retail, and living space

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August 12, 2010

Deborah Johnson WoodTwo side-by-side buildings in downtown Zeeland have been transformed into two boutique-sized retail spaces, a residential condo, and a new dental office suite for a new dental practice, Smedley Dental.Meredith Smedley, D.D.S., who bills herself as an eco-friendly dentist, and her husband Shane, bought 131 and 133 E. Main Ave. with a plan to convert one building to her dental office, the other to retail. But those plans changed when they discovered that the front portion of both buildings had to be dedicated to retail. "About two years ago, the city passed an ordinance that requires the front 40 percent of a building downtown to be retail space," says Abigail de Roo, city of Zeeland marketing director. So Smedley and Grand Rapids architect David Maxam made new plans. "We have two retail bays up front that we will eventually lease out," Smedley says. "We took the back portion of both buildings for the dental office. There are already two apartments upstairs and we will combine them and that's where my family and I will live." The Smedley's have two daughters, ages five and three.This is Smedley's first solo practice, although she's been a dentist in Zeeland for over six years. Her goal is to make the waiting room look and feel like a living room to help patients relax, and she also aims to run an eco-conscious business. Besides carpet and countertops made from recycled materials and the use of no-VOC (volatile organic compounds) paints and adhesives, Smedley plans to use as many reusable dental products as possible, such as headrest covers and drinking cups. She will also install special water filters that will filter out the mercury found in silver amalgam material used to fill cavities in teeth, and will let patients choose whether they want to use the amalgam or another less harmful filling material. "We're trying to be as eco-friendly as possible," Smedley says. "We want to be comforting and nurturing and make the experience very different than a typical dentist office."Source: Meredith Smedley, D.D.S, Smedley Dental; Abigail de Roo, City of ZeelandDeborah 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.

Fresh fruit and vegetable market ready to open in Grand Rapids’ Alger Heights

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Development

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August 12, 2010

Deborah Johnson WoodKen Courts has 25 years of running Ionia's successful McCord's Farm Market in the bag, and now he and his son Aaron Courts are ready to open a similar fresh fruit and vegetable market in the former Alger Heights Foods location, 2420 Eastern Ave. SE, Grand Rapids. Ken Courts, 48, sold his part of McCord's, and moved to Florida for five years where he owned a construction company. When the economy tanked, he closed the construction company and came back to Michigan looking for the right place to open Ken's Fruit Market. "When I was in Florida, I was looking online and talking to realtors in Grand Rapids, Lansing and Detroit because I wanted the market to be in one of those cities," says Courts. "Grand Rapids and Detroit have real good wholesale markets, and I knew Grand Rapids because I was born here and lived here for 10 years of my life. "The neighborhood is real diverse ethnically, and that's important to this kind of business," he says. Besides fresh produce, Ken's Fruit Market will offer milk, bread, cheese, canned goods, bulk candies, and trail mix bought in bulk and packaged at the store. There will also be a selection of wild birdseed.Courts plans to add a butcher shop in the near future. In the meantime, he'll sell packaged meats and poultry. Courts and his staff have begun stocking the market with non-perishables while waiting for the final okay from city inspectors to open the doors on Thursday, August 12. He's optimistic that everything will be on schedule."We will get produce late Wednesday night, and will come in about 3 a.m. on Thursday morning and start putting it all out," he says. Store hours will be 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.Source: Ken Courts, Ken's Fruit MarketDeborah 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.

Total renovation means new image, new restaurant for downtown Grand Rapids hotel

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August 12, 2010

Deborah Johnson WoodGrand Rapids' Courtyard by Marriott Downtown recently wrapped up a $3 million renovation, bringing the hotel into the 21st Century. The renovation is part of a chain-wide upgrade that Marriott hopes will attract today's business travelers. The total revamp of the hotel, 11 Monroe NW, includes a new restaurant and bar called The Bistro – Eat. Drink. Connect. The Bistro is an extension of the lobby and offers a casual meeting spot to enjoy a craft beer, or a place to get a tasty wrap sandwich or Starbucks coffee on the go. All 214 guest rooms were renovated and now have mini refrigerators and a jack pack that connects laptops and iPods to a 37-inch HD flat screen television. In the lobby, visitors will find staff seated at individual pods, instead of standing behind an imposing front desk. A 55-inch LCD interactive touch screen, dubbed the GoBoard, provides flight information, restaurant locations, news, sports headlines and maps to local attractions. Wireless Internet access throughout the building and work areas in the lobby allow guests to catch up on work without being isolated in their rooms. "Marriott realized they have been looking for this customer from the '80s and the face of business has changed," says General Manager Mike Donnelly. "So they scrapped everything and started over."Donnelly says that since July 21, customer satisfaction is up almost 20 percent. The Amway Hotel Corporation owns the hotel, the J.W. Marriott and the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel. All are connected by a climate controlled Skywalk that also connects to DeVos Place convention center, the Van Andel Arena, shopping and restaurants. "The Marriott transformation completes our eleven-hundred-room concept for downtown," Donnelly says. "The Courtyard was the missing link in being able to offer three different price points and three different amenity levels. And that is so appealing to groups."Source: Mike Donnelly, Courtyard by MarriottDeborah 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.

Remodel of former Davenport Grand Rapids campus brings innovative classrooms to GRCC students

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Development News

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August 12, 2010

Deborah Johnson WoodGrand Rapids Community College didn't have much opportunity to renovate any of the former downtown Grand Rapids campus of Davenport University before students occupied some of the classrooms last year. This year is a different story. GRCC purchased the campus for $9.5 million in 2009, after Davenport announced its move to property in Caledonia. This summer, the three-story Sneden Hall, 415 E. Fulton St., has received new infrastructure, HVAC, new décor, wireless Internet technology and new technology in the classrooms.The most exciting development for faculty and students is the installation of Steelcase's LearnLab Environment in two classrooms, which could have a significant positive impact on how students learn. The technology includes the CopyCam Image Capturing System and the eno Interactive White Board."Tables are arranged in a five-point starfish design," says Vicki Janowiak, GRCC's executive director of operational planning. "There are three points around the room where images will be projected on mounted screens. From any point in the room any student can easily connect with the images.""We can capture digital images of any work students may do on any of the white boards around the room, the instructor can load it to Blackboard and the students can use the image to expand on their own work," Janowiak says. The technology also enables users to instantly email the work from any white board, print it or save it to flash drive or a LAN. Eno Boards act as a white board, magnetic board and multimedia projection screen and enable users to make notes on a projected image and save everything to post, print, email or project later to continue working. GRCC plans to conduct a research study on the effectiveness of the new concept. Source: Vicki Janowiak, Grand Rapids Community CollegeRelated ArticlesGRCC purchases former Davenport University for $9.5M, saves $25.5M compared to building newDeborah 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 Rapids Salvation Army Kroc Center fills first of 65 jobs, announces others

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August 5, 2010

Deborah Johnson WoodThe Salvation Army has filled the first handful of the 65 new jobs expected at its new multi-million dollar Ray & Joan Kroc Corps Community Center, and has announced that several more positions are ready to be filled. The $26 million Kroc center, 2500 S. Division Ave., Grand Rapids, has a public open house planned for Saturday, October 23 and hopes to have most of the new employees in place soon. The center, located on 20 acres, will offer dozens of activities for children and adults, including performing arts, aquatics, worship opportunities, cooking classes and a number of outdoor activities ranging from a summertime ropes course to a water slide that becomes a sledding hill in winter."We're posting (new positions) on our web site every week until they are filled," says Stephanie Denton, who is a new hire herself, filling the marketing, membership and public relations director slot. Other management, including program director, facilities director and operations director, has also been hired. "Some positions will require special certification," Denton adds. "For example, the aquatics manager would need CPR and lifeguarding certification, and we're looking for some degreed individuals."The center is filling management positions first, says Denton. Those jobs include recreation manager, aquatics manager, assistant facility director, education manager and health and wellness manager. One fun job requires a candidate with a knack for schmoozing: that of R.J. Kroc, the Kroc Center's mascot performer."The mascot performer wears the R.J. Kroc costume, which is a giant crocodile," Denton says. "We want them to be out and about in the community, to be the walking logo of the Kroc Center at special events, birthday parties and Whitecaps games."Hiring for a variety of part-time positions – front desk coordinators, food service, janitorial and worship staff – will take place closer to the center's opening.Source: Stephanie Denton, Ray & Joan Kroc Corps Community CenterRelated Articles Salvation Army awarded $1M challenge grant to complete South Division $25M Kroc Center$30 Million Kroc center expected to spur Burton Heights redevelopmentSalvation Army's new Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center looks to fill 65 new jobsDeborah 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.

Local developers eye vacant Eastown storefront for Grand Rapids’ brewpub

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August 5, 2010

Deborah Johnson WoodIt's been vacant for over a decade, but the eyesore at 1551 Lake Dr. SE in Grand Rapids' Eastown could soon be an intimate brewpub cooking up unique libations like Crossroads Pale Ale and Grand Rapids Red Wheat. Brothers Barry and Jackson VanDyke and their sister Heather VanDyke-Titus bought the former Jack's Liquor and plan to create Harmony Brewing Company under their development company Bear Manor Properties. The trio is known for its hand in developing The Electric Cheetah, Brick Road Pizza and The Meanwhile bar."The small scale of this building allows us to do what's in essence glorified home brewing," says Barry VanDyke. He and Jackson have been home brewers for 10 years and will move their expertise to the brewery. "We're not going to be a big brewery, but will be a brewpub, brewing only for consumption on-site."The property is a 1920s house with a separate liquor store added to the front in 1933 – the year Prohibition ended. The place has been gutted, exposing the house's façade on the interior wall of the former liquor store. That section will have customer seating and a small bar, with additional seating in the house's living and dining rooms.Perhaps the most intriguing part of the renovation will be the brewery itself."We're going to completely cut out the floor in the kitchen, so from the basement you'll be able to see the ceiling of the kitchen," says Barry VanDyke. "We'll stack in our brew kettle and mash tun and will be piping the brew up to a hallway where we'll have seven fermentation tanks."VanDyke says the place will have an atmosphere more like a coffee shop than a pub, with the intention of being a family-friendly hangout that also serves ice cream and homemade root beer. A lunch and dinner menu will include garden-inspired dishes, salads and breads. Special "tasting plates" will be designed to be paired with specific beers.Previous plans for a rooftop deck have been nixed in deference to the wishes of neighbors. To-date, the Grand Rapids Planning Commission has approved the project, and the Uptown Corridor Improvement District board has given its okay to pursue a liquor license, VanDyke says. The project still has to get the go-ahead from the Grand Rapids City Commission, the state and the federal government, but VanDyke is optimistic for a late spring 2011 opening.Source: Barry VanDyke, Bear Manor PropertiesDeborah 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.

Sneak peek at $90M Secchia Center, Michigan State University’s med school in Grand Rapids

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August 5, 2010

Deborah Johnson WoodMembers of the media received a sneak peak at the completed Secchia Center, the new home of Michigan State University's College of Human Medicine. The tour showcased one of the most advanced – and beautiful – energy-efficient structures in West Michigan. Construction of the $90 million state-of-the-art facility strategically situates the building at 15 Michigan St. NE, Grand Rapids, to maximize exposure to daylight and views of the city and Grand River. A four-story atrium faces west with windows that frame nearby Bridgewater Place like a photograph. "This is the 'living room' of the building," says Elizabeth Lawrence, assistant dean and project lead for the Secchia Center. "This is the focal point where students will gather."Honey-colored wood, custom designed tile art, sage greens and burnt oranges fill the 180,000-square-foot building with warmth. Daylight streams through the windows, and a smart lighting system illuminates spaces only when light levels are low. The building features 25 "exam rooms" where students learn how to interact with patients by "treating" standardized patients – actors hired to follow a script of medical maladies. Several empty rooms will be configured to fit the needs of the students and can simulate a room in a nursing home, a patient's house or a hospital. The pristine lines of a five-story wood and glass staircase zigzag upward through the center of the building, open from top to bottom, creating an eye-catching sculptural effect. On each floor, study pods, open spaces with comfortable couches, and alcoves with tables and chairs provide communal and semi-private areas where students can study and engage with each other one-on-one or in groups. Two lecture halls enable students from MSU's other six campuses to attend classes taught in Grand Rapids via video conferencing. The college expects some 250 students this year, and predicts that many of them will complete their residencies in West Michigan after graduation."Last year, 17 of our 30 graduates stayed here for their residencies," says Margaret Thompson, M.D., associate dean. The building is named for MSU alumni and lead donors Ambassador Peter and Joan Secchia. Funding for the project comes entirely from private donations, bonds and other sources, says Lawrence. The architect of record is URS Corporation, the design architect is Ellenzweig of Cambridge, Mass., and the Christman Company constructed the building.The college plans a public open house from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday, September 11.Source: Elizabeth Lawrence and Margaret Thompson, MSU College of Human Medicine; Wondergem ConsultingRelated ArticlesGood Medicine: MSU College Brings New Professionals to Grand RapidsCuring the Doctor ShortageMSU Medical School moves intellectual hub to West MichiganDeborah 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 $1.5 million downtown Grand Rapids concert venue clears first major hurdles

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July 29, 2010

Deborah Johnson WoodA new concert venue complex proposed for downtown Grand Rapids has received the stamp of approval from Grand Rapids' Planning Commission and Downtown Development Authority. A couple more hurdles to clear and Pyramid Scheme at 68 Commerce Ave. SW and a restaurant, brewery and pub in the adjoining 62 Commerce can begin construction for a projected 2011 opening. Pyramid Scheme is a partnership between brother-sister duo Jeff and Tami VandenBerg, owners of The Meanwhile bar, and HopCat owner Mark Sellers. They plan to develop 68 Commerce into a 400-person capacity concert venue and a neighborhood bar. The DDA awarded a $50,000 Building Reuse Incentives Program grant earlier this month toward the redevelopment of the building and also approved liquor licenses for both buildings. Mark Sellers is the sole developer of the adjoining building, 62 Commerce. He proposes development of Beatnik Brewing, which includes a restaurant, banquet facility, and, according to the brewery's Facebook page, a bowling alley. A rooftop deck atop the concert hall next door at 68 would be accessed via a door from the second level of 62.The planning commission approved the redevelopment of both buildings this week.Sellers said in an email that he still needs to procure funding for 62 Commerce and get approval for the rooftop deck from the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC). The HPC has approved the concert venue's new façade, says Tami VandenBerg. VandenBerg says the purchase and development of the concert venue will run about $1.5 million."This is something we (Jeff and Tami) wanted to do even before we opened The Meanwhile," she says. "We love music and have gone to shows in Detroit and Chicago and have always wanted to bring shows and bands here. We're doing this to bring more jobs and activity downtown, and to make the city a better place to be so that people stick around."Lott3Metz is the architect for the project.Source: Tami and Jeff VandenBerg, Pyramid Scheme; Mark Sellers, HopCatRelated ArticlesRock solid: entrepreneurs propose Pyramid Scheme for downtown Grand Rapids 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.