Location: Wealthy Theater, 1130 Wealthy St. SE
Doors Open: 6:30pm
Cocktail Hour/Reception: 6:30pm - 7:00pm*
Presentations: 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Lecture: 8:00pm - 8:45pm
Afterglow: 8:45pm - 10:00pm*

This free and public event is organized by AIA Grand Valley. Seating is limited to the first 400 attendees.

About the Projects:

Modeled after other successful public markets in cities such as Seattle and San Francisco, the Grand Rapids Downtown Market will be a mixed-use, indoor/outdoor development that will combine facilities for food production and retailing, farmer produce distribution, tastings, a seasonal outdoor farmers’ market, as well as food and health education. The Downtown Market is funded as a public/private partnership initiated by Grand Action, the same privately funded nonprofit that spearheaded the Van Andel Arena and the DeVos Place Convention Center. The project is currently under construction with an anticipated completion in the spring of 2013.

The Grand River Whitewater Park is the brainchild of Grand Rapids Whitewater, a group of individuals, paddling clubs, fishermen and businesses dedicated to the dream of putting rapids back in the Grand for everyone’s enjoyment. With support from the city (through the Downtown Development Authority and the Green Grand Rapids Initiative) as well as through private funds, the group has received approval to begin the initial design and engineering to accomplish exactly this dream.

Established in 1922, the Fulton Street Farmers Market is the oldest and largest market in Grand Rapids. The market is currently undergoing a $2.6 million dollar renovation to provide permanently covered market stalls, better accessibility and traffic flow, and a LEED certified, year-round indoor facility. Having been financed largely through public fundraising campaigns, these renovations represent a strong civic commitment to a 90 year old Grand Rapids institution. The market is scheduled to reopen on May 5th, 2012.

About the Presenters:

Craig Nicely is an architect and principal at Design Plus, a leading local Architecture and Engineering design firm. Craig has been a client advocate and project leader for a broad range of important projects throughout West Michigan. Exemplified by his role as chairperson of the Grandville Planning Commission, Craig is devoted to promoting and encouraging the proper development of our local neighborhoods and communities.

Chris Muller is a co-founder of the non-profit volunteer group Grand Rapids Whitewater, and is passionate for the idea that making the river more usable for recreational activities will benefit the local economy and the environment as well as his fellow kayaking enthusiasts. In his day job, Chris is the drive behind M Retail Solutions and works with national, regional, and local clients for their retail real estate needs.

Ted Lott is a founding partner of Lott3Metz Architecture and an award-winning architect, urban designer and planner who has worked hard over the years as an active stakeholder in the city neighborhoods; building strong relations with not only the City of Grand Rapids but also the neighborhood residents all around the City. He has designed and led the development of some of the most important work in Grand Rapids in the past seven years

To view the original article:
http://www.mlive.com/jenison/index.ssf/2012/04/first_look_at_jenison_gateway.html

Pete Lazdins, with Design Plus, points out a design for a water feature and theme building that could be incorporated into the Baldwin Street/Main Street area. Pete Lazdins, with Design Plus, points out a design for a water feature and theme building that could be incorporated into the Baldwin Street/Main Street area. The unveiling of what might be the new and improved entrance to the Jenison business district drew a steady stream of residents to the Georgetown Township Hall on Tuesday.

The first glimpse of the conceptual designs created by Design Plus to define Jenison's gateway and create identity for the township and business district drew plenty of comments, just what the Township Board and the designers were hoping for.

"We wanted to show as much diversity as possible in terms of design so people would have something to think about," said Pete Lazdins, landscape architect and partner in Design Plus. He said the firm needed to quickly add plans for possible use of the northeast corner of Chicago Drive and Main Street after the Township Board approved purchasing property there. "It was a great opportunity for Georgetown's identification plan."

Design Plus was hired to help create identity for the township, and to suggest options for beautification of Main Street between Baldwin Street and Chicago Drive. The township purchased the former Jenison Baptist Temple and the former Jenison Christian School last year with the purpose of demolishing the buildings and beautifying the area.

Visitors most often mentioned their appreciation for the water features shown in the drawings, and references to the L.L. Jenison water-powered mill, which was located at the site of Curious World Pet Shop. Possibilities included water wheel mill replicas, a playground, commercial development, a farmers market, concert area, sculpture, and fountains. Residents also suggested a veterans memorial, dedication bricks, a clock tower, and a connection to the nearby Ottawa County Greenway and Kent Trails system.

"I'm kind of hooked on the old mill, maybe because I saw it myself," said Township Supervisor Dale Mohr. "The mill was the first business in the area, and gave the business district its name."

Traffic, Lazdins said, is an issue that must be considered in all designs.

Kelly Cavanaugh, a township planning department employee appointed by the Township Board to function as a liaison with Design Plus, said ideas gathered in conversation on Tuesday, plus the written comments received, will all be used as designers begin forming more detailed designs for the board's consideration. She estimated about 50 people had come to see the preliminary sketches.

"A new design will be created," Cavanaugh said. "Then there could be another forum."

By Chris Knape | The Grand Rapids Press | MLive.com

Courtesy PhotoGrand Rapids urban market organizers used the Milwaukee market, above, as an example of what they'd like to bring here. 

GRAND RAPIDS — Buddy, can you spare $7 million, give or take?

It’s been one year since plans for a $27 million year-round urban market were unveiled, but since then there have been few signs of progress toward getting it open.

Organizers say that’s because they’ve been working behind the scenes to refine architectural and operating plans for the facility — not because the project is not moving forward.

Oh, and there’s the very large matter of securing a philanthropic gift to give the project its legs.

“I think it’s been a relatively long journey, but it’s a project with lots of arms and legs,” said David Frey, co-chairman of Grand Action, an economic development group spearheading the effort. “It’s very different than some of our past projects; both locationally and by definition."

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Grand Action’s past projects include Van Andel Arena and DeVos Place. In addition to Frey, the group is led by former Old Kent Bank CEO John Canepa and businessman Dick DeVos.

Frey said the major gift needs be north of $5 million and south of $10 million.
The clock is ticking.

The state already agreed to provide $5.4 million worth of brownfield tax credits for the project, but changes to state tax credit laws mean those credits need to be utilized sooner than later, Frey said.

Grand Action hopes to have a major gift announced by summer. That backing could enable it to get the financing it would need for a groundbreaking in 2012 and opening in spring of 2013.

Courtesy PhotoAnother view of the Milwaukee urban market.Over the past year the project received initial backing from the Grand Rapids Community Foundation and Frey and Steelcase foundations and the city’s Downtown Development Authority, but those funds were basically paying for predevelopment consultants and designers.

The DDA also has committed to selling the former Sonneveldt Produce Co. complex, 435 Ionia Ave. SW, for the project, though terms of that deal are still up in the air.

DDA Executive Director Jay Fowler said there are not plans to simply give away the 3.5-acre property or sell it for a token sum. It bought the largely vacant complex for $2 million in 2007 and has since cleared some of the buildings from the property.

“I don’t want to negotiate through you,” Fowler said. “It’s something Grand Action and the DDA have to work out; and we’re going to keep talking about that. We have obligations we have to meet and we’re going to have to come up with a fair trade here.”
Cost estimates for completing the project, which include public investments in infrastructure around the project, top $30 million.

Details remain largely the same as when the market concept was announced, said Jon Nunn, executive director of Grand Action.

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It includes:
• About 20 indoor year-round stalls for a variety of food and agriculture-related small businesses.
• About 40 outdoor seasonal selling stalls.
• More than 200 on-site free parking spaces.
• A 4,000-square-foot commercial kitchen.
• 3,000 square feet of cold storage.
• A rooftop greenhouse.

The only major change thus far has been the number of buildings expected to be reused. While initial plans called for much of the remaining Sonneveldt complex to be adapted to the new use, revised plans call for all but one four-story brick building fronting Logan Street to be torn down.

Costs for building the facility being envisioned are lower using new construction, Frey said.

The proposal already is generating signs of interest in redeveloping at least one of two neighboring former furniture warehouses, though nothing definite has been announced.
Developers have recently asked Fowler for information about redeveloping the huge old Baker Furniture warehouse at the corner of Ionia and Logan streets. Building owner and commercial real estate agent Ray Kisor said he’d like to get $2 million for the Baker property.
Dwelling Place, a nonprofit housing group that owns the former Klingman’s Furniture warehouse across the street from the market site, has seen signs of interest, but nothing firm. The building, 60 Wealthy St. SW, is listed for $1.5 million.

“I fully expect we’re going to see something done with that building, but there’s nothing currently,” said Dennis Sturtevant, CEO of Dwelling Place.

Questions over the future of state historic and brownfield redevelopment tax credits could hamper redevelopment efforts around the complex, he said.

To the east the Inner City Christian Federation is continuing to hone plans for its Wealthy-Jefferson initiative to bring a mixture of new housing and retail spaces on several blocks it owns near the intersection of Wealthy and Division.

“I think the market has the potential to really extend the downtown,” Fowler said.

Architect: Design Plus, Inc.

To view the full article: 
http://digitaleditions.walsworthprintgroup.com/publication/?i=101239&p=26

Situated within Metro Health Village, a walkable campus of retail, healthcare, medical fitness, medical office and general office facilities, the Spartan Stores YMCA integrates its own mission with that of Metro Health and its primary benefactor and namesake Spartan Stores Foundation.  All three are committed to serving and improving their communities, with a focus on health and wellness.  The newest Grand Rapids-area YMCA serves the general population of Southwestern Kent county as well as patients of physicians affiliated with the Metro Health Healthcare system.  As such, the facilities are top-notch and were designed with several criteria sharing top priority.  

Form and Function:  Situated on a 10-acre parcel, the 96,000 sf two-story structure with partial basement, thanks in part to the site's sloping grade, makes the most of its location. Its proximity to a main entrance to Metro Health Village makes it accessible to all residents, while being adjacent to the Metro Health Hospital makes it a logical space for the Metro Health Restorative Health Suite's rehabilitation services. Window placement in corridors, pool areas and track allows visitors to enjoy a connection with nature via views to the secluded wooded wetland area beyond the south elevation.

As a community center, the facility aspires to provide a great diversity of programs and services to visitors. In addition to fitness areas, including track, gymnasiums, cardio and weight equipment and rooms for group classes, features include a main lobby, offices, family fun pool, cafe, chapel, kid zone child care center, multipurpose room, activity center, mechanical rooms, storage and locker/changing areas. Many of these areas are defined with CMU walls which provide durability as well as loadbearing support, for the hollowcore precast plank flooring of the second story. 

Durability:  Specific to the building design, architect Design Plus knew from previous experience with this client that delivering a building with a low long-term maintenance plan is paramount. Masonry's low maintenance met this need and provided an aesthetic consistent with the surrounding largely brick campus. While there are no architectural design guidelines for Metro Health Village, there is an architectural review committee that ensures new designs meet a quality and aesthetic consistent with the intent of the Village.  Masonry is used inside and out of the Y.  Painted CMU walls were chosen for many high traffic public spaces within the facility for durability purposes.  Scored CMU was used for visual interest and variety at corridors, the pool area and activity areas, while standard 16” was used in locker rooms and changing faciltities and in concealed areas for cost and convenience.  Outside, morarch sized clay brick (4” x 16”) in terra cotta and ivory and double monarch (8” x 16”) in ivory in half bond provide a fresh youthful take on the familiar material. 

read the full article

Overall view depicting the building, with rooftop greenhouses and the vendor's market shed.

http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2011/12/seven_buildings_will_come_down.html

GRAND RAPIDS - Demolition is expected to begin next month for the $27 million planned Urban Market. The proposed year-around indoor market on Ionia Avenue between Wealthy and Logan streets is slated to open in 2013.

Initial site work including installing a safety fence, removing salvage materials, site evaluations and assessments has been completed. The seven buildings on the property will be razed during the demolition process.

The DDA is awaiting approval of a $1 million grant from the Department of Environmental Quality to help pay the cost of the demolition and the market's construction. Grand Action, the private group that led efforts to build the Van Andel Arena and DeVos Place, is working with the Downtown Development Authority to raise more funds.

The project has already received a $5.4 million grant from the Michigan Economic Growth Authority. On Wednesday, the DDA approved a request authorizing Grand Action to proceed with bidding out the demolition project. That process will be overseen by Pioneer Construction which is serving as project manager.

E-mail Shandra Martinez: smartinez@grpress.com and follow her on Twitter at twitter.com/shandramartinez