GRAND RAPIDS | Development Thread

[deja vu]

Originally Posted by robk1982

Does anyone have the official heights of Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital and the new Corewell Ambulatory building (275 Michigan St)?

We did some work for Corewell, and the drawings I have show top of penthouse roof (gravel stop) at ~173'-2" above grade. The top of parapet for the main roof is drawn at ~156'-10".

Not sure about Helen DeVos, but Google AI says 155 feet high.

[deja vu]

Grand Rapids -

Speaking of Corewell Health's new Ambulatory Tower, it is officially open and serving patients -


Source: LinkedIn | Corewell Health

[deja vu]

Grand Rapids -

Time to see who bites on the first of several planned developments around the future amphitheater -

Grand Action 2.0 seeks developer for apartment tower at Acrisure Amphitheater site
Rachel Watson | Crain's Grand Rapids
January 15, 2025

Grand Action 2.0 has started soliciting interested developers for a planned 21-story, 475-unit mixed-use residential tower that would rise south of Acrisure Amphitheater in the coming years, Crain’s Grand Rapids Business has learned. The Grand Rapids-based private economic developer on Dec. 17 sent out a request for letters of interest (RFI) to an undisclosed group of developers both in the market and outside of it, according to documents provided by Grand Action 2.0 Executive Director Kara Wood...

Here is the approximate site, just south of 201 Market Ave. SW.

Responses to the RFI were due on January. 9, and Grand Action 2.0 hopes to announce a developer for the site by late winter or early spring 2025.

[DetroitMan]

A few developments that have been announced in the last few days...
Proposed skybridge will connect YMCA, Grand Rapids soccer stadium to parking

A new skybridge would connect Grand Valley State University’s parking garage on Pearl Street NW to the David D. Hunting YMCA and Amway Stadium under a proposal submitted to the Grand Rapids Planning Commission.

The YMCA’s parking lot will be torn out to make room for the soccer stadium, and the skybridge aims to provide safe, pedestrian access between the YMCA and GVSU’s parking garage, where YMCA patrons will park once construction starts, according to Grand Action 2.0.

https://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/...nd-rapids-soccer-stadium-to-parking.html


Two projects to bring 129 apartments to Grand Rapids’ west side

Incentives for two projects that will bring 129 apartments to West Fulton Street were approved Tuesday by the Grand Rapids City Commission.

The projects, Abode Fulton and Annex Fulton, are being developed by Construction Simplified, a Grand Rapids-based firm founded by Brent Gibson. Work on the projects could start as soon as late spring or early summer, he said.

https://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/...partments-to-grand-rapids-west-side.html


City approves riverfront land sale for affordable housing despite criticism

The city of Grand Rapids has approved an option agreement to sell prime riverfront property for affordable housing, plans that a downtown development leader criticizes as the wrong project for the location.

https://www.crainsgrandrapids.com/news/r...or-affordable-housing-despite-criticism/


Corewell Health details residency housing plans at Grand Rapids headquarters

Corewell Health plans to build a 125-unit mixed-use apartment development next to its office park in Grand Rapids to serve as a talent attraction tool and house members of its medical residency and fellowship programs.

https://www.crainsgrandrapids.com/news/h...sing-plans-at-grand-rapids-headquarters/

[DetroitMan]

Racing simulator, indoor pool, 140 apartments: What’s next for Fifth Third building in downtown GR

Construction will start Wednesday on the around $50 million project that will build out 140 apartment units inside 111 Lyon St. They’ll also be adding a bevy of amenities, including an indoor pool, a pickleball court, a golf simulator and a high-performance racing simulator, Cummings said.

The project will take advantage of the state’s TIF (tax increment financing) funding, so it needs to keep rental rates affordable to those making 120% of the area median income or less. At least 20% of the units will have rates affordable to those making 100% of the AMI.

https://www.woodtv.com/news/grand-rapids...for-fifth-third-building-in-downtown-gr/

[deja vu]

Grand Rapids -

The final steel beam was raised at Acrisure Amphitheater this week. Here are various recent photos, starting with the beam raising. Opening is scheduled for May 2026 -






Source: LinkedIn | Acrisure Amphitheater

From a site tour from about 1 week ago (the canopy reportedly covers more than a football field's-worth of area) -


Source: LinkedIn | Jeff Roman, PE

From a few weeks ago -


Source: LinkedIn | Acrisure Amphitheater

Aerial, from about 1 month ago -


Source: LinkedIn | Acrisure Amphitheater

[DetroitMan]

Developer seeking amended incentives for delayed apartment building in Grand Rapids

A developer is asking the city of Grand Rapids to revise Brownfield tax incentives he received in 2022 for an apartment building at 280 Ann St. NW that was delayed because of a pause in construction.

Jack Hoedeman, president of Compass Property Development, is asking the city of Grand Rapids to amend his 2022 Brownfield Plan to include a reimbursement for eligible housing activities.

https://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/...-apartment-building-in-grand-rapids.html

[Velvet_Highground]

Absolutely love that last shot in the Acrisure Amphitheater update. Great project but the new perspective it gives downtown is priceless.

[DetroitMan]

Construction begins on $175 million Amway Stadium in Grand Rapids

The 8,500-seat stadium is expected to cost $175 million. It will be funded through public and private money, including $33 million from Amway for naming rights and an increase in the Kent County hotel tax. "Another chapter opens for the west side of Grand Rapids, where the west side has been defining and redefining itself, and is now adding a new definition to the west side of Grand Rapids as the home of West Michigan soccer," said Dick DeVos, Grand Action 2.0 Co-Chair. The stadium will feature a team store, private suites, and a restaurant. Upon completion, it will host a professional soccer club in the MLS Next Pro league for approximately 17 home matches per season, along with 50 additional events of various types.

Grand Rapids Mayor David LaGrand expressed optimism about the stadium's impact on the surrounding area.

"You know, Chicago's got Wrigleyville, but we've got Soccerville. We've got an area where I hope that this will stimulate housing around here. It will stimulate new businesses around here, and it will be a kernel of a new, funky, interesting, individualized, distinctive neighborhood in our city," LaGrand said.

https://www.fox17online.com/news/local-n...75-million-amway-stadium-in-grand-rapids

[DetroitMan]

Grand River access to expand with $9.8M Canal Park improvement project

The project, part of the city’s vision for activating the Grand River with more parks, trails and recreational opportunities, includes a new plaza and pavilion, playground, pedestrian trail, scenic overlooks, and canoe and kayak launch. Mayor David LaGrand said the improvements will create a better spot to enjoy one of the city’s most important natural features. “Let’s face it, we’re not on Lake Michigan — this is our natural feature,” LaGrand said, pointing to the Grand River. “We don’t have Reeds Lake, we have the river.”

Half the project’s $9.8 million price tag is being funded through the city’s parks millage, with the remainder coming from Monroe North Tax Increment Finance Authority and a $750,000 grant from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. The Right Place helped the city access the MEDC grant.

https://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/...-98m-canal-park-improvement-project.html

[DetroitMan]

Emerging developer plans rare fully accessible mixed-use project in southeast Grand Rapids

An emerging developer who was born and raised on the southeast side of Grand Rapids is leveraging his experience with disability to craft what he believes will be the city’s first fully accessible mixed-use development.

https://www.crainsgrandrapids.com/news/r...d-use-project-in-southeast-grand-rapids/

[DetroitMan]

Company’s $40M housing project at Grand Rapids HQ closes in on final funding

A developer and a Grand Rapids title agency have nearly sealed up the public funding component of a large mixed-use housing project that could potentially house workers or serve as a recruitment tool.

https://www.crainsgrandrapids.com/news/r...nd-rapids-hq-closes-in-on-final-funding/

[Velvet_Highground]

Amway looks shiny and gold but it’s actually laminated wood, how apt lol. Jokes aside it’s a pleasing design sleek and aerodynamic with a breezy quality and if wood is indeed the element in the design I think it’s quite appropriate for a W MI stadium.

[airforceguy]

Developer to raze former Eastown funeral home, osteopathic hospital for 30-unit housing project

Grand Rapids-based Fulton Group LLC plans to demolish vacant buildings in the city’s Eastown neighborhood that the firm has owned since 2020 to construct a 30-unit apartment development.

https://www.crainsgrandrapids.com/news/r...opathic-hospital-for-8m-housing-project/

[The ATX]

Not development related, but the skyline shots in the GRPD show on Max are pretty cool.

[DetroitMan]

Kent County seeks to demolish former hospital for new administration building

Kent County officials are rallying behind a plan to demolish, rather than renovate, the former Kent Community Hospital as part of an up to $130 million plan to construct a new county administration building.

https://www.crainsgrandrapids.com/news/r...ospital-for-new-administration-building/

[DetroitMan]

John Ball Zoo considers putting aquarium in Walker

John Ball Zoo is considering putting its new aquarium in Walker, the CEO says.

In a statement sent to News 8, CEO Peter D’Arienzo said the zoo is “performing due diligence on a 19-acre site in Walker where this project could be located.” The exact location hasn’t been announced. The zoo began exploring the possibility of building an aquarium in February 2021. At the time, it said it could happen in 5 to 10 years. In October of that same year, it said it would conduct a study to see if it would make more sense to have it in Kent County or Muskegon County.

https://www.woodtv.com/news/kent-county/john-ball-zoo-considers-putting-aquarium-in-walker/

[DetroitMan]

Developer plans 72 apartments next to urban farm, Huff Park

A three-building, 72-unit apartment development in the planning stages would be nestled between Huff Park and a nonprofit’s forthcoming urban farm project in the Creston neighborhood.

https://www.crainsgrandrapids.com/news/r...apartments-next-to-urban-farm-huff-park/

Brio plans $130M upgrade for aging Porter Hills campus

Senior living provider Brio Living Services plans to invest up to $130 million to develop new facilities at the Porter Hills Village campus in Grand Rapids.

https://www.crainsgrandrapids.com/news/h...m-upgrade-for-aging-porter-hills-campus/

[airforceguy]

27 apartments, retail space eyed for vacant lot in Grand Rapids

Two West Michigan businessmen are working to transform a vacant lot in Grand Rapids’ Boston Square neighborhood with a four-story building containing 27 apartments and ground floor commercial space.

Bing Goei, the owner of Eastern Floral and a former Grand Rapids City Commissioner, is partnering with Holland real estate investor Saleem Usmani to build the structure at 1356 Kalamazoo Ave. SE.

https://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/...eyed-for-vacant-lot-in-grand-rapids.html

[Dale]

Any news on the DeVos towers ?