Grand Rapids/West Michigan Photos (Garden: house, woodpecker, gardens)

[Moving_2012]

Anyone have any snow pictures? Thank you.

[philkirkham]

Early Fall morning - view of the front yard of my new home

[michigan83]

Originally Posted by philkirkham

Early Fall morning - view of the front yard of my new home

Very nice! Looks like you live in a beautiful spot.

[magellan]

This is kind of cool. They're building a new Amtrak station in downtown Grand Rapids, right near the central transit center. That big warehouse in the background is for sale! (in case anyone is in the market for big 500,000 sf warehouses).

FYI, not my pictures, from flickr.

[Haame]

I took this photo during ArtPrize this year from the JW Marriott parking ramp.



Founder Brewing downtown Grand Rapids



Grand Haven, Mi for 4th of July Fireworks

[Kay Smedes]

I totally love downtown Rockford.

[westernwilly]

Grand Rapids is a very beautiful city.
Our state government should spend more energy showcasing it the country and less time trying worrying that "As Detroit goes then so does Michigan".

[Republic of Michigan]

Originally Posted by westernwilly

Grand Rapids is a very beautiful city.
Our state government should spend more energy showcasing it the country and less time trying worrying that "As Detroit goes then so does Michigan".

As a Metro Detroiter, I agree. I would love to see Grand Rapids make the following changes though:

1) Get rid of the 131 highway which cuts through downtown;
2) Build a robust metro system;
3) Get two professional sports teams;
4) Build a University of Michigan-Grand Rapids campus;
5) Build a minimum of 7 high rise buildings downtown;
6) Expand the zoo, museum, art museum, and aquarium; and
7) Consolidate the city with the surrounding suburbs.

[magellan]

Originally Posted by Republic of Michigan

As a Metro Detroiter, I agree. I would love to see Grand Rapids make the following changes though:

1) Get rid of the 131 highway which cuts through downtown;
2) Build a robust metro system;
3) Get two professional sports teams;
4) Build a University of Michigan-Grand Rapids campus;
5) Build a minimum of 7 high rise buildings downtown;
6) Expand the zoo, museum, art museum, and aquarium; and
7) Consolidate the city with the surrounding suburbs.

1) There are a lot of people who do not want to see 131 gone. Maybe softened a bit.
2) The Rapid is working on expansions just about every 2 years, with another BRT and streetcar in the works
3) That won't happen for at least 20 - 30 years. Not enough population.
4) That's up to UofM, but the opportunities are dwindling
5) Cities don't build high-rises, businesses do. I don't see the demand for downtown class A space being that hot to necessitate that much space. Maybe over the next 50 years.
6) The zoo is undergoing expansion. Meijer Gardens just bought land to triple their size. The new art museum is pretty well going to meet demand for quite a while. Kendall taking over UICA and utilizing the upstairs phase 2 is pretty exciting. A science center/museum downtown would be awesome.
7) That won't happen until the makeup of the leadership of the surrounding suburbs begins to change.


I do agree that how Detroit goes (Detroit metro), so goes the State of Michigan. The Detroit metro comprises half the State's economy, it can't fail or we all go down.

[magellan]

Originally Posted by magellan

1) There are a lot of people who do not want to see 131 gone. Maybe softened a bit.
2) The Rapid is working on expansions just about every 2 years, with another BRT and streetcar in the works
3) That won't happen for at least 20 - 30 years. Not enough population.
4) That's up to UofM, but the opportunities are dwindling
5) Cities don't build high-rises, businesses do. I don't see the demand for downtown class A space being that hot to necessitate that much space. Maybe over the next 50 years.
6) The zoo is undergoing expansion. Meijer Gardens just bought land to triple their size. The new art museum is pretty well going to meet demand for quite a while. Kendall taking over UICA and utilizing the upstairs phase 2 is pretty exciting. A science center/museum downtown would be awesome.
7) That won't happen until the makeup of the leadership of the surrounding suburbs begins to change.


I do agree that how Detroit goes (Detroit metro), so goes the State of Michigan. The Detroit metro comprises half the State's economy, it can't fail or we all go down.

Spoke too soon. Grand Rapids is getting a Pistons affiliate NBA team.

Grand Rapids to get NBA D-League team, will affiliate with Detroit Pistons | MLive.com