Development News

Deborah Johnson Wood

In an effort to make it easier for visitors to get to more venues during ArtPrize 2010, six new exhibition centers have been selected as beginning points where visitors can register to vote, shop for ArtPrize memorabilia and see works by at least 25 artists at each location.

Each of the exhibition centers is a nonprofit organization. ArtPrize officials hope the centers will encourage visitors to explore more areas of the three-square-mile downtown exhibit district. The exhibition centers are:
• Grand Rapids Art Museum
• Diocese of Grand Rapids' Cathedral Square
• Women's City Club
• Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts
• Grand Rapids Public Museum
• Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, the only center outside the downtown district.

"David Hooker is the president of Meijer Gardens and an ArtPrize board member, and Meijer Gardens was active in curating some of the downtown locations last year," says Rick DeVos, ArtPrize founder. "They wanted to open up their spaces at the gardens and provide a shuttle at their expense in and out of downtown."

DeVos says each exhibition center will be sponsored and professionally curated. The curators will respond to artists' requests for venues, selecting the art for the venue, choosing its placement in the venue and managing the show as an overall experience.

Registration this year is more structured due to having more time. Last year, venues and artists registered at the same time. This year, venues register from March 15 to April 15; artists register from April 19 to May 27. Artist and venue matching takes place from June 1 to July 1. ArtPrize 2010 runs from September 22 through October 10.

Venues pay $100 to register, artists pay $50.

"We're not making any estimates on numbers of participants this year," DeVos says. "Part of the fun and excitement is not really knowing what people will do from year to year. We'll just wait to see what happens."

Source: Rick DeVos, ArtPrize; Michael Zalewski, Seyferth & Associates

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.
read on…

Deborah Johnson Wood

This week Ricky Morgan opened his third Computer Help location in Grand Rapids and his customers from the north side of town helped him decide where it would be – the Creston business district.

Morgan, 31, and his partner Marte Smith own Computer Help, 1501 Lake Drive SE in Eastown and at 1066 Grandville Ave. SW.

"I got a lot of people asking if we had something on the north side of town," Morgan says. "A lot of people drive a long way to come to our Eastown store, so I was looking at Alpine or Creston. We had lunch at the Red Jet Café and I saw the storefront across the street. What caught my eye was the storefront window, and then the price point is what made me decide it was the right place."

Morgan says he founded the original Computer Help in Eastown 19 months ago as a computer repair shop specializing in virus removal. The store also sells computers, but he wanted a shop focused on computer sales.

"We'll offer a lot of new computers, and also will offer refurbished computers," Morgan says. "In this economy people don't want to pay full price. Even our new computers are lower price than the big box stores – we get them from China and we put the Microsoft operating systems on them ourselves. We don't have a big staff or a lot of overhead."

The store's inventory includes major brands of notebook, laptop and desktop computers including VAIO, HP, Dell, Acer and Lenovo, as well as accessories and printers. The shop will also offer virus removal and computer repair services.

If sales go as well as expected, Morgan expects to add four sales positions over the next year.

Store hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

Source: Ricky Morgan, Computer Help

Related Articles
Computer Help in new Eastown digs cures computer ailments

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.
read on…

Deborah Johnson Wood

A $1 million-plus renovation is transforming a former Huntington Bank building on Grand Rapids' northeast side, preparing it as permanent offices for the Michigan nonprofit Migrant Legal Aid.

"For 37 years we've rented space and moved three times," says Executive Director Teresa Hendricks. "We've outgrown our space at 648 Monroe NW. Our office is hard to find because it's a suite within a downtown building and our clients speak very little, or no, English. They find it intimidating to navigate cities."

The new location at 1104 Fuller NE has on-site parking and is accessible with only one turn off either US-131 or I-196.

Migrant Legal Aid provides civil legal services to migrant workers across Michigan. Hendricks says they serve clients at the office and at the camps where the attorneys monitor the workers' living conditions, help them maintain their income, find health care, and get food, shelter and clothing.

The nonprofit intervenes to prevent crises between the workers and the farmers, police, schools and others, and represents the migrant workers in court when needed.

"We've seen families living in chicken coops, sleeping on a mattress covering the drain on the bathroom floor, and open sewer pits," says Hendricks. "Some of the women want to speak to us about their rights when it comes to domestic violence. They're afraid of the police, of their husbands, of the system."

The new offices include "an extremely private office designated for domestic violence cases, so we can address the problem out of earshot of the husband," Hendricks says.

The former drive-through banking area is now a learning center for tax clinics, immigration clinics and employee training.

A combination board room/conference room/legal library incorporates an existing vaulted ceiling and skylights. Eight offices will provide enough extra space for the firm to bring on an immigration attorney and a paralegal.

Hendricks says the building will be LEED certified.

A $1.9 million capital campaign goal is underway.

"By owning the building, we will save about $50,000 annually in rent," Hendricks says. "That's money we can put into programming instead."

Source: Teresa Hendricks, Migrant Legal Aid

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.
read on…

Deborah Johnson Wood

With its infinity wall, a photography-ready commercial kitchen and a wide selection of portable lights, The Studio at the Hoxie might be a snapshot of photography heaven.

The once-vacant storefront in the Hoxie Building, 1415 Plainfield Ave. NE, is now a 2,200-square-foot photography studio cooperative, open to professional photographers who need studio and meeting room space.

"We're trying to provide professional space and professional equipment for someone who doesn't want all the overhead," says Carl Heule. Heule is the son of Rinck Heule, co-owner with Jason Gordon of HeuleGordon, Inc., the print management and design firm that developed The Studio. HeuleGordon maintains its headquarters on the building's second floor.

"This is an extension of HeuleGordon's existing design studio upstairs, and is a perfect transitional space for photographers looking to move out of their homes or out of an expensive studio," Heule says.

Inside the circa 1920s building, photographers will find a private conference room for meeting with clients. Beyond that is open space that includes acid-washed concrete floors, original tin ceilings and brick walls.
 
Co-op members can use the contemporary kitchen as a kitchen or as a space to prepare restaurant dishes and then shoot them for menus or advertising photos.

"An infinity wall next to the kitchen allows a photographer to control the light, eliminate shadows and knock out the background," Heule says. "They can then insert their own background into the shot."

Annual membership fee for the co-op is $300 and includes use of the conference room, a storage locker, a mailbox and a link to The Studio's web site. The studio, kitchen, and equipment are $100 per day/ $70 per half day for members. Membership is open to professional photographers and other graphic arts professionals.
 
"This area is having a resurgence and The Studio will bring artists and their clients into Creston," Heule says. "We see that as a very positive thing for the area."

Source: Carl Heule, HeuleGordon, Inc.

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.

Photos:

The Studio at the Hoxie (4)

Photographs by Tiffany Sinkuleread on…

By Sharon Hanks

A non-profit organization that sells gently used items to raise money for Bibles will soon open its doors in the formerJurgens & Holtvluwer Mens Store Inc. at 1054 Leonard St. NW in Grand Rapids.

Bibles for Missions Thrift Center is now accepting donations and recruiting volunteers before the store opens in late March or early April, says John Scafe, national director of the Hudsonville-based center. It will be the organization's sixth store in Michigan and its 15th store nationally since Bibles for Missions was established more than 15 years ago, he says.

"We're blessed to be in this neighborhood," says Scafe, adding that volunteers are excited about meeting the needs of the aging Westside area.

Proceeds from the store will be used to purchase soft scriptures and hard-bound Bibles for people in Ukraine, he says. They'll be distributed through Bible League International, a Crete, Il.-based organization that coordinates the strategic placement of Bibles in more than 60 countries.

Bibles for Missions is a non-denominational organization operated solely by volunteers. Nearly 30 individuals have volunteered to manage the 8,500-square-foot Westside store, but Scafe says between 60 and 80 are needed. Those interested in volunteering can call the center at 454-6300. Donations can be dropped off at a loading door behind the building.

Jurgens & Holtvluewer men's clothing store was a fixture at the site for many years before closing this winter.

Source: John Scafe, national director of Bibles for Missions Thrift Center

Sharon Hanks is innovations and jobs news editor at Rapid Growth Media. Please send story ideas and comments for the column to Sharon at sharon@rapidgrowthmedia.com. She also is owner of The Write Words in Grand Rapids.





read on…

Deborah Johnson Wood

Habitat for Humanity of Kent County has constructed 65 LEED-certified affordable homes in Kent County since the organization built the first one in the United States back in 2006.

Now the nonprofit has applied the same green philosophy to the rehabilitation of its future Grand Rapids headquarters, shooting for Silver LEED-NC in renovating the former Adelante High School, 425 Pleasant St. SW.

Half of the 9,000-square-foot building is contemporary open offices for the departments that oversee housing construction, family services and fund development. The other half contains executive offices and an 84-seat multipurpose conference center.

"Our current building is humble to say the least, we've always made do," says Chris Hall, director of construction. "To be able to design a building around how we work, we anticipate we'll be able to carry out our mission much more efficiently."

Inside, the eco-friendly features include high-efficiency HVAC systems and skylights that allow natural light to flood the workspace. Outside, two rain gardens will keep stormwater on-site.

"On the property behind the building, we will put in a nursery to grow plants we can use for landscaping the (Habitat) homes," says Mindy Miner, fund development associate.

Hall says Habitat's existing building, which is kitty-corner from the new facility, will become a storage warehouse for lumber and construction supplies.

Some of the current offices will become a bunkhouse-style room where out-of-town student and other volunteers can stay overnight on cots. The space includes an existing kitchen and showers.

Hall says construction of the new facility will run about $880,000. He says a $3 million capital campaign includes funding to add a loading dock and other updates to the existing building.

Christman Construction is the general contractor. Fishbeck, Thompson, Carr & Huber is the project architect and engineer.

Source: Chris Hall, Mindy Miner, Habitat for Humanity of Kent County

Related Articles
Habitat teaches high school, college students LEED-construction ropes

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.
read on…

Deborah Johnson Wood

Kathleen Jackson doesn't sugar-coat the story when she says finding the right location for The Candy Shop Café was an answer to prayer – the words come straight from her heart.

Jackson and her husband Michael, both 29, opened the combination coffee shop/café/candy store at 2404 Eastern Ave. SE in February. Michael, a former personal chef and a food services manager at Saint Mary's Health Care, operates the catering side of the business.

"About three years ago I met Barb Bush, the owner of the building," Kathleen Jackson says. "The first café in this spot had just closed down and I heard about the fire with the hardware store next door. Once I saw the space, I thought this would be an amazing place for us to continue what we were already doing, which was catering. I said, Lord, if you open the doors, we'll walk through."

The shop is in the same building as Sundaes in the Heights, directly behind the popular ice cream spot. Both spaces were damaged in 2006 when Alger Hardware caught fire.

"My husband and I worked for a candy company and loved it. We loved people coming in and seeing the candies they used to get when they were kids," Jackson says. "So we have a small retro candy store inside the shop that sells Dots, Mary Janes, Slo Pokes Suckers, Gumballs, Jaw Breakers. We also carry fudge and gourmet popcorn from Pentwater Popcorn."

The café offers breakfast sandwiches including vegetarian wraps, coffee, lattes and cappuccinos. The lunch menu includes gourmet sandwiches – ham and cheese, Reuben, club – and a build your own sandwich option with a selection of breads, meats and cheeses. Taco salad and a chicken Caesar salad are popular picks right now, Jackson says.

Customers can keep up with store events on Facebook at The Works Candy and Catering Company. Store hours are 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday – Friday, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays.

Source: Kathleen Jackson, The Candy Store Café

Related Articles
New café in Alger Heights revitalizes vacant building, brings jobs to neighborhood
40 years of business resumes after Alger Heights store fire

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.
read on…

Deborah Johnson Wood

Y'all won't be callin' these dogs Coney dogs. These are chili dogs, Southern style – and that means with coleslaw on them (or as a side dish, if your Michigan taste buds insist).

But hot dogs won't be the only thing on the menu at Jonny B'z Dogs and More, 638 Wealthy St. SE, Grand Rapids. The restaurant, owned by Jon Goad, managing partner, and Bob Graham, opens in early April.

Goad, 51, was born and raised in Virginia, moved to Grand Rapids with his family during his high school years, married his high school sweetheart Ginger, and settled down here after they traveled the world. Ginger is a chef at The Winchester, next door to Jonny B'z.

"Everybody in Michigan is rabid about Coney dogs," Goad says. "In the south we don't have Coney dogs, we have chili dogs and it doesn't look like a Coney, doesn't taste like a Coney. When I was two in Lynchburg, Virginia, up against our back yard was Meeks's Delicatessen and he served me my first chili dog with coleslaw. It was like crack cocaine – I was hooked."

In addition to hot dogs served with a variety of toppings, the menu includes hamburgers topped with chili or coleslaw, French fries tossed with fresh seasonings and gumbo.

"I'm going to serve Virginia country ham deep-fried in a biscuit," Goad says. "Customers will be on it like a bull dog on a pork chop."

The building, a historic renovation, retains its tin ceilings and original wood floors. Goad says the two storefronts he's leasing will have reproduction black and white checkerboard composite tile that replaces the original, but badly damaged, that was in the building.

The restaurant contains a full kitchen, something Goad says is unusual for hot dog joints.

"Most hot dog places around town have re-heating kitchens, but we're doing a lot of fresh foods so we need a full kitchen," he says. "The hot dog world has a lot of yellows, greens and reds in the restaurants and we're going to go with earthen tones of those colors, muted and up to date."

Source: Jon Goad, Jonny B'z Dogs and More

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.
read on…

Deborah Johnson Wood

Tom Southwell says the untold story of West Michigan is that the region is thriving, and he points to his company's recent manufacturing expansion as proof. Southwell is a partner in the Grand Rapids Chair Company, which just added a 28,000-square-foot table top manufacturing facility to its properties.

The company, headquartered in the old McInerney Spring and Wire plant on Chestnut St. SW, added the former Studio Ink / StudioCraft building, 837 Godfrey Ave. SW, in response to increased customer demand for tables for healthcare, education, hospitality, corporate and government environments.

"We've always made tables," Southwell says. "We saw the opportunity to enhance our production in both volume and flexibility, and to make other types of tabletops and chair components. This new plant allows us to increase our volume capacity, our throughput and our quality while lowering our prices for customers."

The cost reduction and increased quality control come from bringing the entire manufacturing process in-house, Southwell says. That process uses both modern CNC equipment and traditional woodworking machinery – both of which require skilled employees for operation.

"Dave Miller, one of my partners, had his eye on the Cadillac of machinery, which is generally real old pieces of machinery," Southwell says. "We were able to purchase 20 of those machines for the new building and clean them up with new bearings, new knives."

The company hired 12 skilled employees who already knew how to operate the equipment.

"The craftsmen that are available for employment in West Michigan you can't find anywhere else," Southwell says. "The work ethic of the people is such that the people care about the products they produce."

"Michigan kind of gets a bad rap, primarily due to the auto industry," he says. "Grand Rapids and West Michigan is a thriving place for us to do business and we encourage other companies to do the same."

Source: Tom Southwell, Grand Rapids Chair Company

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.
read on…

Deborah Johnson Wood

These aren't your ordinary business incubators: small spaces gathered in one building. These are full storefronts available in three Grand Rapids' neighborhood business districts for below-market lease rates. And they come with free accounting, legal and marketing support, business training and business plan development.

"What we're doing is creating a 'scattered site' incubator model," says Darel Ross, president of Lighthouse Communities, the nonprofit behind the idea. Lighthouse is the developer behind the proposed Lighthouse Development Center that will house six retail incubator spaces.

"We thought, what can we do, not just in an incubator property but throughout all our commercial properties, using the properties as a tool for economic development in the neighborhood business districts," Ross says. "We found as we filled our business incubator (Development Center) there was a demand for flexibility and affordable space. The need was larger than what we could deliver."

Urban Pizza, a take and bake pizzeria owned by Malika Pimpleton, is the first business in the new incubator model. Her retail space in the new Uptown Village building, 950 Wealthy, Grand Rapids is slated to open by April 1.

"Lighthouse pays for her first four months' rent so he can use that money to do her build-out," Ross says. That, along with 12 months of subsidized rent allows the owner 16 months to build clientele, and to get her accounting, legal and marketing needs in order.

Lighthouse has commercial properties in three neighborhood business districts – Madison Square, Wealthy Street and Grandville Avenue – and plans to roll out the new incubator program in all three areas.

"If we can take away some of the expenses and surround you with support, we know you have a legal entity that's best for your business, a solid business plan, and you're working with an accountant all from day one," Ross says. "That makes the neighborhood business districts stronger and lets the business owner concentrate on the business, instead of worrying about overhead and rent."

Source: Darel Ross, Lighthouse Communities

Related Articles
Madison Square business incubator has community backing for $1.7M project
Business incubators coming to new $1.6M project in Madison Square

Deborah Johnson Wood is development news editor for Rapid Growth Media. She can be contacted at deborah@rapidgrowthmedia.com. Have a development news tip for Rapid Growth? Contact us at info@rapidgrowthmedia.cominfo@rapidgrowthmedia.com.
read on…

Deborah Johnson Wood

The City of Holland has launched a new web site geared at promoting the city to people looking to relocate for jobs, college or retirement. The site, www.enjoyhollandmichigan.com is an opportunity for people to explore what Holland has to offer them, from their homes or offices and that their own pace.

"The ultimate goal is to create a one-stop shop for people who want to know what it's like to come and live in Holland, Michigan," says Joel Dye, city of Holland community development coordinator. "We are anticipating the primary users to be Realtors, who will show it to clients considering relocating, and recruiters looking to bring employees into the area."

The web site includes pages about Holland's neighborhoods and schools, its economy and jobs. Other pages tout the downtown shopping district, recreation programs throughout the city, including those at Evergreen Commons and the Holland Community Aquatic Center, and information on the city's parks and beaches.

"If you're relocating for a job in Holland and bringing a spouse, you can go to the jobs page to see what work is available for them," Dye says. "There are links to the area's largest employers, to the Chamber of Commerce, to Lakeshore Advantage and to others. Ten people who work in Holland are quoted on what they like about working in Holland."

The home page includes a promotional video of Holland originally created for another web site, www.hollandbythelake.com. The video garnered 21,000 hits and prompted local fans to urge the city to expand on it and create the new web site.

Grooters Productions created both web sites and the video.

Source: Joel Dye, city of Holland

Related Articles
Holland launches $300,000 marketing campaign to attract talent

Deborah Johnson Wood is development news editor for Rapid Growth Media. She can be contacted at deborah@rapidgrowthmedia.com. Have a development news tip for Rapid Growth? Contact us at info@rapidgrowthmedia.com.
read on…

Deborah Johnson Wood

Muskegon developer Gary Post says that even in good economic times, traditional lenders might not finance the idea behind the proposed $2 million Russell Block Market – and right now getting the money is impossible.

So he's trying a different angle: Post has formed a nonprofit organization, Russell Block Market, Inc., to oversee the market and to help the project vie for grants and donations not available to traditional commercial ventures.

Post's plan for the Russell Block Market, 360 W. Western Ave., is a retail incubator on the first two floors, set up as an open market, then possibly a business community center or arts center on the upper two floors.

The main purpose of the nonprofit, he says, "is to get things started again downtown with a plan to provide some type of support (to the new businesses) and hopefully spin them off into other locations downtown and reestablishing some of the retail we lost a few years ago when the downtown mall was torn down."

The building has been gutted, and has a rebuilt stairway tower and elevator shaft. The removal of 1940s exterior cladding damaged the façade. Post says it needs $175,000 in repairs and historic renovation. Existing funding includes some $25,000 from a Cool Cities grant that also went toward renovation of the nearby Century Club and Savings Bank buildings.

"The nonprofit allows us to attract other funding sources we might not be eligible for," Post says. "Many grants go to nonprofits and we hope for private donations as well."

Post applies this week to the Michigan Economic Development Corp. through the city of Muskegon for an $85,000 Urban Revitalization grant toward the façade improvements. The grant requires a $90,000 match. Post says the city doesn't have the matching funds, so he is raising the money. The city will administer the matching funds and the grant if the grant is approved.

Source: Gary Post, Port City Construction and Development

Deborah Johnson Wood is development news editor for Rapid Growth Media. She can be contacted at deborah@rapidgrowthmedia.com. Have a development news tip for Rapid Growth? Contact us at info@rapidgrowthmedia.com.
read on…

Deborah Johnson Wood

Warner Vineyards plans to celebrate in downtown Holland with a bit of the bubbly and its 24 other wines and champagnes by the time Tulip Time Festival is in bloom.

The vintner's new tasting room, Warner Vineyards of Holland, begins the build-out this month on its newest location at College and 8th streets.

"We're waiting for the liquor control commission to grant the liquor license," says Bill Warner, one of the partners in the four-generation family-owned business. "But we've already overcome the first two hurdles, which are the hardest, so we hope to be open by April first and if not then it'll be May first."

Founded in 1938, Warner Vineyards is Michigan's second oldest and highest award winning winery, Warner says. All of its wines and champagnes are made at its facility in Fennville using traditional methods to make small batches.

"We are 100 percent Lake Michigan Shore Appalachian – Appalachian means an area where the grapes are grown," Warner says. "At the tasting bar people can try the wine and then buy what they like by the bottle. We put the wines in the same order as they are in the tasting guide we have at the store, which includes a sweetness guide."

Besides traditional favorites like chardonnay, pinot grigio and merlot, the winery offers a number of fruit wines such as Blueberry Splash, Very Very Cherry and Peach and Honey, a peach, honey, cinnamon and apricot blend.

"We have looked at opening a tasting room in the harbor towns for years, and now that the Sunday drinking laws have changed the little harbor towns are neat places to do wine tastings," Warner says. "Sundays are big tasting days for us."

The company has three other tasting rooms in Marshall, South Haven and Paw Paw.

Source: Bill Warner, Warner Vineyards; Mimi Fritz, Downtown Holland Principal Shopping District

Deborah Johnson Wood is development news editor for Rapid Growth Media. She can be contacted at deborah@rapidgrowthmedia.com. Have a development news tip for Rapid Growth? Contact us at info@rapidgrowthmedia.com.
read on…

Deborah Johnson Wood

Timeless design and craftsmanship have made Germany the top producer of mechanical clocks, says Dan Winebrenner, owner of the Holland Clock Co.

The new retail shop at 210 College Ave., Holland, will offer a selection of German-made cuckoo clocks, Dutch style clocks that originated in the Netherlands but are now made in Germany, and present a few shelf and mantle styles. Winebrenner's expertise in clock repair and service will be a unique offering of the shop.

Winebrenner's fascination with clocks began early in his life, pretty much when he first became aware of clocks and timekeeping. Five years ago, he learned how to repair them. Shortly after, he launched Winebrenner Clock Service in his Holland home.

"It's been a challenge, but I've seen some pretty encouraging growth in the last year," Winebrenner says. "I started the repair business without the retail because it wasn't as big a financial commitment as having a retail location and an investment in inventory. Now, I'm at the point where I'm ready to add them."

Winebrenner and his teenage children, Ben and Veronica, painted two walls of the small, narrow shop with murals depicting German landscapes and the Black Forest. Inside the front window is a hand-painted map of Germany and surrounding countries.

"Part of the reason I chose the location in downtown Holland is because of the reputation the downtown area has, not only in West Michigan but nationally as a destination for shopping," Winebrenner says. "I sense that it's a growing, busy area and that's where I want my shop to be, where people are going to find it. I think it also fits in well with the cultural identity of the area."
The shop will open March 1, with initial hours from noon to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

Source: Dan Winebrenner, Holland Clock Company; Mimi Fritz, Downtown Holland Principal Shopping District

Deborah Johnson Wood is development news editor for Rapid Growth Media. She can be contacted at deborah@rapidgrowthmedia.com. Have a development news tip for Rapid Growth? Contact us at info@rapidgrowthmedia.com.
read on…

Deborah Johnson Wood

A 2.25-acre parking lot at Madison Avenue SE and Pleasant Street SE will soon be a new Grand Rapids city park. The property is in the heart of an area identified by Green Grand Rapids as deficient in green space, and is part of the 415 Franklin property (former Department of Human Services) acquired from Kent County by the city of Grand Rapids last year.

A design charrette on February 20 drew 50 adults and 40 children to voice their ideas about the park's design. The purpose of the charrette, sponsored by Friends of Grand Rapids Parks, South Hill Neighborhood Association, Heritage Hill Neighborhood Association and the City of Grand Rapids Parks and Recreation Department, was to present ideas for the park to design consultants O'Boyle, Cowell, Blalock & Associates.

"We held some pre-charrette meetings with a small planning team, we have a Facebook group for the park and we tapped into that energy, and we put out a pre-survey online, all to get ideas so the designers had some ideas for the meeting," says Steve Faber, executive director of Friends of Grand Rapids Parks.

"The property is partly in Heritage Hill and partly in South Hill and the neighborhoods didn't want water playgrounds or basketball courts," Faber says.

Faber says the neighbors want clear sight lines across the park for neighborhood safety, so most of the park will be open space. One section features a playground for kids ages two to 10; other sections have walking paths, a small slope for sledding and a proposed perennial exchange garden. Architectural elements at the entrance at Madison and Pleasant will draw from architectural influences of the surrounding neighborhoods.

Four City High students studying sustainable playgrounds asked the children at the charrette to design their ideal playground. Faber hopes to incorporate some of the high school students' findings in the park design.

Next steps are to add the park to the Parks and Recreation Master Plan by March 13 in order to qualify for possible state grants, brownfield tax credits and other funding.

Source: Steve Faber, Friends of Grand Rapids Parks

Deborah Johnson Wood is development news editor for Rapid Growth Media. She can be contacted at deborah@rapidgrowthmedia.com. Have a development news tip for Rapid Growth? Contact us at info@rapidgrowthmedia.com.
read on…