Wow.  Grand Rapids look way more interesting than I would have ever expected.

Very impressive.

Wonderfully dense, big-city look for a city of about 200K population, with some beautiful historic gems and attractive newer buildings. Thanks for the excellent tour; it inspires me to make the drive.

Great set.  I really like grand rapids... that being said, I think it's significantly easier for the mid size cities to revitalize their downtowns... they don't have the same (nor nearly as many) problems as larger cities (including the 3 c's).  But that should take nothing away from GR, which has done an outstanding job... my only worry with GR is that their economy is really based upon one primary industry (and one which is struggling at the moment).

michigan doing something right for a change!

Great set. I really like grand rapids... that being said, I think it's significantly easier for the mid size cities to revitalize their downtowns... they don't have the same (nor nearly as many) problems as larger cities (including the 3 c's). But that should take nothing away from GR, which has done an outstanding job... my only worry with GR is that their economy is really based upon one primary industry (and one which is struggling at the moment).

 

I might have to differ on that.  It seems like the mid-sized cities are the ones that have a hard time retaining young professionals which are vital for the rebirth of center cities.  Clities such as Toledo, Dayton, Fort Wayne, etc seem to be the types of towns that young people don't want to stay in after college.  The only exception to this would be a mid-sized city that has a large college non-commuter campus such as Madison, Wisconson.  Grand Rapids does not have that. 

^true, i guess i was referring more to revitilzation of a downtown, not necessarily overall success of that city.  Grand Rapids however is also home to a hanful of large global companies that until recently were doing quite well, that in and of itself helps bring an influx of people in.

So whats' Grand Rapids' secret sauce.  An economy not based on manufacturing?  It used to be.  When did they make the shift to divesify?  Are was seeing a smaller Pittsburgh here...move from factory work to something else.  What is that something else?

 

Im really fascinated by this city doing as well as it apparently does.  That downtown looks great.  And fairly intact without being chopped up by a lot of parking and empty plazas.  Maybe its the angled streets.  But the buildings are in good condition, too.

So whats' Grand Rapids' secret sauce. An economy not based on manufacturing? It used to be. When did they make the shift to divesify? Are was seeing a smaller Pittsburgh here...move from factory work to something else. What is that something else?

 

Im really fascinated by this city doing as well as it apparently does. That downtown looks great. And fairly intact without being chopped up by a lot of parking and empty plazas. Maybe its the angled streets. But the buildings are in good condition, too.

 

 

good questions -- cdawg has one answer to grand rapids secrets. its not wasting civic time and money building arenas and hoping for "spinoff" from them.

 

also, from what i can see its rehabbed anything and everything worthwhile in sight.

 

lastly, going on what i read here and elsewhere it probably helps way much more than we think that g.r.'s prominent locals are so publically invested in the town and positive about it too. in ohio it seems like the influential wealthy folks remain mostly silent and withholding these days when we need to see and hear from them the most.

 

 

 

Grand Rapids is such an amazing city.  So many neighborhoods near downtown are full of thousands of beautiful homes, carefully restored.  The downtown is pretty active, has an attractive core, and provides good urban living lifestyle.

Got to get to GR.

Great job Zack!

Always impressive. If you're in the area again you'll have to get nearby beach towns Saugatuck and Douglas. Before it gets too cold, of course.

Grand Rapids looks like a very impressive mid size city.  Nice diversity in buildings too.

 

How married to the auto industry is that town? 

^^ I think the main industry is furniture...esp commercial office system. Steelcase HQ, Herman Miller and Haworth nearby in suburbs.  That industry is hurting pretty bad right now...but also can contribute to a "creative class".  The big family there owns Amway...is that still even a viable company?  Not sure what they do now.

 

If you know anyone from GR they will tell you it's the bible belt of the north and they attribute western MI growth to the decline of Detroit and the East side of the state.  Seems to have a wholesome, religious, non ethnic aura about it which may help the inner city...like a mini Salt Lake City and the opposite of Detroit.  Personally GR seems bland to me because of those qualities.

 

 

WOW!  A site that is Ohio-based that is full of people that GET and APPRECIATE what Metro Grand Rapids MI is turning into!  :-o  WOW AGAIN!

 

Just for all of this goodwill, please find presented my favorite view of Downtown Grand Rapids (from Westbank District) - ENJOY Ohio Siblings!!!!

 

-Metrogrkid

New Member of Urban Ohio from UrbanPlanet-Grand Rapids

By the way, if you ever need to fly into GR on business, here's how the new Ford Airport will hit ya' (the Hooterville look is WAY gone and buried!!  :clap: ):

Welcome and thanks for posting those, metrogrkid.  I'm on Urban Planet as well.  Below is the link to our Grand Rapids development thread, maybe you can keep us updated :)

 

http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,18167.0.html

Nice shots of Michigan's second city!

hello? new towers? a newly rebuilt airport? wow.

 

Eastbank Downtown Grand Rapids doing an eerie Brigadoon "....appearing out of the mist for one day every hundred years...." impersonation (as seen from Ah-Nab-Awen Park in front of Gerald R. Ford Museum):

good questions -- cdawg has one answer to grand rapids secrets. its not wasting civic time and money building arenas and hoping for "spinoff" from them.

 

also, from what i can see its rehabbed anything and everything worthwhile in sight.

 

lastly, going on what i read here and elsewhere it probably helps way much more than we think that g.r.'s prominent locals are so publically invested in the town and positive about it too. in ohio it seems like the influential wealthy folks remain mostly silent and withholding these days when we need to see and hear from them the most.

 

 

 

Being from GR, I kind of had to chuckle at a little of this.

 

The truth is, that is exactly what started downtown in the right direction, building an arena and hoping for spinoff. One of the smartest things we could of ever done.

 

Then the expansion of the conventional center, just a couple blocks away. That helped a little more.

 

They are now also planing on adding a new addition onto the Arena.

 

In Cincinnati, they redid fountain square, in GR, they redid, and renamed, Rosa Parks Circle. Unfortunetly, the old design had a better look, but less space for concerts. 

 

A new art museum as well, at the same location, was funded in part, I believe by puplic money as well.

 

The truth be told, if the city does not invest in itself, private companies probably will not be so inclined, either.  If GR had more money to work with, like the medical mile (Michigan st., which is seeing one high rise medical facility after another) GR would be doing much more than it already has, including making DT a bike path hub, kind of like Dayton and Columbus.  We have several, but few are presently connected.

 

 

As far as rehabbing everything in sight, if it were not for many, many protesters, our most prized pocession, Heritage Hill, would have all been bulldozed away for more tacky looking 80's buildings.

 

Also, the new Catholic deas on Wealthy and Division is not exactly rehabbing, or even fitting in the neighborhood.  That being said, though, they have invested and put alot of money into and helping GR.

 

Iona st., however, is one great example of rehabbing old buildings. (south of Fulton)

 

Concerning the wealthy in town, you are right.  Alot of what we have (and if voters approved it, a world class zoo would of been one of those things) has been built with great donations and the wealthy. That has helped unbelievably.  We must give credit where credit is due.  In saying that, I have seen many exhibits, shows, and other great things in Ciny that only happen because of the donations of the wealthy. I don't think you give the wealthy in your town nearly eneugh credit.  Keep an eye open from here on out on how many things you see sponsered by the wealthy in your home town.

 

 

GR is still in very rough shape job wise, as we were a big industial town, but with new schools and research centers, we are trying to turn some things around. The unemployent has already dripped down and some people that I know are beginning to find work somewhere again. That is great news from a state that has been in recession since the year 2000, comparing with other states.

 

 

Over all, if I am going to have to stay in MI, I could not think of a better city to be in. I know Detroit is not doing as good.  With all of the sandy beaches and lighthouses, lake resort towns, ship tours and dune rides, it really is not all that bad if you get out there to enjoy it.

 

No place is like the Cincy, but everyones heart belongs to a city of their own.

 

 

Wow!  The downtown areas appear to be new and/or very clean and well-kept.  Looks like a great town!  I hear the beaches/dunes/scenery along the eastern shore of Lake Michigan is beautiful as well. West Michigan shines on....

Here's the various metro area X-Way cams (I like the US-131/Wealthy Street Interchange cam the best): http://www.trafficland.com/city/GRR/index.html