Tag Archives: Grand Rapids

Ten cool urban tree canopy maps

Posted on December 17, 2013 by

Below are a cool and coloful assortment of urban tree canopy maps from around the United States to enjoy on these cold, snowy, and gray days. Each of the maps is unique unto itself, but all clearly depict the green infrastructure … Continue reading →

Posted in art, cities, civics, civility, climate change, Communications, education, energy, environment, geography, government, health, historic preservation, history, humanity, infrastructure, land use, landscape architecture, nature, North America, pictures, placemaking, planning, politics, pollution, recreation, seasons, spatial design, sustainability, tourism, Travel, urban planning, Wildlife | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

It’s the only way to fly!

Posted on April 28, 2013 by

Kudos to Gerald Ford International Airport in Grand Rapids, Michigan, who announced this past Thursday that Bell’s Brewery will be opening a new brewpub in the Great Hall pre-security shopping/dining portion of the airport terminal. With fantastic beers like Oberon, … Continue reading →

Posted in adaptive reuse, advertising, air travel, airport planning, airports, architecture, aviation, beer, branding, brewpubs, cities, commerce, consumerism, Cuisine, culture, economic development, economic gardening, entertainment, entrepreneurship, Food, fun, infrastructure, land use, logistics, marketing, placemaking, planning, product design, third places, tourism, transportation, Travel, Welcome | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

More “GRand” engine houses

Posted on April 1, 2013 by

After my initial post last week about three grand engine houses which had been preserved in Grand Rapids, Michigan, two readers noted some other ones that I had missed. Thank you John and Dave for the suggestions. : ) Ever … Continue reading →

Posted in adaptive reuse, architecture, art, cities, civics, Communications, culture, downtown, economic development, economic gardening, entrepreneurship, geography, government, health, historic preservation, history, Housing, infrastructure, land use, logistics, pictures, placemaking, planning, product design, revitalization, skylines, spatial design, third places, tourism, transportation, Travel, urban planning, zoning | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Grand engine houses of GR

Posted on March 27, 2013 by

The following photos show three absolutely stunning and historic fire engine houses in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Each has been lovingly cared for and restored. Their fine architecture is as impressive today as when they first opened in the latter third … Continue reading →

Posted in adaptive reuse, architecture, art, cities, civics, commerce, Cuisine, downtown, economic development, economic gardening, entertainment, entrepreneurship, geography, government, health, historic preservation, history, infrastructure, land use, logistics, placemaking, planning, revitalization, spatial design, third places, tourism, Travel, urban planning | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Smitten by Mitten Brewing Company

Posted on March 17, 2013 by

Last evening, Alison and I decided to have dinner and drinks at a brand new brewpub in Grand Rapids that opened this past October. Mitten Brewing Company is located in lovingly restored 1890 historic landmark fire station (Engine House #9) … Continue reading →

Posted in Active transportation, adaptive reuse, architecture, art, branding, cities, commerce, Cuisine, culture, economic development, economic gardening, entertainment, entrepreneurship, Food, geography, government, historic preservation, history, infrastructure, land use, new urbanism, placemaking, planning, product design, revitalization, spatial design, sports, third places, tourism, Travel, urban planning, walking | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

In the land o’ lake o’ffect snow

Posted on February 5, 2013 by

Over the past several weeks I have had my first prolonged opportunity to experience what it is like to live in the land of lake effect snows. Just last Friday evening and overnight we received 15 inches of new lake … Continue reading →

Posted in cities, civics, climate change, commerce, culture, downtown, environment, geography, infrastructure, land use, nature, placemaking, planning, sustainability, transportation, weather | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

GR’s “Wealthy” home of tasty treats

Posted on January 27, 2013 by

Located just southeast of downtown Grand Rapids is a delightful third place full of sweet and tasty treats that first opened in 2002. The Wealthy Street Bakery was one of the first places Alison took me in Grand Rapids after … Continue reading →

Posted in adaptive reuse, art, cities, coffee shops/cafes, commerce, Cuisine, culture, economic development, economic gardening, entrepreneurship, Food, historic preservation, land use, new urbanism, placemaking, planning, revitalization, Small business, sustainability, third places, tourism, Travel, urban planning | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments