Grand Rapids: We need to bolster ties!

[Newdetroit]

It's amazing how little there seems to be interaction between Detroit and Grand Rapids. When we look West, we tend to think of Chicago instead of Grand Rapids. Not that I have anything against Chicago, but I feel we should promote tourism from Detroit to Grand Rapids. I think that Grand Rapids has done a good job with their downtown; coffee shops, art gallaries, musuems, etc. I just wish that there was more exchange between Metro Detroit and Grand Rapids. Grand Rapids' Metro area is 775,000...not too small. Perhaps a bullet train between the two cities might increase interaction between the two cities. What are people's thoughts? Should Metro Detroit, with half the state's population, try to bolster Grand Rapids status and increase cultural, economic, and social interaction?

[Left_For_Texas]

Better ties between the two cities would be great. But I grew up in Grand Rapids and the conservative folks in G.R. tend to have the same disdain for Detroit that Detroit's suburbs have.

[Kathleen]

Grand Rapids does have a lot to offer! Meijer Gardens, Ford Presidential Museum, Meyer May House [[designed by Frank Lloyd Wright; owned and operated by Steelcase) in a historic walkable neighborhood, Grand Rapids Art Museum, nice restaurants, clubs with good music, etc. All of the above make it an attractive daytrip, overnight trip, or weekend getaway!! And the flipside could be said of Detroit for those who live in that area. Marketed in the right way, it could be a win-win for both cities.

[Ray1936]

If you think Detroit gets too much snow, don't move to Grand Rapids. Other than that, it's an excellent place to live or visit. Ray 1936 lived there from 1937 to 1941. Unfortunately, my memories seem to have faded.

[5speedz34]

I have a buddy who lives in Grand Haven and went to GVSU [[both Allendale and GR campuses). Although I haven't seen much of GR downtown I know he loves it and everything I've read/heard has been good.

Having said that, they are super right wing Christian Conservatives and probably think that most of use Detroiters kill or do drugs in cult-like settings. The West Side gets tons of tourism from the Chicagoland area too. I think that a train going across the state through Lansing would be a great thing and would hopefully bridge the gap that is the 'great schism' of East/West Michigan.

[iheartthed]

I don't really see what Detroit gains from bolstering Grand Rapids.

[5speedz34]

I don't really see what Detroit gains from bolstering Grand Rapids.

Aside from uniting the state to some extent [[which wouldn't be a bad thing IMO). GVSU pulls most of their in-state students from the Detroit Area. They advertise heavily around here.

[DetroitPlanner]

Downtown GR has less retail than Downtown Detroit does, it just looks whiter.

Besides the Fredrik Meijer Garden and the Ford presidential museum, what real draw would there be for tourism from Detroit to GR? Detroit has far more of a draw for GR residents be it museums, regional shopping malls [[IKEA), sporting events, caSINos, cultural activities.

I'm not saying that eveything in Detroit is World Class or there is nothing of value in GR, only that I would expect the opposite to be true with folks from GR having more of a reason to go to Detroit.

[5speedz34]

DetroitPlanner, tourism-wise I agree, although there are new casinos much closer to GR now. Nothing wrong with unifying together as one state though!

[iheartthed]

Aside from uniting the state to some extent [[which wouldn't be a bad thing IMO). GVSU pulls most of their in-state students from the Detroit Area. They advertise heavily around here.

Yeah, but I still don't see why Detroit should spend much resources bolstering ties with Grand Rapids, especially if the choice is between solidifying ties with Chicago or GR. Yes, I know you can do both, but let's be real, the ROI from latching up with Chicago is far greater than latching up with Grand Rapids.

[BrushStart]

Before I went to GR about a year ago, I didn't even know that there was an actual "city" there. When I drove up, I was astonished to see that GR has a nice skyline. I spent the weekend with some friends in downtown GR and was really impressed, both by how clean GR is compared to Detroit, and by how active the city is. Visually, GR's downtown is very attractive and it is also walkable. They did a good job developing along the river. GR feels more like Chicago than it does Detroit though based on the layout of the streets. I was honestly surprised by how large GR is and by how much there is to do there in terms of nightlife.

DeVoss, Van Andel, and the Meijer family have collectively poured billions into building that city up. While GR's population hasn't moved much since 2000, Detroit had better be careful or people who are looking to live in a decent urban area may start to defect. I think GR will continue to grow as Michiganders who moved to Chicago after college may return to the state and choose GR over Metro Detroit.

While I love living in downtown Detroit, especially my access to pro sports and major cultural institutions, there is something to be said for GR. This will really hold true if Detroit starts losing those institutions, i.e. the DSO, DIA, and Opera House. Just a thought...

Edit: The DY equivalent for GR is on UrbanPlanet.org. Here is a link to building developments in downtown GR: http://www.urbanplanet.org/forums/to...-roundup-2009/ Wish we had some of these...

[Kathleen]

Grand Rapids' appeal is its location, within a few hours' drive of Detroit. Combine that with its cultural institutions and its nightlife and restaurants, and it makes a nice getaway trip. As much as I love Detroit and what we have here in southeastern Michigan, I really enjoy visiting the sites in other cities and locales. Makes you feel like you are on vacation even if you have only a day or two to play!! In addition, you can head over to the western Michigan coast from Grand Rapids. There's more history and art and wineries and the natural coastline to enjoy.

[GOAT]

Never going to happen. The west side of the state thinks the east side is crazy, dysfunctional, criminal and they are tired of paying for it.

All of the above comes from people who I know live on the side of the state or in Grand Rapids.

[wolverine]

I love GR. There's alot of great new development going on there, and the Heartside neighborhood is cool.

Folks here in the Chi talk very positively about it.

[Gistok]

When I think of the conservative western part of the state versus the more liberal SE Michigan, I can't help but think about the cultural clash in this humorous context...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=plwq4...eature=related

[kahnman]

After moving from Novi when I was a kid, I lived in GR from 1971 to 1986. GR does have a strong Dutch Christian Reformed presence but you learn to live [[and profit) from it like any other faction you are not affiliated with.

As a young adult, I loved living in GR - Heritage Hill - to be exact. You could have your pick of gorgeous apartments in mansions to live in and you were only 5 blocks from downtown! Check it out:


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We could choose from seeing concerts/events in either Detroit or Chicago - equal distance- or the few that actually played in GR. I saw Lou Reed in the Fountain Street Church in GR - what a blast!

Yes, there are some "rough" areas but nothing on the scope of Detroit's problems. I moved away before Amway & Co. started the heavy investment in town but when I go back, I am amazed at the vitality of the downtown and "Research Hill" areas of the city.

I'm sorry to say it, but Grand Rapids would be my preference over Detroit if I was doing my youth all over again for small city livability issues and geographical proximity to two large urban areas.

[Detroitnerd]

I have heard that Grand Rapids wants nothing to do with Detroit. Their weather maps don't even show Ann Arbor.

[kahnman]

Sad, but you may have some truth in that statement, Detroitnerd. I remember a certain psychological / geographical separation between the two cities even back then. It was kind of a "Western Michigan" and "Everybody Else" undercurrent that was perpetuated.

[Patrick]

There is a huge divide between Detroit and Grand Rapids and I am not talking about geography. I have relatives on that side of the state and they are under the impression that their “Amway Dutch” work ethic carried the state for the past 50 years when the fail to realize it was Detroit’s auto industry that really put the state on the map more than any furniture factory.

In June I was dragged to a graduation party in GR when I was back in Detroit visiting and it felt like a rerun of Leave it to Beaver…but with assholes. These were affluent people, many of Dutch ancestry, just ripping on SE Michigan in general…NOT just Detroit. Most told me that they look towards Chicago for influence and culture. Several said that they wished SE Michigan would just break away and form its own State…these people were being dead serious.

The most interesting thing was how everyone I met wanted to see the automakers fail. They were under the impression that they wouldn’t be affected by Chrysler liquidation and that it would be great for the state. Basically, I felt like I was at some kind of Tea Party event, but instead of worshipping Palim, these people were worshipping Amway because II had 4 different people try their lame-ass pyramid scheme sales routine on me.

[DownriverGRap]

The most interesting thing was how everyone I met wanted to see the automakers fail. They were under the impression that they wouldn’t be affected by Chrysler liquidation and that it would be great for the state. Basically, I felt like I was at some kind of Tea Party event, but instead of worshipping Palim, these people were worshipping Amway because II had 4 different people try their lame-ass pyramid scheme sales routine on me.

This is my first time posting on DY. Long Time reader, new poster. This thread struck a chord with me as a native Metro Detroiter [[Downriver-born and raised) now living in Grand Rapids. I can validate many of the thoughts expressed in this thread. My wife and her family have spent their entire lives in Grand Rapids and know little about Detroit besides cars and sports. For example, when someone went to Port Huron for a wedding last week, they said they were in Detroit. I had to go to the right hand map to point out that the two locations and that they are not even close.

I have a friend who is also a GR Native and fellow GVSU grad. He is the living example of “PATRICK’s” post. He goes on and on about what a hell hole Detroit is, and that Grand Rapids is the engine of the Michigan economy [[GO AMWAY!). He is completely ignorant to the reality that Detroit drives Michigan and is exponentially larger than Grand Rapids. I have almost gotten into fist fights with him over this very discussion. I tell him constantly that Grand Rapids would not be what it is today without the resources of its big brother Detroit. Manufacturing is huge out here and besides office furniture they manufacture AUTO PARTS FOR DETROIT AUTO MAKERS.

I love Grand Rapids, it has a lot of art, culture, and entertainment options, the new medical developments are fantastic, and it is very family oriented---but it is by no means a big city. This town used to be referred to as “Bland Rapids” until a few big names decided to reinvent things and throw a ton of cash at Downtown.

The one thing GR has that I wish Detroit did is more people willing to invest in the city. In GR we have the usual suspects, DeVos, VanAndel, Meijer, Cook, and DeWitt. In Detroit, there are big business people like Illitch, Karmonos, and Gilbert but many more need to step up based on the sheer size of the city. A few people cannot do it all themselves. That’s why I follow this forum, because I feel like I am on an island over here amongst Detroit haters and need people that I can share my dream of a Detroit comeback.

[Detroitnerd]

Excellent, informative first post, DownriverGRap. Welcome to the discussion.

[DownriverGRap]

Thanks! After reading it again I feel it is almost more of a rant, but I needed to put that out there. Love GR but miss Detroit. My wife gets mad at me during Detroit 187 because I distract her by pointing out the scenery!

[Blueidone]

Welcome DownriverGRap! My father, who was born in Highland Park, MI, has lived in GR for the past 20 years. I went to Grand Valley [[but back when it was still a State College and in it's infancy) and visit the area often because of my father.

You are absolutely correct about the attitudes of GR residents when it comes to Detroit...my father included! I think perhaps the younger generation is less "conservative", but those in my father's circle of friends are probably the most narrow minded, bigoted group of people I have ever run into [[including my father, unfortunately).

But you are also correct that the City of Grand Rapids is much cleaner, active and culturally significant now than it was back in the late 60's when I was there. The investments made in the City, the universities and the cultural aspects have brought them out of the "Bland Rapids" feeling by leaps and bounds.

Although I don't believe the GR would be interested in any collaboration between the two areas, I do believe it would be good for Detroit and the whole state to foster some sort of "sisterhood" if you will.

[Farrer]

All of WeMI looks to and travels to Chicago for their big city experience. Can you blame them? Some already have and more will but come on. Many comments spoken are true and there is a large disconnect between Detroit and GR. The comment about the similarity between the suburbs' disconnect with the city being analogous to GR/Detroit rings true somewhat. Detroit's insular nature reinforces this and the condition of the city shocks many from WeMI. Downtown GR right now is really something, with the ArtPrize thing going on. I've been skating on the parking garages and parking on the street over by the missions in the Heartside district, a short walk. Alongside those missions are new satellite campuses for WMU and Cooley Law, and I mean right next door. There are NO Detroit diamonds lining the streets.

The Tigers are most of the state's favorite team but there has always been a strong Cubs following in WeMI, from the Indiana border to GR. They cover the Cubs as well as the Tigers in the GR Press, and always have.

I'm a little surprised there are not more Detroit artists in the ArtPrize competition. There sure are plenty of them and good ones, but having local connections helps in connecting with good venues.

All that said, better relations between the two couldn't hurt a thing.

[skyl4rk]

So it sounds like Grand Rapidians and DYes posters have similar views about Detroit.