I'm pretty sure that site plan is older, I posted the same site plan in this thread on March 19, 2011. I certainly hope that they don't plan on building an office building like that there.
I agree, not much of a web site yet. But it's a positive development. At least once a week I drive along Cedar/Shiawassee, or ride along the River Trail, near the Marketplace to check on the construction progress. At least now that it has an actual web site, I'm hoping we'll see more construction activity at the site soon. (Though the Capitol Cub tower also had a web site...)
Absolutely, I agree with you. In driving by Marketplace today on my way home, I saw more activity at the site. I remember with the Capitol Club, thinking great they have a web site now, it may mean progress... Certainly the difference here is that construction on Marketplace has actually begun (rather than just demolition of an existing structure).
I definitely would like to see something - mixed use? - built on the Capitol Club site. That that area of downtown (with the exception of the Grand Tower) feels sparse to me.
One project, in addition to the Capitol Club, that I wish would have materialized was the City Center Studios. It was unique and seemed to complement the nearby Stadium district well.
More related to the Marketplace & Ballpark North... Any update on Ballpark North? My understanding is that it is contingent to the proposed casino downtown (e.g. if the casino is built, then a parking garage goes there. If no casino, then..?)
Yes, Grand Ave is not the most impressive gateway into downtown - Grand Tower excluded. The first several blocks north of I-496 - especially along Grand Ave (as it is the "downtown" exit along westbound 496), and along Pine/Walnut streets are underwhelming. Not much of downtown is visible from 496 which is somewhat disappointing. (exception traveling westbound on 496 near the Grand River). Overall, the freeway does not have much of an urban feel to me.
Sorry this is a little off topic (probably a better fit for the General Lansing development page).
Updated marketplace renderings. Due to the slope of the land, the building appears 4 stories from the parking lot side, I believe the 5th/bottom floor will be visible from the City Market.
Brick rendered? I don't know, part of the building (light gray) looks suspiciously like vinyl siding.
I too wish the site plan was more like the Stadium District, where the 4-5 story building faces the road, bottom floor retail, with parking behind. That may mean parking is visible from the river... But heck the new Accident Fund ramp is built along the river (side note - but that's the one thing I don't like about the new Accident Fund pad downtown).
The rendering does leave much to desire. For me, and like you mentioned, it's near impossible to tell the exact plan for parking or how it will all look from Cedar or Shiawassee Streets. Perhaps this will be somewhat like the State Police building downtown, where the finished building and landscaping - while not as grand as originally planned - looked somewhat better than the renderings.
I agree completely, and would much rather see buildings/storefronts/apts along Cedar St, rather than a large parking lot. Something similar to the Stadium District, as you mentioned. Since Marketplace is being built in phases, rather slowly, I'd hope that plans will change over time (i.e. no parking lots along Cedar St).
Comments
I definitely would like to see something - mixed use? - built on the Capitol Club site. That that area of downtown (with the exception of the Grand Tower) feels sparse to me.
One project, in addition to the Capitol Club, that I wish would have materialized was the City Center Studios. It was unique and seemed to complement the nearby Stadium district well.
More related to the Marketplace & Ballpark North... Any update on Ballpark North? My understanding is that it is contingent to the proposed casino downtown (e.g. if the casino is built, then a parking garage goes there. If no casino, then..?)
Sorry this is a little off topic (probably a better fit for the General Lansing development page).
Marketplace rendering
I too wish the site plan was more like the Stadium District, where the 4-5 story building faces the road, bottom floor retail, with parking behind. That may mean parking is visible from the river... But heck the new Accident Fund ramp is built along the river (side note - but that's the one thing I don't like about the new Accident Fund pad downtown).
The rendering does leave much to desire. For me, and like you mentioned, it's near impossible to tell the exact plan for parking or how it will all look from Cedar or Shiawassee Streets. Perhaps this will be somewhat like the State Police building downtown, where the finished building and landscaping - while not as grand as originally planned - looked somewhat better than the renderings.
Taken from Shiawassee Street bridge (facing south):
from City Market Place Drive (facing north):
from City Market Parking Lot (facing east):
Not huge progress, but it's good to see some building construction besides just site prep.