The empty former St. Andrew Elementary School and the long-vacant Eerdman's Publishing building could soon be rubble, a next step toward completing the vision of building an attractive gateway to both the Grand Rapids Catholic Diocese's new Cathedral Square and to a proposed new entrance to Saint Mary's Health Care. The diocese, which owns the school building (corner of Sheldon and Maple SE), and Saint Mary's, owner of the publishing building (corner of Maple and Jefferson SE), have submitted joint plans to the Grand Rapids Planning Commission to level both buildings. This would create an unobstructed view across several acres of land stretching along Jefferson and Maple streets between Saint Mary's Hospital (200 Jefferson St. SE) and the Cathedral of St. Andrew (265 Sheldon SE). The proposed result is a lighted, pedestrian-friendly plaza along Maple St. SE, incorporating pedestrian and automobile access to and from points in-between. The project, the Maple Street Improvement Plan, wraps up construction of the diocese's $22 million Cathedral Square development. In addition, Saint Mary's will develop the west side of Jefferson directly in front of the hospital. "Our front parking lot will be reconstructed and will include a sculptural centerpiece and more green space, but leaving room for parking on either side," says Micki Benz, Saint Mary's VP of public relations. "It will lead right into the new boulevard on the west side (of Jefferson). Saint Mary's had this in our master campus plan we presented to the city in 2006; this is the second phase of implementation.The first phase was completing the Hauenstein Center." Benz says the project has generated some interest from physicians and developers that could result in a mixed-use development on the west side of Jefferson, but that is several years off. A news release dated Feb. 6, 2011 states that the planning commission will review the plans in March. No demolition or construction dates have been set. Source: Micki Benz, Saint Mary's Health Care; Diocese of Grand RapidsWriter: Deborah Johnson Wood, Development News EditorRelated ArticlesHeartside's $22M Cathedral Square on track for July completionRGTV - After three years, $60M Hauenstein Center at Saint Mary's receives first patientsSaint Mary's Health Care expansion integrates proposed Bus Rapid Transit

Arnie's, an iconic Grand Rapids bakery and restaurant is getting ready to start construction on their new building after the devastating fire in 2007. According to excerpts from MLive: Plans call for beginning construction on the $500,000 project as early as April and completing it in the summer. The company's former two-story headquarters on the site will be incorporated into the new restaurant. That old headquarters will be expanded with a 4,100 square-foot addition, creating a 7,600-square-foot restaurant and bakery. The new Arnie's will be about the same size as the previous 150-seat restaurant, Erik Fahlen, the Fahlen's brother and the Arnie's Inc.‚ vice-president. Rebuilding on the original 1.5 acre site is a reversal of plans announced last summer when the company made a deal with a pair of Chicago businessmen to redevelop the acreage with a mix of retail and offices. At that time, the family planned to add on to its bakery plant farther down Leonard, where its corporate offices are now located. You can read the entire story here.

Along with dozens of comedy stars, WZZM-13 reports that LaughFest has signed the internationally renowned homeboys, The Verve Pipe, for musical entertainment on what the event has dubbed Super Saturday.According to excerpts from the story:The Verve Pipe, featuring local musician Brian VanderArk, will be playing at LaughFest this spring, according to festival organizers.The band will be playing during the March 19 Super Saturdays event at Ford Fieldhouse.Gilda's LaughFest runs from March 10 - March 20 at dozens of locations around Grand Rapids. Along with several regular comedy shows, there will be more than 100 free events during the ten-day event that benefits Gilda's Club of Grand Rapids.Read the complete story here.

Grand Rapids-based IT consulting firm, C/D/H, is growing, having added nine new hires in the past eight months. They are continuing to look for more talent. According to Sarah Woodruff, marketing manager, there is an increased demand from in the marketplace for their services as "businesses are more positive and budgets are opening up." Woodruff indicates it was difficult for awhile to find qualified and talented people, but the talent pool is deeper now. "Our staff needs to have technical expertise and business acumen," she says. "They need to be able to have a conversation about technology and business issues."   Woodruff indicates this "well-rounded" skill set is critical as their firm views IT as tool for innovation and "not just a cost center." For individuals looking to build a career around technology, Woodruff recommends that anyone coming out of school to secure an internship. She also recommends doing "a lot of reading," citing the need "to be able to communicate technology in business terms." For information on career opportunities at C/D/H, you can visit their site here. Source: Sarah Woodruff. C/D/H Writer: John Rumery, Innovation and Jobs Editor

2011 is the 15th year anniversary of WizWheelz and the TerraTrike brand, but there won't be any party -- just more work, innovation and growth. Not content to pedal by serenely on the success of 2010, during which they shook up the industry by introducing Rover, a $795 radically designed trike, which ended up being the "Trike of the Year" on BentriderOnline.com, TerraTrike will rolling out 15 new products this year including 8 new trikes and 7 accessories. The Kentwood-based company is cruising on 30% growth over the last three years and has high expectations for the future. "We're busting at the seams," says Jeff Yonker, marketing director.   The success of their business has required a doubling in the size of their warehouse, and they are in the process of turning their shop into a destination retail location for trike enthusiasts from all over the country. Yonker points out the the trike industry is "part of the biking culture" that is also flourishing, but at the same time, trikes are a separate industry. "Our demographic is aging baby boomers who might be intimated by the 'Lance Armstrong' scene at many bike shops," Yonker says. With the expansion of their facility and the introduction of new products, TerraTrike is also hiring. You can view the online application here.    To learn more about WizWheelz and TerraTrike, visit their website here. Source: Jeff Yonker, WizWheelz Writer: John Rumery, Innovation and Jobs Editor