Tis the season to be thankful and riders of The Rapid have many reasons to express gratitude. From cost savings and convenience to environmental and economic advantages, Greater Grand Rapids' transit system already receives good grades from its users, although many hope to see even more happy returns in the years ahead.

The first of four monthly forums presented by the West Michigan Environmental Action Council (WMEAC) will examine what is one of the most discussed alternative energy issues in West Michigan: offshore wind energy development.  WMEAC and the Center for Sustainability at Aquinas College will present "The What, Where and How of Lake Michigan Wind Turbines: Balancing Sustainable Energy with Lakeside Living and Natural Resources" Wednesday, Nov. 17 at Aquinas College's Donnelly Center at 7 p.m. The objective of the full series is to create a conversation on a wide variety of alternative energy issues and "prepare West Michigan for what can happen next -- much of which will be up for significant debate," says Daniel Schoonmaker, member services director of WMEAC.  Schoonmaker is pragmatic about the forums, acknowledging that some issues can be polarizing, but hopes the series will transcend the political debate and create a level of civic engagement where the discussion becomes focused on not whether to move forward with alternative energy, but how businesses, professionals and communities can find a balance while still advancing. "At some level, alternative energy policies will move forward," he says. The first forum will feature a panel of area experts. Topics such as reducing regional energy demand and investment in emerging energy technologies like solar, biomass, hydro and nuclear energy will be highlighted in future events. For more details on the first forum, panelists and future events, you can visit the WMEAC website. Source:  Daniel Schoonmaker, WMEAC Writer: John Rumery, Innovation and Jobs Editor

What people will see when traveling down the new Commerce Avenue SW are neat brick-lined sidewalks, 50 freshly planted trees, new bike racks and attractive decorative lighting. Commerce Avenue reopened last week after six months of intensive reconstruction and it's more than just a pretty face."Commerce (Avenue) was literally the worst street in the city; the potholes looked like craters on the moon," says Jay Fowler, executive director of the Grand Rapids Downtown Development Authority. "When we started doing this kind of work, so much of the infrastructure downtown was very much antiquated. We can't really expect private investors to invest in downtown when we don't improve the infrastructure."The section of Commerce between Cherry and Wealthy streets, plus Williams St. SW and Bartlett St. SW between Ionia and Commerce underwent $2.4 million of vital upgrades that include a new water main and water services to properties, new storm sewers and sanitary sewers, and new curbs, gutters and sidewalks.New street surfaces include asphalt on Commerce and brick pavers over concrete on Williams and Bartlett. The street reconstruction comes at a time when developers are wrapping up construction on investments of some $60 million for the new 38 (38 Commerce SW) and The Gallery apartments (Commerce SW and W. Fulton) and are seeking commercial and residential tenants. Recent investments of millions more created nightspots Stella's Lounge and The Viceroy (both at 53 Commerce SW), and new digs for Lambert, Edwards and Associates (47 Commerce SW) with plans for another nightspot and concert venue, The Pyramid Scheme, at 68 Commerce SW. The DDA contributed $1.2 million to fund the streetscaping portion of the project; the City of Grand Rapids funded the rest of the project. Dykema Excavators handled the excavation.Source: Jay Fowler, Downtown Development Authority; Tiiu Arrak, Public Information Administrator, City of Grand RapidsWriter: Deborah Johnson Wood, Development News Editor

Five years ago a neighborhood charrette called for the creation of quality housing and commercial development in Grand Rapids' Madison Square business district, part of a greater Southtown objective that includes revitalization of business districts at Franklin and Hall streets and S. Division Avenue. Now, after tens of millions of dollars in public and private investments in infrastructure, streets and lighting, new townhomes, commercial spaces, and the Lighthouse Communities Development Center (1167 Madison Ave. SE), nonprofit Lighthouse Communities, Inc. plans to continue the vision with Southtown Square, a proposed $5.5 million LEED-certified development. Lighthouse has an option to buy the former TJ's Appliance Store (413 Hall St. SE), across from Duthler's Family Foods. The plan is to raze it and construct a four-story mixed use building with 6,600 square feet of commercial space on the main level and 21 affordable-rate apartments above. "What makes this exciting is that it's not a stand-alone project, but it's connected to the development of the entire neighborhood," says Jeremy DeRoo, Lighthouse co-director with Darel Ross. "We will have approximately 20 percent of each new commercial development devoted as incubator space for startup retail or services businesses that can function within the district long-term," Ross adds. The incubators include access to free or discounted business services such as attorneys, insurance agents and accountants, and qualify for training and business plan development through Lighthouse Communities, Ross says. "We will close on the property once the state approves our application for low-income housing tax credits, which represent over 50 percent of the funding," DeRoo says. "I'm hopeful those will be approved within the next 30 days. If we're not selected, there will be another round for applications and we'll move up the line for approval."DeRoo says Lighthouse has applied for Brownfield Redevelopment tax credits for remediation of chemical contaminants from a former dry cleaner on the property. The architect for the project is Grand Rapids-based Isaac V. Norris & Associates.Source: Jeremy DeRoo and Darel Ross, Lighthouse Communities, Inc.Writer: Deborah Johnson Wood, Development News EditorRelated ArticlesLighthouse Communities' $1.7M development center brings co-working to Grand Rapids' Madison SquareMadison Square lands CID, stakeholders aim to attract new businesses to continue revitalizationMadison Square plans for parks, walking, and new business

Rick Snyder has selected Mark Murray, current president of Meijer, as part of his transition team as he prepares to become Michigan's next Governor.According to the story in the Detroit News:Governor-elect Rick Snyder is dipping into the business community to help in his transition after the sweeping Republican win in Michigan, tapping former state economic development director and current Business Leaders for Michigan President and CEO Doug Rothwell to run his transition team.Rothwell will be assisted by former Gov. John Engler Chief of Staff Sharon Rothwell, who besides working as vice president for corporate affairs at Masco Corp. in Taylor is Rothwell's wife. Rounding out the team is former budget director and state treasurer Mark Murray, now president of the Meijer Corp. in Grand Rapids.You can read the complete story here.

The Muskegon Chronicle reports that the push is on to garner public support for a proposed tribal casino at the former Great Lakes Downs racetrack and last week proponents launched a new web site and released site plans. According to excerpts from the story:On Tuesday, the people spoke at the ballot box. Now, backers of a local American Indian casino proposal are asking the people to speak out again. After weeks of inactivity because of the election, the push is back on in support of the proposed large-scale casino development on the former site of the Great Lakes Downs racetrack. The Little River Band of Ottawa Indians on Friday launched a new website,http://muskegonjobsnow.org, in an effort to provide details of the tribe's casino proposal in Muskegon County and drum up public pressure to help generate action by the state House of Representatives. The legislation that would allow for the off-reservation casino has featured committee hearings, including one in Muskegon County, and several delays since Gov. Jennifer Granholm and tribal Ogema Larry Romanelli signed a compact amendment in March.Read the complete story here.

Patients aren't the only ones needing help to make sense of healthcare reform.   A new organization will offer a way for the state's doctors and doctor groups to remain independent while, at same time, having access to the latest information, resources, training and expertise needed to stay current in the complex and quickly changing healthcare environment. The formation of the Physician Organization of Michigan (POM) was announced last week. Goals of the POM include helping participating physicians reduce or contain the growth of healthcare costs. According to David Silliven, executive director, an organization like POM serves independent physicians who are not only responsible for the patient care, but also responsible for running their business.    Besides helping these physicians meet new requirements resulting from healthcare reform and private insurance firms policies, POM also provides opportunities for training and shared technology platforms that are more common for physicians employed by a hospital. Silliven feels his organization will help physicians remain independent, which in turn is a positive for patient care. "The more competition, the better the consumer is served," he says. Source: David Silliven, Physician Organization of Michigan (POM) Writer: John Rumery, Innovations and Job News Writer