Deborah Johnson WoodAdtegrity, an online advertising network for advertisers and web site publishers, will be moving its offices and 26 employees from Cascade Township to 38 Commerce in Grand Rapids in a few weeks. "We're purchasing the whole second floor of 38," says Scott Brew, Adtegrity's president and CEO. "Things are proceeding very rapidly and we're in that last stretch where we're really excited and time seems to slow down."38, a mixed-use development by Locus Development, offers apartments, residential condominiums, commercial units and an attached parking ramp. The building is under construction on the corner of Commerce and Weston.With 20-foot-high ceilings, the Adtegrity space has enough room for a mezzanine level with private offices and a conference room with glass walls that overlooks the area below. The main level of the space will have traditional workstations, but will be open to the high ceiling. A glass curtain wall overlooks Weston Street SW and part of the Heartside business district to the north and east. "The curtain wall has a curved corner at Commerce, and that's part of our social area," Brew says. "When you're in it, it feels like you're hanging over the corner of Commerce and Weston."The social area includes a ping pong table, equipment to play X-Box and Wii, and there's an adjacent kitchen. The buildout will be LEED certified. "I've watched forward-thinking people like John Green, Andy Winkel (Locus Development) and Sam Cummings (CWD Real Estate Investment) do really cool stuff downtown and I wanted to be part of it," Brew says. "I believe it's necessary to have a vibrant urban core, and I need to put my money where my mouth is." Source: Scott Brew, AdtegrityRelated ArticlesDowntown conveniences attract first tenant to innovative Heartside developmentDeborah Johnson Wood is development news editor for Rapid Growth Media. She can be contacted at [email protected]. Development News tips can be sent to [email protected].

Deborah Johnson WoodViceroy won't have an outdoor sign – just a light above the door like a Prohibition-era speakeasy. But, unlike those covert establishments, you won't need a secret password to get in – if the light's lit, just ring the bell. Owners Mark and Michele Sellers have designed the new bar at 53 Commerce to emulate bars from the 1930s, with an emphasis on classic handmade cocktails. And ringing the bell for entry is a strategic measure. "The reason is because the classic cocktails are time and labor intensive," says Mark Sellers. "It will take three minutes to make some drinks because we'll have to chop a block of ice, and layer the ingredients in the right order. Egg whites will have to be shaken up to a foam for the tops of some drinks. If we had so many customers it was standing room only, we'd never be able to keep up. That manner of entry will limit the number of people we let in at one time.""We'll make all of our own infusions," says General Manager Garry Boyd. "If a drink requires blackberry brandy, we'll infuse the brandy with blackberries. And we'll have homemade tonic, which has flavor. I think that once people have a gin and tonic or vodka tonic made with it, they won't go anywhere else."Boyd says Viceroy will offer a simple but enjoyable beer and wine list, but "flips, rickys, fizzes and smashes" will be king. Hungry patrons will have an assortment of appetizers to choose from, with specialties like Scotch eggs, homemade port wine cheese, spicy nuts, a trio of bruschettas, and zucchini and eggplant chips with Greek scordelia sauce. Sellers expects the bar to open a few weeks after Stella's Lounge May 1 opening. Source: Mark Sellers and Garry Boyd, Viceroy Related ArticlesGrand Rapids' new Stella's Lounge to feature 200 whiskeys, vegetarian menu Deborah Johnson Wood is development news editor for Rapid Growth Media. She can be contacted at [email protected]. Development News tips can be sent to [email protected].

If Michigan lawmakers promise to give Grand Valley State University the same level of funding as they give other Michigan universities, GVSU promises to reduce tuition 5 percent immediately. According to excerpts from the story:Grand Valley State University would immediately lower tuition by 5 percent, if lawmakers pledge to give the school the same level of funding the other state universities get, President Thomas Haas says.Haas was scheduled to testify today before the state House Higher Education Appropriations Committee, arguing the state needs to hold the line on cuts to colleges to help create an educated work force and help the state's financial rebound.Haas said the state House and Senate for the past two years agreed on a funding "floor" for colleges at $3,775 per student, but Grand Valley is still well below that amount."Our students are fully deserving of the state's minimum funding level. Should Grand Valley be funded at the floor of $3,775 ... I will immediately reduce tuition by 5 percent," he said in remarks prepared in advance. Read the complete story here.

Developers say the market for newer apartments and condos in downtown Grand Rapids is starting to improve, based on the rising number of housing market deals. The developers say most of the interest has been in the lower end of the market for rentals and condos.

It's much welcomed news for those who have invested millions of dollars with the vision that downtown living in River City would be a big hot spot for young professionals and baby boomers.

According to excerpts from the story:

While increased interest in urban living has been a force for helping absorb units, several canceled developments and one large project that turned around after going into receivership may have, in an odd way, helped the market by taking away some uncertainty.

Read the complete story here.

A Grand Rapids-based cancer research and education program reports good news in the fight against breast cancer on the effectiveness of two preventative drugs following a clinical trial that lasted nearly seven years.

The West Michigan Environmental Action Council has honored three organizations with its second annual Triple Top Line award for their efforts that have or will soon contribute to the region's rich tapestry of sustainability practices.

Deborah Johnson WoodBeta Design and Pinnacle Construction will soon share a collaborative workspace along the Grand River as part of an initiative to drive business for the two companies. Beta Design will relocate from two floors at 70 Ionia SW, Grand Rapids to 5,000 square feet in Pinnacle's building at 1000 Front St. NW.The two companies will remain separate entities but will share a conference room, library and reception area. However, both companies say the most significant reason for the change is to offer a single source for clients looking for design, construction and engineering expertise. "We can learn from each other and share ideas," says Beta Design owner Adriana Bylsma. "Normally a client can hire an architect who will create tons of detailed drawings so the client can put in a bid. But if we work with the construction company right from the beginning, we can reduce the details because we can find better ways of doing things.""We can team together and approach clients with a fully integrated approach," says Michael Garrett, president of Pinnacle Construction. "We're stronger together than we are as just individual firms. We'll be able to work together very quickly and bounce ideas off each other. Being in the same building, we can quickly get feedback on costs of a project as it's being designed so a client can consider it very quickly."Pinnacle has been in the building eight years and has always had the extra space; Garrett says he was looking for a related business to bring in. Bylsma has searched downtown Grand Rapids for a space where Beta Design could reduce its carbon footprint and bring its 25 employees into a collaborative environment with a complementary company. Bylsma and Garrett say both firms will continue to work with other outside companies on development projects. "I can see that we will try to open opportunities for each other," Bylsma says. "It becomes more than just one person on the street trying to see opportunities."Source: Adriana Bylsma, Beta Design; Michael Garrett, Pinnacle ConstructionDeborah Johnson Wood is development news editor for Rapid Growth Media. She can be contacted at [email protected]. Development News tips can be sent to [email protected].

Deborah Johnson WoodBeginning May 1, Stella's Lounge will light up the Grand Rapids night with punk and alternative music selections compiled by Herm Baker of Vertigo Music, a vegetarian menu, vintage video games from the 70s and 80s, and whiskey – more than 200 different kinds.The new bar, 53 Commerce Ave. SW, has what owner Mark Sellers calls an "old school, 70s vibe" and shares an address, a kitchen and restrooms with its sister bar next door, Viceroy, which is still under construction. Sellers and his wife, Michele, came up with the idea for the bar following a successful run with nearby HopCat, their first foray into the Grand Rapids bar business after living in Chicago and returning to Mark's hometown. "The bar is handmade by Aaron Heineman of Heineman Bar Company, who made the bar for HopCat and is making the one for Viceroy," Mark Sellers says. "He's a Chicago guy I used to know when I lived down there. The bar will be 40 feet long."Stella's is a place I'd go for fun," Sellers adds. "When I open bars I kinda just think about what I would like. I love craft beer so that's what HopCat is all about, and I love the older video games so that's what this bar is about." The games include pinball, Ms. Pac Man, Frogger, Tron and Centipede. Sellers bought the real thing – used games from eBay, and some from Chattanooga Pinball Co. and Belmont-based Game Room Guys. The vegetarian menu includes one meat lovers pick: a colossal stuffed hamburger with pepperjack cheese and jalapeno, topped with a specialty hot sauce.As for drinks, "we're not going to reinvent the wheel," says Garry Boyd, general manager. "As a matter of fact we're going to make it really simple – you'll be able to get drinks for a good price and the draft list will be independently-owned breweries, no Bud, Miller or Coors."The bar's opening created just under 50 new jobs, including full-time management and chef positions. Source: Mark Sellers and Garry Boyd, Stella'sDeborah Johnson Wood is development news editor for Rapid Growth Media. She can be contacted at [email protected]. Development News tips can be sent to [email protected].