The success and vision of Grand Action

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - By summer 2014, The Big Old Building -- a collection of bars and restaurants across from Van Andel Arena -- will have a much different look.

An outdoor festival market place, biergarten and 2000-seat venue for concerts and other events will be added to The BOB , said Gilmore Collection managing partner Greg Gilmore.
 
"We're going to be able to create a lot of new events. It will be great for new artists, musicians and all kinds of different entertainment components that may not be here in the city or on a regular basis."

The BOB is one example of the spinoff effects of big projects like Van Andel Arena.

Grand Action is the group of movers and shakers brought together in the early 1990s to come up with a way to bring people downtown, by building an arena and expanded convention center.

Dick DeVos, one of the founders of Grand Action, said the successes of the effort may make the group unnecessary.

"You have a vision that it's going to get better, but you don't know exactly how it's going to look," DeVos told 24 Hour News 8 on Monday. "But I have to say I couldn't be more pleased with what I see happening in the downtown area."

But with the arena now in its 17th year of operation, and other projects like the Downtown Market well underway, what's next for Grand Action?

"I think Grand Action's vision is that we no longer become necessary," he said. "And that's really happening."

But DeVos said the influence won't go away.

While no marquee brick-and-mortar projects are on the horizon,  he says there are major issues the community needs to tackle.
 
"Our Grand Rapids schools have got to get better," he said.

Without getting specific, DeVos said the influence of Grand Action, even if not by name, needs to address  problems in Grand Rapids Public Schools for the city to prosper.

"They have been failing miserably, frankly, and it has got to change. I'm encouraged by new leadership, but we need action."