Archive for the ‘News’ Category

Congratulations to the local owners of the new Pak Mail store located at 5751 Byron Center Ave, Suite U.

This is the 3rd location for this owner, stop by today and put their expertise to use for your shipping, packing and mailing needs

No shipping need is too large or too small. They even offer custom crate and packing solutions.

Conveniently located at the Bayberry Marketplace retail center, on Byron Center Ave, just off of M6. Directly across from Metro Hospital, and neighboring other great establishments such as; BoRics, Blue Ginger, Re/Max Lifestyles, Red Geranium, Chubby’s, Quizno’s and more!

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For more information, contact the store directly at 616.532.4430, or visit www.pakmail.com

Eastbrook Homes has begun their transformation of Carlisle Crossings! Signs went up a few weeks ago, and the landscapers have been busy cutting back over growth, planting new trees and installing dozens of landscaping rocks!

We’re excited to see new homes go up… Hopefully soon!

Also, Eastbrook Homes will be at the Byron Township Board meeting on November 14th at 7pm to request a ‘major change’ to the PUD. Then they will be at the Byron Township Planning Commission meeting on November 21st at 7pm for ‘Final Site Development Plan’ for phase 1

In the October 2011 edition of the BConnection, Byron Center Public Schools is proposing an extension on the current school bond. In a time when federal and state school funding is diminishing, it is increasingly important to maintain local funding for our schools, according to the article.

What are your thoughts? Should this bond be extended or not? Leave your comments below.

The following excerpts was taken directly from the publication
Explanation of Byron Center Public Schools Bond Extension

• Transportation: The district has 38 buses that transport more than 2,500 children per day, traveling 1,800 miles per day. The district must prepare for the purchase of ten new buses over the next 5 years.
• Technology: The vast majority of the districts technology is 5-8 years old. An extension to the current bond would allow the district to replace core infrastructure equipment including aging phone systems and network equipment as well as enhancing our wireless access points. In addition, the district would replace and enhance current classroom technology and other devices pertinent to student learning.
• Buildings: Extension of the bond would provide for enhancements, remodeling, or additions to Byron Center High School, Brown & Marshall elementary and the Administration buildings (see images below)

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is driving the need for this Bond Issue now?
• The high school is nearing capacity and Brown Elementary is in need of major renovation and additions. Our elementary schools are approaching capacity. By moving our early childhood programs to th eold Nickels building, we will free up 12 elementary classrooms district wide.
• Technology upgrades and improvements are needed at all buildings. The last major technology purchase was a result of the 2001 bond issue.
• Also, we want to improve safety and security for students, parents and staff by providing control vestibules and security systems at all buildings
• How much planning has gone into this proposal?
• This process has taken place over the last year and more. Meetings have been held with staff and community members to discuss facility needs and a total of 3 community forums were held to discuss a variety of options.
• How would this Bond Issue affect the average Homeowner?
• The proposal does not increase the current annual school millage of 7 mills. The bonding is projected to extend the existing debt millage eight additional years.
• How will this impact property values?
• There is no guarantee, but in other communities, improved educational facilities have helped to increase property values, encourage development and provide a “stimulus” to the local economy.
• Is our school district projected to grow?
• Yes. According to enrollment projections provided by Stanfred Associates, we will see approximately 15.6% growth in our K-12 population over the next five years. We have grown from 3,042 students five years ago to 3,500 students this year and our five year projection is for 3,907 students.

Congratulations to CBH Building & Development on their recent move into their new space at 5780 Crossroads Commerce in Wyoming, MI! (Map)

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Increasing their space by over 5x’s, this 33,00sf building will provide plenty of space for their growing business. Located right around the corner from the new YMCA, Metro Hospital, and minutes from M6 & US 131, this location serves their needs perfectly.

CBH is a general contracting company specializing in commercial and residential construction. Take a look at Sierrafield Condominiums in Byron Center, or the Rainbow Child Care Center on the East Beltline in Grand Rapids for examples of their work!

A division of CBH, Construction Material Specialist (CMS) is a project based construction material supplier; supplying lumber, doors, flooring, counter tops, ect. Congratulations to the owners, employees, and crew at CBH!

If you or your business are considering buying, leasing, or building industrial, office, or retail space, contact Paul today!

At the September 20th Planning Commission meeting in Byron Center, a representative for the developer officially requested, and received, approval for phase 5 of the Planters Row sub division. This newest phase will include about 16 new lots; a small number compared to the sizes of the previous phases, but market conditions justify a more conservative approach.

As reported earlier, Planters Row is almost completely built out, there are only a few empty lots remaining.

If you are considering purchasing an existing home, or building a new home in Planters Row, or anywhere in Byron Center, Contact us today!

Click here for a list of homes currently for sale in Planters Row

At the September 12th Byron Township board meeting, the Township Board voted to APPROVE Eastbrooks request for a change to the PUD for Carlisle Crossings. This should clear the way for Eastbrook homes to begin constructing new single family residential homes and condos in this neighborhood.

If you would like more information on the homes Eastbrook is planning on building, or are considering buying or building in Byron Center, Contact your Byron Real Estate Expert today!

Click here for the Sept 19th Mlive.com article

In the September 20th Southwest Advance, an article by Sherry Kuyt celebrates the news that Lumbermen’s Inc. will be consolodating their operations in Byron Center. Their new, 198,000sf building at 8715 Byron Commerce Dr will house ‘operations now performed at four locations in Grand Rapids and Wyoming’.

Lumbermen’s is a 100% employee owned company that supplies numerous building and construction materials, many of which you would find in your house or office.

Byron Center welcome’s Lumbermen’s with open arms!

Wondering how large this building is? 198,000sf is over 4 football fields put together!

As previously discussed in the post Carlisle Crossings – Condo Development, Eastbrook Homes is proposing to purchase this distressed development. At the Byron Township Planning Commission meeting 8/15/11, Mick McGraw, President of Eastbrook Homes provided more details as to their proposed ‘major change to the PUD’.

Eastbrook is proposing to build around 88 single family homes on the southern half of the site, while maintaining 2, 3 and 4 unit condo buildings on the north half of the property.

Comments were made in favor of the proposed changes by the current residents of Carlisle Crossings.

Eastbrook Homes will now go in front of the Byron Township Board for their approval.

Carlisle Crossings neighbors Winchester Cemetery to the west, H.A. Irish Tree Removal and Spartan Stores Headquarters on the East. Kent Trails also has a path on the west property line that goes from 76th St to 84th St, passing through Douglas Walker Park.

Stay tuned for more details.

The former Monelli’s pizza on 84th St is now ‘Goodfellows Pizza’! They are located in the Byron Center Marketplace at 2185 84th St SW, Byron Center

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We welcome the new owners to the Byron Center area, and wish them many blessings as they continue in an already successful location. (If their pizza is half as good as Monelli’s, they’ll do great!!)

Looking for all of your pizza choices in Byron Center, check this out.

In the recent Byron Township newsletter (volume 20, issue 2), Joel Hondorp, our township clerk wrote an article about the 2010 census. A few quotes:

“Byron Township’s population grew over the last 10 years by 15.9%”
“Byron Township moved from the 103rd most populous municipality to the 95th.”
“The building of M-6 in the early part of the decade made the Townships in the south side of the county attractive to workers who commute to Grand Rapids or Kalamazoo for work.”

To read the full article, check out the entire newsletter here