RIP: Grand Rapids Bicycle Factory

A historic building being rehabbed into apartments located very near
downtown Grand Rapids (Mich) burned down tonight.

The Grand Rapids Cycle Co. was established in 1895 and sold product
under its own marque. Here's a vintage advert I collected last year:
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y138/veloise/ads0636.jpg

The Urban Planet site includes an extensive discussion of the old
building, its Brownfield and rehab efforts, the innovate land swap
that would provide it sith sufficient parking, photos, and more:
http://www.urbanplanet.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=23224

And it now includes screen shots from a TV station webcam showing the
fire.

--Karen D.