Grand Rapids
The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum reopened in June after a remodel and expansion. The newly renovated space has new exhibits, including more info about his wife, Betty Ford, and an education center.
Greater Lansing
Greater Lansing welcomed three properties in 2015, including the 125-room Hyatt Place Lansing/Eastwood Towne Center (www.lansingeastwood.place.hyatt.com), as well as Fairfield Inn & Suites and Residence Inn properties.
Kalamazoo
In 2015, the Kalamazoo Nature Center, which accommodates corporate retreats and can host groups on-site, was gifted 22 acres of neighboring land plus a matching grant for future development.
Battle Creek
FireKeepers Casino Hotel Battle Creek announced in June that it will eliminate the on-site Dacey’s Sports Bar and add an all-new restaurant and brewpub named Dacey’s Taphouse. The taphouse will feature a 140-seat contemporary restaurant/bar area, a 50-seat mezzanine overlooking the casino floor, 50 television screens and 50 beers on tap, among other features. At press time, construction was set to begin earlier this month and the project was scheduled for completion by mid-December.
Holland
The brand-new 140-room Courtyard Holland Downtown, located just steps away from over 100 unique shops, galleries and eateries, opened in March with one small event room.
CityVu Events, a rooftop events space, opened this past spring atop the CityFlats Hotel. The space includes a conference room and boardroom and can accommodates meetings, meal functions, receptions and other events overlooking downtown Holland and the historic DeZwaan Windmill.