Coca-Cola Demolishes Vacant Building in Grand Rapids Amid Truck Parking Needs

Coca-Cola's bottling plant in southwest Grand Rapids is planning to knock down a vacant office building on its site. The 7,100-square-foot structure has sat idle for years after efforts to lease or use it failed.

The company claims the building is structurally unsound, with visible cracks and bricks ready to fall off. A representative noted that adding truck parking space is necessary due to capacity issues at the site.

The Grand Rapids Planning Commission recently approved a special land-use request for the project in a 5-2 vote. Conditions include adding a 'substantial landscape feature' near Garfield Avenue SW and Butterworth Street SW.