Aerial Update: Grand Rapids Acrisure Amphitheater Construction Progress
GRAND RAPIDS, MI — June 2025
Thumb Drone LLC recently captured a series of high-resolution aerial photos and a 360° panorama of the Acrisure Amphitheater, a landmark entertainment venue under active construction along Market Avenue SW and the Grand River in downtown Grand Rapids. The photos were taken during a inactive window, offering a detailed look at site progress without interrupting operations.
About the Project
The Acrisure Amphitheater is a key component of a $184 million redevelopment plan that aims to reshape Grand Rapids’ riverfront. The completed venue will feature:
Seating for up to 12,000 attendees
A state-of-the-art outdoor stage and event space
Integration with new public plazas, walkways, and riverside park amenities
A vital connection to the city’s Grand River Restoration Project
Construction Progress (June 2025)
Our drone photos, captured using the DJI Matrice 4 Enterprise, show major progress across the site, including:
Stage Framing & Roof Structure:
The amphitheater’s distinctive steel canopy is fully in place, with interior stage space partially enclosed. This is one of the project’s defining architectural elements, now visible from the air.Heavy Equipment on Site:
Excavators, wheel loaders, compactors, and rough terrain forklifts (notably from CAT, JCB, and SkyTrak) are actively working on backfilling, grading, and materials staging. Machinery is concentrated on stage-front development and utility infrastructure installation.Seating Bowl & Retaining Structures:
Curved retaining walls and formwork appear to outline future seating areas and access pathways, signaling progress toward amphitheater terracing and spectator flow planning.Perimeter & Access:
Surrounding infrastructure—road access, walkways, and adjacent staging areas—are beginning to take shape. Utility lines and concrete support structures suggest integration with broader site utilities and performance systems.
Aerial Documentation for Construction Projects
Thumb Drone LLC provides professional, FAA-certified and insured aerial media services for construction, development, and engineering teams across Michigan.
Our services include:
High-resolution aerial photography
360° panoramas for Google Maps and internal use
Orthomosaic mapping and site modeling
Progress tracking and stakeholder documentation
📩 Contact us at sales@thumbdrone.com to schedule your site or request a proposal.
Honoring the Fallen: Memorial Day 2025 at Great Lakes National Cemetery
On Memorial Day 2025, the sun set over Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly, Michigan, casting a warm glow across the rows of white headstones. The peaceful scene was a powerful reminder of the lives given in service to our country and the enduring legacy of those who served.
Established in 2005, Great Lakes National Cemetery covers more than 770 acres and is one of only two national cemeteries in Michigan operated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Located among forests and wetlands, the cemetery serves as the final resting place for over 50,000 veterans and eligible family members, offering a dignified place of remembrance surrounded by natural beauty.
Memorial Day invites us to pause and reflect on the cost of freedom. Each headstone represents a life of service, a story of courage, and a sacrifice made on behalf of a grateful nation. As the sun dipped below the horizon, the quiet landscape stood in solemn tribute to these heroes.
To those who served, to those who sacrificed, and to the families who carry their legacy forward: we remember you.
📍 Great Lakes National Cemetery
📸 Captured by Thumb Drone LLC
📅 Memorial Day, May 26, 2025
“Our debt to the heroic men and valiant women in the service of our country can never be repaid. They have earned our undying gratitude.” – Harry S. Truman
A New Chapter in Genesee County Infrastructure: Aerial Views of the $45M Sewer Expansion
A transformative infrastructure project is now underway in Genesee County, Michigan, with long-term implications for growth, development, and environmental resilience. The $45 million Kearsley Creek Interceptor (KCI) sewer expansion—approved by the Genesee County Drain Commissioner’s Office and supported by Davison Township, Rowe Professional Services Company, Fessler & Bowman, Inc., and MDOT—is one of the region’s most ambitious sewer infrastructure investments in decades.
The project includes new lift stations, force mains, gravity sewers, and other improvements designed to increase capacity and allow for continued residential and commercial development in one of the area’s fastest-growing corridors. It’s a complex and highly coordinated effort that involves federal, state, and local agencies, along with engineering and construction professionals across multiple disciplines.
A Unique Perspective from the Air
I recently had the opportunity to document a portion of this important work from above using the DJI Matrice 4 Enterprise—Thumb Drone LLC’s newest drone designed specifically for mapping and industrial-grade data collection.
Flying over roughly 25 acres of the construction zone, I captured a detailed orthomosaic map and several high-resolution aerial photographs that offer a clear view of the project's early progress. These visuals provide a helpful public-facing update on the scale and momentum of the work taking place—something you don’t typically get to see unless you’re on-site or involved directly.
Who’s Involved
This initiative represents a true collaboration of public and private partners, including:
Genesee County Drain Commissioner’s Office – Overseeing the project and coordinating public investment.
Davison Township Board and Officials – Supporting planning, approvals, and land access.
Rowe Professional Services Company – Providing engineering and design services.
Fessler & Bowman, Inc. – Managing construction and on-the-ground execution.
Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) – Supporting infrastructure coordination and regional planning.
Federal and State Funding Partners – Contributing to the $45 million investment through grants and public infrastructure programs.
Why It Matters
This expansion of the KCI sewer line is essential for meeting future demand, reducing environmental risk, and laying the groundwork for sustained growth in Genesee County. For developers, local businesses, and homeowners alike, this infrastructure is foundational—and its successful implementation will benefit the entire region for decades to come.
As a local drone services provider based in Davison, I’m always keeping a close eye on the work shaping our communities. Projects like this are an important reminder of how much coordination and investment goes into building and maintaining the systems we rely on every day.
Partner With Thumb Drone
From site planning to progress updates and final marketing visuals, aerial data has become an essential tool for modern construction and infrastructure development. Thumb Drone LLC provides:
Whether you’re a municipality, engineering firm, or general contractor, I’d be happy to show you how drone imagery can bring added value, efficiency, and clarity to your next project.
If you're part of a local project and interested in capturing visuals like these for internal use, public updates, or stakeholder communication, feel free to reach out.
Follow along on Instagram, Facebook, and ThumbDrone.com for more aerial insights and behind-the-scenes looks at Michigan’s evolving infrastructure.
Thumb Drone LLC Enhances Aerial Capabilities with DJI Matrice 4 Enterprise
New to the Fleet: DJI Matrice 4 Enterprise
High-Resolution Mapping | Long-Range Zoom | Advanced Aerial Inspections
Davison, Michigan – May 23, 2025 — Thumb Drone LLC, a Michigan-based leader in professional aerial photography, videography, and mapping, proudly announces the addition of the DJI Matrice 4 Enterprise (M4E) to its drone fleet. This advanced, enterprise-grade aircraft significantly expands Thumb Drone’s capabilities in precision mapping, inspections, and long-range data collection.
The DJI Matrice 4 Enterprise is equipped with a sophisticated multi-sensor camera system, including:
Wide-Angle Camera: 4/3-inch CMOS sensor with 20MP effective pixels, f/2.8–f/11 aperture, and a mechanical shutter, ideal for high-speed aerial surveying and mapping.
Medium Telephoto Camera: 1/1.3-inch CMOS sensor with 12MP/48MP effective pixels, f/2.8 aperture, and a 70mm equivalent focal length, suitable for medium-range inspection.
Telephoto Camera: 1/1.5-inch CMOS sensor with 12MP/48MP effective pixels, f/2.8 aperture, and a 168mm equivalent focal length, enabling detailed inspections from up to 250 meters away.
Laser Range Finder: Measurement range up to 1800 meters, facilitating precise distance measurements.
Additional features of the M4E include:
Maximum Flight Time: Up to 49 minutes under ideal conditions.
Maximum Horizontal Speed: 21 m/s (approximately 47 mph).
Enhanced Safety Features: Anti-GNSS interference and low-light obstacle avoidance, ensuring reliable operation in challenging environments.
“With the addition of the Matrice 4 Enterprise, we can now serve clients with even greater accuracy and professionalism—whether it’s high-resolution orthomosaic mapping, infrastructure documentation, or topographical assessments,” said Jason Stomps, founder of Thumb Drone LLC. “This drone is a game-changer for large agricultural fields, construction sites, and municipal projects.”
The M4E complements Thumb Drone’s existing fleet—which includes the DJI Air 3S, Mini 4 Pro, DJI Avata 2, and DJI Neo—offering a range of solutions from cinematic real estate fly-throughs to advanced data collection missions. It also positions Thumb Drone to take on larger-scale commercial and industrial projects throughout Michigan and the Midwest.
Thumb Drone will begin offering premium services powered by the M4E immediately, including:
Agricultural field mapping (JPEG and GeoTIFF outputs)
Construction progress and inspection documentation
3D model creation and elevation visualization
Infrastructure visual inspections (water towers, roofs, solar arrays, etc.)
About Thumb Drone LLC
Founded in Davison, Michigan, Thumb Drone LLC provides FAA Part 107 certified aerial services across Michigan and beyond. With over 8 years of drone operations experience, a diverse fleet, and a passion for creative and technical excellence, Thumb Drone offers drone solutions for real estate, construction, agriculture, municipalities, and events.
To learn more or to request a quote, visit: www.thumbdrone.com
Cass City is marketing their community way of life
“Thumb Drone will also be recording key happenings…
The drone captured the Pink-tober event that celebrates breast cancer awareness, and Halloween when all of the merchants along Main Street pass out candy or some other items which draws hundreds of area children.”
The village of Cass City has always had a strong marketing presence with its "come for a visit - stay for a lifetime" promotion.
Village Manager Debbie Powell and the council are in the process of taking that effort to a new level. They hired Kim Rivera, of New Moon Visions, LLC to develop a logo along with a tagline to continue branding the community not only to visit, but also as a place to live, work, raise a family and come to retire.
To go along with that, the council approved having the village's lawyer look everything over and to research the proposed tagline if it was used anywhere else and if it is registered.
As part of the self-promotion, Thumb Drone will be recording aerial views and recording of the village of what it has to offer. Cass City has a hospital and a wide variety of medical specialists, a swimming pool, an extensive walking trail, a golf course, and a school.
Thumb Drone will also be recording key happenings. The drone captured the Pink-tober event that celebrates breast cancer awareness, and Halloween when all of the merchants along Main Street pass out candy or some other items which draws hundreds of area children.
The drone company will also be video recording the annual Christmas in the Village on Dec. 7th, which celebrates the holiday along with a lighted parade that heralds the arrival of Santa and the season.
H/T: Thumb Area Headlines
Written By: Mary Drier/Mike Kaufman