Laew, yeah, I think that's the original concept for the site way-back-when. I'd forgotten about the driveway off Cedar. At the same time, when the project got started back up, though there was no new conceptualized site plan put out of the building along Cedar it was mentioned that there would only be one building on Cedar, so I've just been assuming it'd span where the driveway is.
Anyway, just wondering why they have it permanently blocked off.
I can see the idea now. It seems like a lot of buildings for that area. If it were to be built I think it would provide a density of people that would enliven the area and kind of connect the downtown residential areas to the north and south.
I often think when I drive by the Lansing Center on Cedar "where are they going to put a casino and a 2,700 space parking structure?" It would seem to be a very small area available for all of that. I think maybe this developer may be waiting for the final casino ruling before building on about the only place I could see such a large structure.
This is just a wild thought what if they built the casino in the airspace over 496 on S Washington, it would reconnect downtown and REOtown, there is the huge lot were the REOTOWN sign there is plenty of space for another hotel that would be outside the Raddison no hotel zone. At the Lansing Center use that land for enterance to an arena built on top of the Lansing Center. The old civic center was an arena above exhibition halls. and served the community in a different way than the Lansing Center does, for instance it is were all the high schools held their graduations, they had circuses and ice shows things that we don't see at the Lansing center or at Berslin. It was really a civic center.
I've thought about something being built over 496 at Washington Ave. I was imagining a parking ramp or a new convention center, but a casino would be very appropriate there also, assuming there'd be no additional legal issues there. It's not unprecedented to build over a freeway and 496 is perfect for it, I hope to see it happen in one form or another someday.
Just a quick corrections. The Breslin Center actually holds all kinds of community events including high school graduations. Area high schools use it all the time; I believe Howell and Haslett used it for their high school graduations. Ice shows are held at nearby Munn Arena. And, though not exactly built for these, the Lansing Center has held boxing, MMA and wrestling matches; every once in awhile they've held community dances/parties and dinners apart from their main convention/conference business.
As much as I'd love to see another civic center, I think it'd be really hard to build the community support from it given how much other venues (Breslin, Munn, Wharton) have filled in the gaps. Not that they'd have any kind of veto power what we do here in Lansing, but East Lansing would lose a lot of business from a downtown Lansing convention arena, and the region still isn't really big enough to support two convention/arena nodes quite honestly. If the casino ends up getting built, however, it'd make an argument to recenter the entertainment industry in the region on downtown Lansing an easier sell.
The Lansing Public Service Department has a few updates. The River Trail between Elm Street and Moores Park is back open. I imagine that they've simply stabilized the damage. A portion of the trail is closed beneath the Oakland Street bridge for repair. They are redoing the boardwalk in conjunction with Ingham County and it will take a month or two. I was kind of surprised to hear this, as it's been one of the better section of the trail. But I guess they don't want to wait until it gets bad when it'll probably cost more to replace, so good on them for being proactive.
I'm glad to hear that they quickly got that section of trail reopened, as I am about their proactive maintenance. As we were just discussing these are things I believe we should expect given the passage of the trail millage.
I'm not so sure that a Civic Center-ish replacement wouldn't work. I'd bet a 5,000-10,000 seat venue geared towards live performances, but accommodating sports like basketball, might do well here. I'm not sure it'd ever realistically be built though.
When it comes to public projects, I'd most like to see a new science and technology museum replacing Impression 5 and a new R E Olds museum. I know these types of projects could be financed by bonds, donations, millages or a combination of those, but I wonder how most cities finance similar projects? It seems like an impossible dream to see even a relatively modest $50 million museum or similar public building be built here, I wonder if it will ever happen.
It seems in a lot of cities, now, these new museums and expansions are able to find some wealthy benefactor to help fund most of the construction of these things. For whatever reason, this kind of philanthropic community doesn't exist on the same scale, even relative to other cities our sizes. Heck, even now-homely and rusty Flint has the Mott Foundation, which keeps things like the excellent Flint Cultural Center going. It's funny that the only guy to spend big here in recent years for a Museum (Broad) hasn't been in the community for decades. Dart and Demmer do a lot in the community, but it's mor blue collar/low-brow stuff.
I'm surprised that we don't even have a small local history museum. I've seen tiny cities with historical museums. We've got the state library, archives and historical center, but nothing detailing local history. What little local history stuff we have is literally in the basement of our downtown library. lol I'd also like to see a small art museum. The Broad is great for modern art, but I'd like to see something like the Kresge Museum at MSU started somewhere in Lansing with more traditional art. Like our entertainment scene, our arts scene is also really scattered and something to be desired.
As this a forum for talking about our own ideas as well as projects that actually being built I was just thinking about a better situation for Lansing Center. I really think that MSU would still do fine if we had a large arena. I mentioned high school graduations because it was the Lansing's Civic Center where Lansing High Schools had their ceremonies. I think we had a feeling of pride and ownership for the place. Does anyone feel that way about the Lansing Center? I think that are a lot of people in Lansing who never go to events at MSU or in East Lansing, that they might very well attend in downtown Lansing. I also doubt if MSU considers the effect on Lansing when building new buildings, if it did maybe they would have built their new medical school in Lansing not Grand Rapids.
Given the topic I felt like I should finally take the time to introduce myself. I have followed this blog for many years and just recently got a username because so many threads I’ve wanted to comment on, so finally I am!
I’m in my final year earning a Masters of Architecture degree and work at an architecture firm here in Lansing, which I love, so the development is near and dear to me. I was born and raised here in Lansing as well and chose to stay while family and friends left the state because I see a brighter future for Lansing, like many of you.
The most recent push to comment on the thread at this point was because I actually did a lot of research and planning for that particular site at the corner of Malcolm X and Washington in a Masters studio I had this past Spring. The possible connection over 496 was something I also thought would help between REOtown and Downtown but I didn’t address (something I wish I would’ve looked more at). The potential connection to the river and Rivertrail could also make it an asset and help connect the two areas. The way the site is now it’s very isolated from both downtown and REOtown which made it difficult to sell the Jurors on early on in my studio course.
The research alone suggested so many potential uses for the site between both REOtown and Downtown that I can’t believe it’s still setting vacant! Many of the ideas you all have mentioned for the site were supported by my research. I was actually getting ready to get a hold of CBRE and see what I could stir up. It just seems like such an underused eyesore that could be so much more.
Just always exciting to hear the new development going on and hear so many similar minded people!
Comments
Anyway, just wondering why they have it permanently blocked off.
I often think when I drive by the Lansing Center on Cedar "where are they going to put a casino and a 2,700 space parking structure?" It would seem to be a very small area available for all of that. I think maybe this developer may be waiting for the final casino ruling before building on about the only place I could see such a large structure.
This is just a wild thought what if they built the casino in the airspace over 496 on S Washington, it would reconnect downtown and REOtown, there is the huge lot were the REOTOWN sign there is plenty of space for another hotel that would be outside the Raddison no hotel zone. At the Lansing Center use that land for enterance to an arena built on top of the Lansing Center. The old civic center was an arena above exhibition halls. and served the community in a different way than the Lansing Center does, for instance it is were all the high schools held their graduations, they had circuses and ice shows things that we don't see at the Lansing center or at Berslin. It was really a civic center.
As much as I'd love to see another civic center, I think it'd be really hard to build the community support from it given how much other venues (Breslin, Munn, Wharton) have filled in the gaps. Not that they'd have any kind of veto power what we do here in Lansing, but East Lansing would lose a lot of business from a downtown Lansing convention arena, and the region still isn't really big enough to support two convention/arena nodes quite honestly. If the casino ends up getting built, however, it'd make an argument to recenter the entertainment industry in the region on downtown Lansing an easier sell.
I'm not so sure that a Civic Center-ish replacement wouldn't work. I'd bet a 5,000-10,000 seat venue geared towards live performances, but accommodating sports like basketball, might do well here. I'm not sure it'd ever realistically be built though.
When it comes to public projects, I'd most like to see a new science and technology museum replacing Impression 5 and a new R E Olds museum. I know these types of projects could be financed by bonds, donations, millages or a combination of those, but I wonder how most cities finance similar projects? It seems like an impossible dream to see even a relatively modest $50 million museum or similar public building be built here, I wonder if it will ever happen.
I'm surprised that we don't even have a small local history museum. I've seen tiny cities with historical museums. We've got the state library, archives and historical center, but nothing detailing local history. What little local history stuff we have is literally in the basement of our downtown library. lol I'd also like to see a small art museum. The Broad is great for modern art, but I'd like to see something like the Kresge Museum at MSU started somewhere in Lansing with more traditional art. Like our entertainment scene, our arts scene is also really scattered and something to be desired.
I’m in my final year earning a Masters of Architecture degree and work at an architecture firm here in Lansing, which I love, so the development is near and dear to me. I was born and raised here in Lansing as well and chose to stay while family and friends left the state because I see a brighter future for Lansing, like many of you.
The most recent push to comment on the thread at this point was because I actually did a lot of research and planning for that particular site at the corner of Malcolm X and Washington in a Masters studio I had this past Spring. The possible connection over 496 was something I also thought would help between REOtown and Downtown but I didn’t address (something I wish I would’ve looked more at). The potential connection to the river and Rivertrail could also make it an asset and help connect the two areas. The way the site is now it’s very isolated from both downtown and REOtown which made it difficult to sell the Jurors on early on in my studio course.
The research alone suggested so many potential uses for the site between both REOtown and Downtown that I can’t believe it’s still setting vacant! Many of the ideas you all have mentioned for the site were supported by my research. I was actually getting ready to get a hold of CBRE and see what I could stir up. It just seems like such an underused eyesore that could be so much more.
Just always exciting to hear the new development going on and hear so many similar minded people!