I would agree that a Grand Ave site, and the old Michigan Theater in particular, would be just about as good as the Lake Trust site. I vaguely remember in a previous article about the PAC them mentioning that several developers were interested in a venue like that, around the same time Gentilozzi was rumoured to be proposing something for the old Michigan Theater building. I'd bet what he was proposing involved a venue on the site of the old theater, if the old arcade were put back to retail and dining it could really make for a great venue.
It'll be interesting to see how this plays out, it's sounding like it may actually happen though.
Is this development group Urban Systems with a new name? I think they have some of the same drawings for proposed buildings on their web page. I am happy to hear about the Holmes School, there has been even more vandalism and broken windows there lately. It will be nice to drive by there on my backway to Fenner and see people living there.
What constitutes conservatives amongst the council? I'm extremely pro-development but I'd sorta like to be more selective with tax incentives, that's my most important city government issue. I'm also pro marijuana industry for whatever that's worth.
I was just reading about all the towns in the area that have banned MJ sales. Seems like the local officials are the ones who get to decide this issue even though in most places a majority of people voted to legalize. So all the folks from those towns are going to be coming here to spend their money and we will also be getting more of the tax money collected. Very sort sighted on their part, coupled with an old judgmental opinion on the use of marijuana. It will be interesting to see how they will react to not getting any of the benefits of legalization, and still, have their citizens dying from alcohol and tobacco-related causes, which they sell on every corner.
Sears in Frandor looks to be closing finally. I was actually quite surprised on how long it took for this one to close. I really hope that this gets redeveloped into something nice, as Frandor is hugely popular, and I could see mixed use development thriving where the Sears footprint is now. I can't imagine that slice of land going for cheap though!
Whoa! I am actually surprised about this. I've been there many times, and it was my understanding that the frandor location was one of sears' better performers. I read somewhere in this thread or others that Gillespie owns that land, so there could very well be another hi rise going up in that area.
It's too bad they really wrecked that store with the last renovation whenever that was. The whole place looks like it is in a basement from the inside. Retail is tough these days but this sort of unraveling of the real department stores is about real estate and corporate consolidation that is not interested in the retail business at all. It's not just online shopping. The popularity of Frandor tells me people still like to go to an actual store for some fo their shopping. I am hoping they don't just let the building sit there and decay like it is now. I will miss this piece of old Lansing.
I was downtown today and noticed the bar in the City Market building has vacated their space there and all of the City Market's "free" parking" spaces now have signs that say "M.P. Social parking only" all others towed. I thought that lot was city property. And what's with that name for a restaurant? IMO it's a little too "wanna be hip" and rather vague, MP what?
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It'll be interesting to see how this plays out, it's sounding like it may actually happen though.
https://www.wlns.com/news/local-news/sears-closing-51-locations-including-in-lansing/