This is the floral store, I think Smith's Floral, that moved out recently. It's a pretty inconspicuous buildings (and 'modernized' like all of the rest) across from the Cooley library.
Emailed Bob, again, and he says that the big January announcement is pushed back to February. No surprise. Michigan development seems to run on its own time. lol
Like I said about other projects, I wish they would just start out with a conservative date, if it comes early, GREAT! Everyone can be pleasantly suprised, if it takes until the announced date or a little after, oh well, at least it doesn't go from an optomistic date to months of delays.
I see the approach you're taking, but often times, projects don't really go full steam ahead until about a week or two before the deadline. So putting off a deadline at the beginning can have the effect of simply putting off the last minute touches until that deadline approaches.
Derek Melot wrote a provactive column about the vacant Knapp Building, today. I must say, the only thing I agree with him on is that something needs to be done, outisde of that, stripping the facade or demolition are not an option, IMO. Lansing only has a few truly unique structures that you couldn't find anywhere else, and the Knapps is one of them. I say, since lofts aren't really an option, why not try relocating some museums to the building since they don't windows, necessarily?
Melot: Time to rise from Knapp
Striking downtown structure can't survive on its looks
Published January 23, 2007
Passing downtown Lansing's Knapp building the other day, a friend got all excited.
He saw a big sign touting "loft living" and thought it was a precursor to the historic, but long vacant, structure's rebirth as a home to Lansingites.
I was down on the South Pennsylvania business corridor (P.A. south of Jolly) the other day for the first time in a long time, and noticed just to the north at PA and Cavanaugh the Penway Manor rowhomes, again. They looked completed, at least from the outside, and looked very good for being an obviously cheap product. I'd like to see this type of infill in the newer parts of the city, except fronting the street.
The other thing that caught my eye is how rough the South Pennsylvania business corridor is becoming. And, by rough, I don't mean so much that it's looking phyiscally poor, but there are so many vacancies now. It'd be nice if the city gives this area some attention.
It appears that scaffolding has went up on the Michigan Electric Supply Company warehouse right in the heart of REO Town. This is the large, 3-story building right across from the Cadillac Club. I wonder what's going on, here? It would make an awesome loft/retail redevelopment, and it's the tallest thing on those two blocks.
Photo of the building in question I took a year or so ago:
Also, I noticed that one of the Turner Street buildings under renovation closest to the visitor center is getting a complete glass wall on the back of it. It looks really neat.
Local developer Tom Knoy, of Metro Development, wants to convert his apartments to condos, located near the Deluxe Inn. He is trying to create an NEZ (Neighborhood Enterprise Zone) through the city, and the proposed NEZ will encompass the Deluxe Inn too. He is planning on selling the condos for $100,000.
In the State of the City address tomorrow, Virg Bernero is planning on outlining two different proposals. He wants to demolish the Oliver Towers site, and build a single building which would house the Downtown Library and Impression 5 Childrens Museum. He also will speak on the performing arts center that may be located at Capitol and Kalamazoo in the Cooley Law Towne Center.
Comments
Melot: Time to rise from Knapp
Striking downtown structure can't survive on its looks
Published January 23, 2007
Passing downtown Lansing's Knapp building the other day, a friend got all excited.
He saw a big sign touting "loft living" and thought it was a precursor to the historic, but long vacant, structure's rebirth as a home to Lansingites.
Nope.
Link
January 23, 2007
By Jeremy W. Steele
Lansing State Journal
The state of Michigan will lease 24,900 square feet in a North Washington Square building, filling a space left vacant for more than three years.
Link
The other thing that caught my eye is how rough the South Pennsylvania business corridor is becoming. And, by rough, I don't mean so much that it's looking phyiscally poor, but there are so many vacancies now. It'd be nice if the city gives this area some attention.
Photo of the building in question I took a year or so ago:
Also, I noticed that one of the Turner Street buildings under renovation closest to the visitor center is getting a complete glass wall on the back of it. It looks really neat.
In the State of the City address tomorrow, Virg Bernero is planning on outlining two different proposals. He wants to demolish the Oliver Towers site, and build a single building which would house the Downtown Library and Impression 5 Childrens Museum. He also will speak on the performing arts center that may be located at Capitol and Kalamazoo in the Cooley Law Towne Center.
Here are links to the articles: Condos by the Deluxe Inn State of City address