At the Downtown Neighborhood Associatin meeting yesterday LCC's VP of Public Relations talked about their being work done to replace the surface lot at Shiawasee and Capitol (I think) with a new Science and Technology building for their expanding programs...I can't remember clearly (I should have taken notes but didn't) but I think he said that's high on the priority list for State Government capitol spending this year.
Also, Bob Tresizde (spelled wrong I know but I'm too lazy right now to look it up) talked about alot amomg which he mentioned that the Ottawa project is their highest project priority right now after Accident Fund. He also spoke about the Capitol Club and he said something along the lines that he honestly expected it to get put on hold because of economy/credit market and to his surprise Elliot is adament that they break ground this spring (I think he said April). He also said the $120k for market studies for the performance center is officially on hold because of the economy (the mayor's office thinks it would be a bad signal for them to be sending right now...worrying about a performance center when the economy is so bad and so many people are out of jobs). However, he said as opposed to 10 years ago, the Wharton Center has done a 180 on it's attitude about a downtown performing arts center. He said 10 years ago they viewed it as a competitor and now they see a ~1,900 seat center and a 400 seat theater in the city center project as a trifector of places that could work harmoneously. Bob said they see a downtown center as a "Wharton Center West." He mentioned the possibility of the Lansing Symphony Orchestrated playing more at a downtown center to give it a better schedule so Wharton wouldn't have to squeeze it in between Broadway shows.
It was a really good meeting and I'm dissapointed with myself and sorry to you guys that I didn't go with a pen and paper in hand to take notes...there was information I can't recall the details for that would be worth posting. I would encourage others to attend next year (speakers included LCC's VP of Public Affairs, Brian Jeffreys, Bob Tresize, Mindy Biladeau (PSD), and a couple others I can't think of off the top of my head...and they all took questions)
As much as I came off as a "sky is falling" kind of person with the City Market, I'm not too worried about projects being put on hold right now. As long as the Accident Fund and new City Market are built, I think we're doing very well. With the economy as it is right now (LA has higher unemployment than Lansing), no projects are going to be moving forward. Most development projects in Manhattan are cancelled, the Chicago Spire which construction already began on is officially on hold for now...so honestly, if the Ottawa project happens at all right now it is truly a testament to how well Lansing is doing and how well it will emerge when the recession clears.
So even if Capitol Club ends up being put on hold, which right now I expect it to not as a result of Lansing's dire condition but as a result of the national/global dire condition, I expect it will come back on line shortly after the credit market stabilizes.
One more thing, I think I said it before, but there's a part of me that almost wants the Capitol Club to be put on hold...when the markets stabilize, if this project hasn't broken ground already, I think it would go back up to 18-20 floors. I would almost rather wait another year or so and get a 20 story tower than a 12 story one this year.
I disagree given the times. Some may die, but others will get done. I think Capitol Club and Gillespie's projects will move forward with time, I also think either the Lenawee will be built, or another similar sized office building will. Kalamazoo Gateway is completely up in the air it seems, but judging from that list of stimulus projects the city has several more unannounced projects, and who knows how those will fair.
Wow that's great news! I guess this means he is moving ahead to try and get some potential tenants lined up. If Ballpark North is dependent on Marketplace, then he must be pretty sure Marketplace will be starting construction soon.
On this upcoming city council agenda, someone filed to transfer a liquor license from Okemos to the old Byblos building on Washington, the company's name is API East of Eden, they are also applying for a dance permit. I think it's great the bar district is filling in, hopefully the synergy continues.
Yeah, that's great to hear...I think a big step will be made when Troppos moves across the street and Tavern moves to the current Troppo location. I'm very hopeful that that will connect the Michigan Ave. and Wash Sq. entertainment districts...right now that "elbow" is dead and makes it less walkable from the 200block Wash Sq. bars to the Stadium District bars. The move will hopefully draw people further up Wash Sq., making the area more "alive" further up the street, and with people walking between the bars on WashSq., I think having bars on the WS/MA intersection will spill over to have people walking between that intersection down to the Stadium District. Hopefully this will make the first synergy between Stadium District and Washington Sq.
Hopefully we can also get some ground floor retail/entertainment on N Washington also. All-in-all I'm pretty happy with the bar & resturaunt development downtown.
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Also, Bob Tresizde (spelled wrong I know but I'm too lazy right now to look it up) talked about alot amomg which he mentioned that the Ottawa project is their highest project priority right now after Accident Fund. He also spoke about the Capitol Club and he said something along the lines that he honestly expected it to get put on hold because of economy/credit market and to his surprise Elliot is adament that they break ground this spring (I think he said April). He also said the $120k for market studies for the performance center is officially on hold because of the economy (the mayor's office thinks it would be a bad signal for them to be sending right now...worrying about a performance center when the economy is so bad and so many people are out of jobs). However, he said as opposed to 10 years ago, the Wharton Center has done a 180 on it's attitude about a downtown performing arts center. He said 10 years ago they viewed it as a competitor and now they see a ~1,900 seat center and a 400 seat theater in the city center project as a trifector of places that could work harmoneously. Bob said they see a downtown center as a "Wharton Center West." He mentioned the possibility of the Lansing Symphony Orchestrated playing more at a downtown center to give it a better schedule so Wharton wouldn't have to squeeze it in between Broadway shows.
It was a really good meeting and I'm dissapointed with myself and sorry to you guys that I didn't go with a pen and paper in hand to take notes...there was information I can't recall the details for that would be worth posting. I would encourage others to attend next year (speakers included LCC's VP of Public Affairs, Brian Jeffreys, Bob Tresize, Mindy Biladeau (PSD), and a couple others I can't think of off the top of my head...and they all took questions)
So even if Capitol Club ends up being put on hold, which right now I expect it to not as a result of Lansing's dire condition but as a result of the national/global dire condition, I expect it will come back on line shortly after the credit market stabilizes.
Also, I heard from someone with the state that the new chillers downtown will be 60' tall. That building looks almost as large as Stadium District.