Wasn't sure where to place it, but thought I'd put it here since it's in the development area. Oldsmobile Park is FINALLY getting a new name: Cooley Law School Stadium. A member of Cooley's Board of Directors, James Butler, felt that this would be "very good for attraction of new students." I think that might be a stretch, as the Park is hardly known outside the Lansing area, but hopefully this deal brings some cash and (possibly) renovations.
Interesting news out of Grand Rapids today on their efforts to build an urban market downtown.
GRAND RAPIDS -- A dilapidated produce distribution center at the southern end of downtown could become a hub of commerce for local farmers, food makers and artisans as part of a $27 million urban market concept unveiled Wednesday.
Grand Action, the private group that led efforts to build the Van Andel Arena and DeVos Place, said it would forge ahead with plans to develop an urban market offering space for vendors to create and sell a variety of foods and other goods.
The market also is envisioned as an educational facility with a greenhouse, demonstration kitchen and meeting rooms that will help people better understand local food systems while teaching about healthier eating.
I know, seeing projects like that in a city as similar as Grand Rapids makes me want to give up on Lansing. We really need to get our act together if we're ever going to be competitive.
Let's remember that Grand Rapids has a few billionaires to push these kinds of things along and be able to finance bigger, bolder things all at once. It's also a bigger city with a downtown that's further ahead in the redevelopment process. It's not an apples-to-apples comparison between the two cities, although there certainly are lessons to learn. For instance, Lansing was right to plan an incubator kitchen into the market - now we just have to find a way to pay to put it in.
Our market is the same general concept as what GR wants to do - we're just going to have to do in stages what GR probably will be able to do all at once thanks to folks with last names like Meijer, Van Andel, DeVos, Secchia and others. And, you know, when you add in the Market Place development in Lansing, that's another $24-$30 million to add into the overall project. And the half-million proposed ice rink. And the $3.5M in riverwalk improvements in that stretch (on both sides of the river).
Also important to remember, the Lansing City Market project is built, the GR City Market project is a proposal. So even if there is something to be discouraged by in this, I'd wait till it actually is built before having a reaction. The Lansing proposal had an incubator kitchen, so if you're going to compare them, compare the propoals, don't assume the final products will be the same in both cases as the final product.
Also also, I don't think the GR market is going to have as great of a location as the Lansing Market. I lived in GR for 4 years, and I don't think the market is going to be as integral to the downtown and walkable. South of downtown gets Shady even as you get to St. Mary's hospital. I think most people will be driving to that market. Even for folks who do walk, it's not going to have the same effect as the Riverwalk has with the Lansing market.
I understand that philanthropists are responsible for most of Grand Rapids' success. That doesn't make Lansing any better though, I just find it very disappointing that none of Lansing's wealthier residents (past or present) have done anything to help this city. Larry Page is only the most recent and richest of Lansing residents to do nothing for us, its sad.
I agree with all your points except the one about the stadium, I look at Olds Park as the one thing we've done right, I don't think it could be any better given our city's size. The Lansing Center is an embarrassment, and a simple expansion won't change that. City Hall is falling apart, our parks are numerous but mediocre, we lack an art museum, or a performing arts center. Other 'attractions' such as Impression 5 and RE Olds are dilapidated and undersized and in some sense are just nasty. I don't say these things to be a downer, I say them because I'm disappointed. Lansing has so much potential it's not even funny, yet no real progress is being made. I can only hope that this recent round of renewal will allow for bigger and better things.
Hopefully Gillespie follows through with the plans to begin construction on Market Place by the end of the year. I guess if we see them paving over the site for a parking lot we have something to be worried about.
Comments
The city is applying for a grant to build a year-round outdoor skating rink near the City Market. This would be another great addition to that area.
Let's remember that Grand Rapids has a few billionaires to push these kinds of things along and be able to finance bigger, bolder things all at once. It's also a bigger city with a downtown that's further ahead in the redevelopment process. It's not an apples-to-apples comparison between the two cities, although there certainly are lessons to learn. For instance, Lansing was right to plan an incubator kitchen into the market - now we just have to find a way to pay to put it in.
Our market is the same general concept as what GR wants to do - we're just going to have to do in stages what GR probably will be able to do all at once thanks to folks with last names like Meijer, Van Andel, DeVos, Secchia and others. And, you know, when you add in the Market Place development in Lansing, that's another $24-$30 million to add into the overall project. And the half-million proposed ice rink. And the $3.5M in riverwalk improvements in that stretch (on both sides of the river).
Also also, I don't think the GR market is going to have as great of a location as the Lansing Market. I lived in GR for 4 years, and I don't think the market is going to be as integral to the downtown and walkable. South of downtown gets Shady even as you get to St. Mary's hospital. I think most people will be driving to that market. Even for folks who do walk, it's not going to have the same effect as the Riverwalk has with the Lansing market.