With the horrible loss of Eastern and the way Sparrow went about it (neglecting the building beyond repair and constantly making up lies to get a cleared building site) it made me wonder. What buildings in the City of Lansing do others think should be designated as Historic Sites or Historic Landmarks? For reference, only one building is a historic landmark (last I knew) and that's the State Capitol. I think we've really got to work on being more proactive as a community on this.
This isn't just limited to schools, but Sexton (for so many reasons from new construction techniques, the late era for the style, the steel rationing, etc.) I think is one that should be on the list.
I'm curious what other buildings come to mind for people.
Sexton was the first one that came to my mind, today, watching all of this. Fortunately, I think all of the school buildings are zoned "Reuse Adpative" so that'd be at least one obstacles any new owners would have to jump over. Eastern should have been, but I'm sure Sparrow got them to change its rezoning during our change over to the Form Based Code.
I don't necessarily think we need historic landmark status for anything else. But definitely a local historic district would be good for Sexton. Another one I'm thinking of is the older section of the Eckert Station named "Moores Park Station." I'd definitely like to see that portion reused even if they build stuff around or ontop of it.
I think Sexton and portions of the Westside should be historic districts but that's quite a task. At the very least, Sexton should be a historic site. I don't worry as much since there aren't any eager buyers nextdoor, and the district appears to be investing in it. However, it's the whole proactive thing. I know 10-20 years ago there were many people actively working towards historic designation but I'm not sure where it landed. Sexton is such a unique example of a wartime, art deco school. I believe it was Architectural Record that referred to is as the most modern high school in the Midwest, or something similar. It was a significant school when it opened, not just locally. How often do schools get into Architectural Record around here these days?
I could see the old Eckert station being one. It's funny how you can still see the original plant under all of the additions. While I know many of us are nostalgic for the three towers, I think its unlikely those will remain and are really a more recent addition. I think embracing the original plant would be more feasible and likely. I'm thinking redevelopment and historical status. Thanks for this one...I hadn't really thought about it.
Chimneys are from 1981; there isn't much reason to save anything beyond the original building. But the original buildings is certainly in danger given that very few people in leadership of anything have any vision, anymore.
Completely agree. I would have to agree, also, that this would be in danger. I don't think many realize what was there before all the addiitons. While not some masterpiece, it's still interesting and significant for the area. There has been reuse of similar buildings.
I was thinking 80s for those towers, I thought mid 80s for some reason. Nothing really that significant historically. Just the skyline for many decades. I was talking to family that regularly commuted out of town/state for work, and they always hated flying back and seeing "those ugly towers" lol.
Yeah. I've lost faith in the city right now. We really need a revamp of the mayor and council. Seems like people have a habit of electing some real morons these days...don't have faith in the voters anymore either. I'm not going to make this political, anymore than that lol.
Ottawa Street Station/Accident Fund. That building is a gem. I am sure Accident Fund will honor it, considering their investment, but like you said- proactive.
I could see the "Bank of Lansing" building on N. Washington and Michigan as a good building to designate as historic. There are many artistic flourishes in the design. Also, the downtown Library is a beautiful example of the Mid-Century Modern design. I think any building designed by Darius Moon could be included. I went to Sexton, it is a beautiful school building, I wish they would put in windows like they used for the new Walter French Apartments.
I lived in Provincetown Mass for many years, there most of the town is an historic district with many buildings dating from the early 1800's. Any changes to a building in the district had to approved by the historic commission, they did approve many changes however the owners have to use historically correct martials for the exteriors. They could strip everything except the frame of the building for some others had to keep more of the original buildings. It is of course a hassle for new owners who want to tear down their little fisherman's house [which now cost over a million] and build a McMasion. These rules have mostly kept the look of the town intact. The town also marks the historic buildings with plaques detailing the history of that building. I wonder if this historic district idea could work for Lansing, it is difficult to imagine but it could be done.
Also, the three stacks which some people have a fondness for were built in the late '70s. I lived across the street from Moores Park School then and watched them go up. I never thought of them as anything other than smokestacks and was surprised when I moved back here to find that people really love seeing them and they are part of Lansing's identity.
I had started making a map highlighting historic buildings I think should be saved and put some more work into completing it when I saw this discussion. I (mostly) didn't include single family homes, only commercial and multi-family buildings. I also didn't differentiate between the importance of buildings, some are notable pieces of architecture in general, some are notable for the city, and some are important for the fabric of a particular neighborhood. In general it's a guide to (mostly) historic buildings that, in my opinion, should be saved if at all possible.
I'm sure I missed some stuff while including other things people may disagree with, but I think it's decent start:
Regarding single family homes I agree that portions of the West Side neighborhood could probably justify being some sort of historic district, as is the case for some portions of the Genessee neighborhood, and Moores River Drive area. I'm not attached to the Eckert smokestacks but I don't mind them being there. As a city resident and BWL customer I certainly am not interested in paying to demolish them if it's not necessary.
Wow, you really put some thought into that Mao, city wide! Definitely a lot I hadn't thought of on there. I think there are a decent amount of these that are already historic sites, but it would be interesting to go over a map of those with what you have. My only thought is that some of these might be a little heavy in the urban areas, in my opinion. That said, isn't Washinton Square area a historic district already or I'm I just making that up?
I think those neighborhoods all have areas that have significant/unique homes to justify historic districts. I know historic districts can be difficult for homeowners but with what some "flippers" have done to some of those houses, I feel there needs to be something. Look what someone thought was a good idea to do to a tudor revival that just needed some updating. Surprise, listed it for top dollar and couldn't sell it. Now it's an eyesore.
Comments
This isn't just limited to schools, but Sexton (for so many reasons from new construction techniques, the late era for the style, the steel rationing, etc.) I think is one that should be on the list.
I'm curious what other buildings come to mind for people.
I don't necessarily think we need historic landmark status for anything else. But definitely a local historic district would be good for Sexton. Another one I'm thinking of is the older section of the Eckert Station named "Moores Park Station." I'd definitely like to see that portion reused even if they build stuff around or ontop of it.
I could see the old Eckert station being one. It's funny how you can still see the original plant under all of the additions. While I know many of us are nostalgic for the three towers, I think its unlikely those will remain and are really a more recent addition. I think embracing the original plant would be more feasible and likely. I'm thinking redevelopment and historical status. Thanks for this one...I hadn't really thought about it.
I was thinking 80s for those towers, I thought mid 80s for some reason. Nothing really that significant historically. Just the skyline for many decades. I was talking to family that regularly commuted out of town/state for work, and they always hated flying back and seeing "those ugly towers" lol.
Yeah. I've lost faith in the city right now. We really need a revamp of the mayor and council. Seems like people have a habit of electing some real morons these days...don't have faith in the voters anymore either. I'm not going to make this political, anymore than that lol.
I lived in Provincetown Mass for many years, there most of the town is an historic district with many buildings dating from the early 1800's. Any changes to a building in the district had to approved by the historic commission, they did approve many changes however the owners have to use historically correct martials for the exteriors. They could strip everything except the frame of the building for some others had to keep more of the original buildings. It is of course a hassle for new owners who want to tear down their little fisherman's house [which now cost over a million] and build a McMasion. These rules have mostly kept the look of the town intact. The town also marks the historic buildings with plaques detailing the history of that building. I wonder if this historic district idea could work for Lansing, it is difficult to imagine but it could be done.
Also, the three stacks which some people have a fondness for were built in the late '70s. I lived across the street from Moores Park School then and watched them go up. I never thought of them as anything other than smokestacks and was surprised when I moved back here to find that people really love seeing them and they are part of Lansing's identity.
I'm sure I missed some stuff while including other things people may disagree with, but I think it's decent start:
https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=1tFrXqcFtebkTkKdbvvw7eicroVf9lMA&usp=sharing
Regarding single family homes I agree that portions of the West Side neighborhood could probably justify being some sort of historic district, as is the case for some portions of the Genessee neighborhood, and Moores River Drive area. I'm not attached to the Eckert smokestacks but I don't mind them being there. As a city resident and BWL customer I certainly am not interested in paying to demolish them if it's not necessary.
I think those neighborhoods all have areas that have significant/unique homes to justify historic districts. I know historic districts can be difficult for homeowners but with what some "flippers" have done to some of those houses, I feel there needs to be something. Look what someone thought was a good idea to do to a tudor revival that just needed some updating. Surprise, listed it for top dollar and couldn't sell it. Now it's an eyesore.