Unfortunately I don't see UofM as caring about the city any more than MSU. They bought Sparrow and have so far not made any changes for the better. They've not followed through on any of Sparrow's previous capitol improvement plans yet while fighting hard to accelerate the demolition of Eastern to not do anything in a hurry.
The Macotta Club fiasco continues to be a bit of a sore spot for me. I want to know what happened, how much money was spent, who that money went to, where is the money going that was allotted for that project? I can't imagine Eyde just held that first floor vacant for the past few years with no compensation whatsoever. It's a large space though, dividing the space up doesn't look super easy given the mezzanine, a large club/bar or something would fit there but I don't know whether our area can justify it.
Yeah, UM has not impressed me one bit with their acquisition of Sparrow.
I'd really like to see all that information as well. Not just because I was excited for it, but I think there needs to be some accountability. They shouldn't just get to say "Oops, not going to happen after all."
I will say, during my time working at a developer, and my architectural background, tenant fit-outs for restaurants on multifloor building are nightmares on new builds. I can't even imagine trying to do it in a historic building. I'm not sure that project was ever a good plan for that space, as much as I wanted it to be. Given the turnover of those spaces, is it possible Eyde just hasn't been able to find a better tenant during that time period?
I have not been impressed with the U of M's coming to Lansing, it was just wishful thinking that they might be able to find a use for the old Cooley buildings. Is there still a Cooley Law School here?
I do love the Knapp's building, and I am trying to think what could go into that space. All the big restaurant plans were not really going to happen, I guess. I did actually take a look at the apartments there, they were large but odd layouts, with three quarter high walls in some of the bedrooms [loft-like] but no outside windows in the room. They did have great views were there are windows some outside windows looked out onto a wall. I think a large floor office and smaller retail spaces could work. I don't see a restaurant there unless the neighborhood becomes more populated with people after 5pm. Also, the outside streetscape needs a remodel, creating a pleasant atmosphere that people might like to take a stroll downtown to go to a restaurant or show or maybe just for a walk. Somehow the city needs to find a way to end the emptiness of the district, it feels kind of creepy to be the only person on the street except for homeless people soliciting for money. I saw that all city workers are coming back to in-person jobs. I guess there will be less of those people once the new center opens on S. Washington but any number of people coming back downtown will be good.
I saw that all city workers are coming back to in-person jobs. I guess there will be less of those people once the new center opens on S. Washington but any number of people coming back downtown will be good.
43 people. 43 people that will now have less money because they have to spend more on transportation and parking. They are not, and have never been, the answer.
@sabatoa, I've got to agree with you. As a mostly remote worker, I can tell you, many jobs can be done effectively and often more efficiently, and save the worker some money at the same time. You're going to have a happier employee all around. Plus, personally, I'd prefer to keep my money in Lansing instead of driving to GR and having to spend money there. Just my personal experience. Those 43 people aren't going to save downtown. It's the mayor trying to fill this new, stupid, City Hall.
Gosh, I don't want to disparage anyone who is a remote worker. I guess I have old fashion thoughts about people working together. I never thought that 43 people are going to save downtown. I do not like the new City Hall, it is not what Lansing deserves, but why even build a City Hall if no one is working in the building. I will get over it when I see the old City Hall redeveloped. If ten of those people come to your shop for lunch every day, ten more than would have been there before that just might "save" your business. You have to buy lunch even at home. I worked in the hospitality business which requires in person workers, I worked and made friends with people from all over the world, I taught young students how to cook and wait tables. I learned to speak French with the help of my friends from Quebec and France. I would not have met people from Kosovo, Albania, even Russia and maybe ten other countries sitting at home on my computer. I worked on a whale watching boat and a scallop boat, in person, it was hard work, but it paid really well, another job where I met lifelong friends. I am just trying to say in person work might just be worth the extra cost and time to be there with others. Maybe not, but I don't think remote workers are going to save downtown either. Thank you for the conversation.
Comments
The Macotta Club fiasco continues to be a bit of a sore spot for me. I want to know what happened, how much money was spent, who that money went to, where is the money going that was allotted for that project? I can't imagine Eyde just held that first floor vacant for the past few years with no compensation whatsoever. It's a large space though, dividing the space up doesn't look super easy given the mezzanine, a large club/bar or something would fit there but I don't know whether our area can justify it.
I'd really like to see all that information as well. Not just because I was excited for it, but I think there needs to be some accountability. They shouldn't just get to say "Oops, not going to happen after all."
I will say, during my time working at a developer, and my architectural background, tenant fit-outs for restaurants on multifloor building are nightmares on new builds. I can't even imagine trying to do it in a historic building. I'm not sure that project was ever a good plan for that space, as much as I wanted it to be. Given the turnover of those spaces, is it possible Eyde just hasn't been able to find a better tenant during that time period?
I do love the Knapp's building, and I am trying to think what could go into that space. All the big restaurant plans were not really going to happen, I guess. I did actually take a look at the apartments there, they were large but odd layouts, with three quarter high walls in some of the bedrooms [loft-like] but no outside windows in the room. They did have great views were there are windows some outside windows looked out onto a wall. I think a large floor office and smaller retail spaces could work. I don't see a restaurant there unless the neighborhood becomes more populated with people after 5pm. Also, the outside streetscape needs a remodel, creating a pleasant atmosphere that people might like to take a stroll downtown to go to a restaurant or show or maybe just for a walk. Somehow the city needs to find a way to end the emptiness of the district, it feels kind of creepy to be the only person on the street except for homeless people soliciting for money. I saw that all city workers are coming back to in-person jobs. I guess there will be less of those people once the new center opens on S. Washington but any number of people coming back downtown will be good.
43 people. 43 people that will now have less money because they have to spend more on transportation and parking. They are not, and have never been, the answer.