Some minor/major renovations happening at First National Bank of America. I say minor because it looks like they won't change the appearance of the building all that much. I say major because construction has already been going on for months.
It's interesting because the bank used to fly "Don't Tread on Me" flags, and the front had a nice fountain with a large plaque with an extended Bible quote on it. Neither is especially controversial but I do wonder if they aren't in part seeking a more business/professional (by 2016 standards) appearance.
A bank flew the "Don't tread on Me" flags out front!? Wow! I really have missed some "fun" times around here. A Patriotic symbol taken over by the anti-American know nothing Tea Party flown outside a major building is very controversial, and would inhibit business for anyone located there. I glad I missed it.
Not to get sidetracked, but I've wondered how the "Don't Tread on Me" flag ever became controversial. It's a symbol of the most important time in our country's history and represents a pretty good philosophy. If anything I think it would be worth flying the flag just help eliminate the negative stigma around it, it should be a nice fit for anyone who values their freedom and civil liberties.
It became controversial because it is used by people who have controversial beliefs. History has shown once a statement/logo/flag becomes associated with a controversial group it becomes stuck to that group, and most likely isn't worth trying to give it a new life again.
MSU Federal Credit Union is going to spend $500k to open an intern center on Grand River, between Curious Book Store and the Tin Can Bar (previously Stateside Deli). The location will house about 20 interns.
This center, along with the Jackson National Life intern center and the Douglas J corporate offices on this same block, is increasing the amount of downtown workers. It's far too late for MSUFCU to move their headquarters to downtown East Lansing, although that definitely should have happened and was a big miss by the City of East Lansing to not get them there at the time.
Ideally we would see the following East Lansing businesses headquartered in downtown East Lansing: MSUFCU, Biggby, First National Bank, Greenstone Credit Union, Douglas J, and Mayberry Homes. There's also the MEA, MESSA, and some other government/union offices located near Saginaw and Abbot that if moved to downtown could really help the business environment and diversity of downtown.
As someone who lives in a nice neighborhood just about a mile from downtown - golly. At one point someone in the neighborhood pointed out that the city's master plan suggested four story buildings near the Harrison/Michigan intersection (hardly a crazy idea for that area), and people in the neigborhood complained that they might block their view of the sunrise! Yes, that was the complaint. And they contacted the city manager to express their displeasure. I do not get people who live in a city near a major university, and object to all the sorts of development and activity that would so naturally go with living in that location.
But hey, if Lansing and Bath Township and adjacent areas want to get all that development and make EL look bad, go for it.
One of my "back to the future" experiences since returning after 30 years has been how East Lansing feels dirty and unpleasant downtown. There is a tool for scraping chewing gum off from pavement. The sidewalks are dirty broken and covered with black chewing gum patches. The back ally ways which use to be kind of nice, look neglected. There is a great wall of parking structures that loom over Albert Street, and I don't get the giant fireplace. Do people gather there? I hate to say it but I tried Beggar's three times and each time not so great.
I know from looking at real estate around Lansing, a house in East Lansing adds around $30,000+ to the price vs.a similar house in Lansing, so it is perhaps understandable to want to protect that value. It seems like that desire for protection has lead to obstruction of progress, which seems to have lead to neglect of the town center. That is very short sighted.
Comments
http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/story/news/local/2016/02/04/msufcu-invests-500k-downtown-el-intern-center/79754864/
This center, along with the Jackson National Life intern center and the Douglas J corporate offices on this same block, is increasing the amount of downtown workers. It's far too late for MSUFCU to move their headquarters to downtown East Lansing, although that definitely should have happened and was a big miss by the City of East Lansing to not get them there at the time.
Ideally we would see the following East Lansing businesses headquartered in downtown East Lansing: MSUFCU, Biggby, First National Bank, Greenstone Credit Union, Douglas J, and Mayberry Homes. There's also the MEA, MESSA, and some other government/union offices located near Saginaw and Abbot that if moved to downtown could really help the business environment and diversity of downtown.
But hey, if Lansing and Bath Township and adjacent areas want to get all that development and make EL look bad, go for it.
I know from looking at real estate around Lansing, a house in East Lansing adds around $30,000+ to the price vs.a similar house in Lansing, so it is perhaps understandable to want to protect that value. It seems like that desire for protection has lead to obstruction of progress, which seems to have lead to neglect of the town center. That is very short sighted.