The old dry cleaners property was bought by LHC, at the time of their meeting with my neighborhood organization last year they had no plans for the property yet.
I finally got out and took a few photos on Sunday... Here's a link to an album with a few more pictures: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCV53Y
Starting out with Ovation, not much to see but it's great to see real work beginning
And a mix of Riverview 220, Grand Vista Place, and new City Hall pics:
Front of Grand Vista Place (GVP), looking northeast From Grand & Hillsdale
Front of GVP, looking east/southeast from Grand Ave
Rear of GVP, looking southwest from Lenawee & Cherry
City Hall, looking northeast from Grand & Lenawee
City Hall, looking east/southeast from Grand
City Hall, looking north/northeast from Lenawee
Front of Riverview 220, looking northeast from Grand
Side view of Riverview 220, looking southeast from Kalamazoo & Grand
Rear view of Riverview 220, looking from Cherry & Kalamazoo
Onto some pictures of Tower on Grand:
Tower on Grand, views looking northeast from Washtenaw & Grand
Tower on Grand, looking northwest from the Kalamazoo St bridge
And out to MSU for a picture of the groundwork at the new engineering building and some near-completed pics of the Student Wellness Center (more pics at album link)...
Engineering and Digital Innovation Center, Looking south from Shaw
Views of Student Wellness Center's (SMC) main entrance, looking southwest
View of SMC's eastern facade along Birch, looking southwest
View of SMC's western facade where work is ongoing, the pool at the south end of the building is also still under construction, looking southeast along Harrison
Really not a fan of how Riverplace 220 and GVP turned out. They look so busy and so cheap. There's almost no rhyme or reason to any of their features, aside from putting lipstick on a pig. I can't even tell what the white and blue panels even are, as an architectural professional. All I can guess is cheap and a short life span. These buildings are low quality, even by Lansing standards.
City Hall I'd another disappointment. A suburban office building off the beaten path. Glad to see my tax dollars at work to fund another disappointment.
We knew these projects were going to suck but part of me had hoped they'd turn out better.
Let's hope the The Ovation actually happens and turns out well along with the new tower on Grand. I'm really losing faith in the development in this city.
All that pessimism aside, thanks for all the photo updates @hood! I drive by these all the time but never stop to take an up close look.
I cannot disagree, at this point I just have to hope for the best. Hopefully avoid another misstep with the CADL main building, although that looks nearly inevitable at this point.
I'm still torn on my overall feelings toward development here, there's just so much more going on than there's been in many decades and it's been a continual ramp up for 10-15 years now. If everything that's supposed to get started in the next year actually happens we'll be deep in uncharted territory for this city... But the Eastern demo, the Boji City Hall downgrade, and the police/fire/courts moving out of downtown all within a relatively short period of time still anger me. Problems with Downtown Lansing Inc are concerning, as is the city's ineptitude on display in the form of delays in the Ovation (and their general lack of long term vision). If missteps continue the positive momentum can evaporate.
Oh, please don't remind me of the CADL building...it would be a travesty for them to leave that building. People I've told who have moved away that grew up going to that library just can't believe they'd do what they've been talking about. That building deserves a proper upgrade, and as I always say, is conpletely doable. I'd be more likely to vote on a milage for that than relocating it to some horrible location.
I'm right there with you. There is so much development it seems, but maybe only half of it is anything decent. I think that's being generous too. Maybe 1/3 decent, 1/3 okay and 1/3 garbage. Not sure I'd call any of it great projects. MAYBE the tower, depending how that turns out. That one has surprised me. I'd have to agree with all of your other points. The city and Downtown Lansing Inc have made some really stupid moves, and the majority of residents are apparently too blind to vote out the people we can.
I'm still bitter about all the city services being moved out of downtown. As a "downtown adjacent" resident, I'd of course love downtown to have more going on. Over the 20 years I've been adjacent, downtown seems like it went from, I wouldn't call it a high point, but a better point, to pretty dismal. At least for what I enjoy, and I know that's different for everyone. We've only got a handful of good restaurants that are open for dinner, if even that, and the same goes for retail options. I keep hoping these newer big project will bring some better options downtown. As we get more people with expendable income living downtown, I'm hoping that will help keep the money downtown. The affordable housing projects aren't going to do it. The Meijer was a huge plus for my household...I will give them that one.
Sorry, always get carried away when talking downtown development. As I do, I'm reminded of just how much has happened downtown but also many of the problems.
I agree on most everything, but now I get the rare chance to be the positive(ish) one...
The only thing that might knock the tower down from 'great' status for me is the ramp covering Grand Ave. Simply having a 28 floor reasonably-good-construction-quality residential tower going up in Lansing is worth something more than 'decent' imo. Capitol Tower, even its squat 6 floor form may be a cut above what we've been used to, tbd on that. The old City Hall hotel, if it happens and despite the unfortunate circumstances that led to it, could be special, maybe even borderline great. Ovation could actually be viewed a lot more positively if we don't pretend it's a long term solution to our need for a proper performing arts center. The fact that we're seeing two (maybe three??) significant new construction projects in Old Town after 30 years of none says something, even if they're not spectacular. Sometimes things can be 'great/decent/ok' for their context: in a small long-stagnant city like Lansing, in the early stages of a potential long term turnaround, and with a modest existing downtown residential market that has virtually no condos or true luxury apartments and only two hotels (one of which is new).
The growth of Cooley I think was largely responsible for the relatively good bar/dinner scene that existed through the 2000's into the 2010's, their troubles hurt things a lot. Then came COVID. Adding residential is crucial to grow things but as long as the shopping district is a linear street (or two) instead of a grid of storefronts we'll always be hobbled, much smaller cities like Kalamazoo have a more lively downtown than us partly because of this effect.
If we don't trip over ourselves and can maintain even half the 2026-2028 pace of development on average for the next decade, Lansing could be in an almost unfathomably different position from 2024.
Fair comments and good points. I know we've discussed the covering on Grand and we're on different pages there. I see your side, all the same, but am not opposed to it in this instance. I will say, while the Double Tree isn't "new" the renovation and new owners have made a huge difference for visitors I've had when my guest rooms are already booked lol. Prices are better and finally some renovations. That said, we definitely could use more, along with some more premium housing. I think the City Hall renovation could be great if it happens. I also agree that the old town developments are indeed significant. Again, I love this site because we can discuss things that others may be forgetting. Thanks for bringing up those points.
Those are great points...and you're totally right. Cooley was a huge part of keeping downtown alive in the evenings. I remember several Cooley friends who loved to drink lol. As bad as of a school as Cooley appears these days, it is hard to not have them supporting downtown in the evenings.
I feel like we always say this, like in a few years it will be different. Fingers crossed that's true this time!
The "in a few years statement" got me thinking about the history of downtown development and the milestones I see as being significant, how there have been times when things have been fundamentally different over just a few years. To me the current trajectory began with the mid 90's remodel of the Lansing Center and the building of the ballpark which, I'm sure along with behind scenes policy changes, led to 10 or 15 years of small storefront renovations and loft additions along with a few new large office buildings. Then finally came Gillespie's original Stadium District building in 2007, the first building of its type in Lansing, afterwards came a fairly long list of proposals that arrived just in time for the 2008 recession. Then the following decade of only a handful of Gillespie new construction apartments, along with the several major empty properties getting reused: Oliver Towers, Knapp's, and the Ottawa Power Station(!!!). Now come more players to the market: the other Gillespie with a few Michigan Ave projects, major new stuff in Frandor, apartments at the Lake Trust site, 5-over-1's on the YMCA site and N Larch/Cedar. That takes us to today with all the aforementioned stuff.
Even I'd forgotten how far we've come in the past 20 years, the abandoned Knapps and power station, not even having the Gillespie apartments to rib at, mostly unrenovated storefronts on Washington and elsewhere, the gold mirror glass on Arbaugh's, the parking lot on the west side of Capitol lawn... A lot has happened.
I kinda ran through that timeline as much for myself as anything, did I miss anything major? Anyway, looking at the long slog it was to get to this point and all the work of so many people, that's why I get so angry about things I view as mistakes. That momentum took so long to build and I hate to see it squandered or taken for granted, there's still a long way to go.
fyi The new hotel I was referring to is the Courtyard.
I figured that was the hotel you mentioned, I went on a tangent. I've had visitors stay at both and they end up preferring the Double Tree. I can't believe the Radisson had such a long term deal to be the only hotel downtown. I look forward to additional hotels.
Yeah, it is easy to forget how much major development happened in the last 20-30 years. You did a good job outlining them. Buildings like Knapps and the Ottawa Power Station were no small feats. Your outlining just made me remember how many large, dilapidated, vacant buildings we had for so long. How easily I'd forgotten these huge vacant buildings lol.
Though, now we have the vacancy of most of Cooley including the Masonic Temple. Knapps also seems to really struggle to keep that first floor leased too. Hoping we get something in there since the Macotta Club is not linger moving forward.
Comments
Starting out with Ovation, not much to see but it's great to see real work beginning
And a mix of Riverview 220, Grand Vista Place, and new City Hall pics:
Front of Grand Vista Place (GVP), looking northeast From Grand & Hillsdale
Front of GVP, looking east/southeast from Grand Ave
Rear of GVP, looking southwest from Lenawee & Cherry
City Hall, looking northeast from Grand & Lenawee
City Hall, looking east/southeast from Grand
City Hall, looking north/northeast from Lenawee
Front of Riverview 220, looking northeast from Grand
Side view of Riverview 220, looking southeast from Kalamazoo & Grand
Rear view of Riverview 220, looking from Cherry & Kalamazoo
Onto some pictures of Tower on Grand:
Tower on Grand, views looking northeast from Washtenaw & Grand
Tower on Grand, looking northwest from the Kalamazoo St bridge
And out to MSU for a picture of the groundwork at the new engineering building and some near-completed pics of the Student Wellness Center (more pics at album link)...
Engineering and Digital Innovation Center, Looking south from Shaw
Views of Student Wellness Center's (SMC) main entrance, looking southwest
View of SMC's eastern facade along Birch, looking southwest
View of SMC's western facade where work is ongoing, the pool at the south end of the building is also still under construction, looking southeast along Harrison
City Hall I'd another disappointment. A suburban office building off the beaten path. Glad to see my tax dollars at work to fund another disappointment.
We knew these projects were going to suck but part of me had hoped they'd turn out better.
Let's hope the The Ovation actually happens and turns out well along with the new tower on Grand. I'm really losing faith in the development in this city.
All that pessimism aside, thanks for all the photo updates @hood! I drive by these all the time but never stop to take an up close look.
I'm still torn on my overall feelings toward development here, there's just so much more going on than there's been in many decades and it's been a continual ramp up for 10-15 years now. If everything that's supposed to get started in the next year actually happens we'll be deep in uncharted territory for this city... But the Eastern demo, the Boji City Hall downgrade, and the police/fire/courts moving out of downtown all within a relatively short period of time still anger me. Problems with Downtown Lansing Inc are concerning, as is the city's ineptitude on display in the form of delays in the Ovation (and their general lack of long term vision). If missteps continue the positive momentum can evaporate.
I'm right there with you. There is so much development it seems, but maybe only half of it is anything decent. I think that's being generous too. Maybe 1/3 decent, 1/3 okay and 1/3 garbage. Not sure I'd call any of it great projects. MAYBE the tower, depending how that turns out. That one has surprised me. I'd have to agree with all of your other points. The city and Downtown Lansing Inc have made some really stupid moves, and the majority of residents are apparently too blind to vote out the people we can.
I'm still bitter about all the city services being moved out of downtown. As a "downtown adjacent" resident, I'd of course love downtown to have more going on. Over the 20 years I've been adjacent, downtown seems like it went from, I wouldn't call it a high point, but a better point, to pretty dismal. At least for what I enjoy, and I know that's different for everyone. We've only got a handful of good restaurants that are open for dinner, if even that, and the same goes for retail options. I keep hoping these newer big project will bring some better options downtown. As we get more people with expendable income living downtown, I'm hoping that will help keep the money downtown. The affordable housing projects aren't going to do it. The Meijer was a huge plus for my household...I will give them that one.
Sorry, always get carried away when talking downtown development. As I do, I'm reminded of just how much has happened downtown but also many of the problems.
The only thing that might knock the tower down from 'great' status for me is the ramp covering Grand Ave. Simply having a 28 floor reasonably-good-construction-quality residential tower going up in Lansing is worth something more than 'decent' imo. Capitol Tower, even its squat 6 floor form may be a cut above what we've been used to, tbd on that. The old City Hall hotel, if it happens and despite the unfortunate circumstances that led to it, could be special, maybe even borderline great. Ovation could actually be viewed a lot more positively if we don't pretend it's a long term solution to our need for a proper performing arts center. The fact that we're seeing two (maybe three??) significant new construction projects in Old Town after 30 years of none says something, even if they're not spectacular. Sometimes things can be 'great/decent/ok' for their context: in a small long-stagnant city like Lansing, in the early stages of a potential long term turnaround, and with a modest existing downtown residential market that has virtually no condos or true luxury apartments and only two hotels (one of which is new).
The growth of Cooley I think was largely responsible for the relatively good bar/dinner scene that existed through the 2000's into the 2010's, their troubles hurt things a lot. Then came COVID. Adding residential is crucial to grow things but as long as the shopping district is a linear street (or two) instead of a grid of storefronts we'll always be hobbled, much smaller cities like Kalamazoo have a more lively downtown than us partly because of this effect.
If we don't trip over ourselves and can maintain even half the 2026-2028 pace of development on average for the next decade, Lansing could be in an almost unfathomably different position from 2024.
Those are great points...and you're totally right. Cooley was a huge part of keeping downtown alive in the evenings. I remember several Cooley friends who loved to drink lol. As bad as of a school as Cooley appears these days, it is hard to not have them supporting downtown in the evenings.
I feel like we always say this, like in a few years it will be different. Fingers crossed that's true this time!
Even I'd forgotten how far we've come in the past 20 years, the abandoned Knapps and power station, not even having the Gillespie apartments to rib at, mostly unrenovated storefronts on Washington and elsewhere, the gold mirror glass on Arbaugh's, the parking lot on the west side of Capitol lawn... A lot has happened.
I kinda ran through that timeline as much for myself as anything, did I miss anything major? Anyway, looking at the long slog it was to get to this point and all the work of so many people, that's why I get so angry about things I view as mistakes. That momentum took so long to build and I hate to see it squandered or taken for granted, there's still a long way to go.
fyi The new hotel I was referring to is the Courtyard.
Yeah, it is easy to forget how much major development happened in the last 20-30 years. You did a good job outlining them. Buildings like Knapps and the Ottawa Power Station were no small feats. Your outlining just made me remember how many large, dilapidated, vacant buildings we had for so long. How easily I'd forgotten these huge vacant buildings lol.
Though, now we have the vacancy of most of Cooley including the Masonic Temple. Knapps also seems to really struggle to keep that first floor leased too. Hoping we get something in there since the Macotta Club is not linger moving forward.