Very minor comment, but I had wondered if the East Lansing "downtown ambassadors" program was just dead, as the original intent was to launch it in time for Welcome Weekend, and it clearly did not.
But it is back on the DDA agenda for tomorrow, so apparently not dead. Looks like discussion of three proposals is planned, with the intention to recommend one of them.
1. Enter into a contract with Block and Block to run an ambassadors program. OR,
2. Work with city police and public works departments to develop an official, city-run ambassadors program instead. OR,
3. Just use DDA funds to provide additional money to (it seems) police and public works departments so their staff can do more of their traditional work downtown.
The housing policy change in EL is a welcome change, if not for their actions regarding the proposed building on Albert near Bogue I'd have a little more faith in the new policy having a positive effect on development. Time will tell.
@david_shane What is an ambassadors program in this context??
Additional cleaning staff! That would be great! It has been so gross out there this summer with several occasions of finding human waste, urine and vomit around my building, more cleaning staff is something that would really help the image of downtown East Lansing. Downtown Lansing has less foot traffic of course but always seems cleaner that EL.
Comments
But it is back on the DDA agenda for tomorrow, so apparently not dead. Looks like discussion of three proposals is planned, with the intention to recommend one of them.
1. Enter into a contract with Block and Block to run an ambassadors program. OR,
2. Work with city police and public works departments to develop an official, city-run ambassadors program instead. OR,
3. Just use DDA funds to provide additional money to (it seems) police and public works departments so their staff can do more of their traditional work downtown.
Cost now estimated at $275,000 per year.
Guess we shall see what happens.
@david_shane What is an ambassadors program in this context??
50%: Private security patrol
25%: Additional cleaning staff
25%: "Welcome to downtown East Lansing! Can I help you find anything?"
But we'll see what happens.