Viewpoint: Lansing's time is now because plans for growth are taking root
By Mayor Andy Schor
Published in the Lansing State Journal; December 18, 2024
People often ask me why I say that “Lansing’s time is now” so often. It’s because I am so optimistic for Lansing’s future and everything we are working on to make our city grow. We have a record amount of investment happening in our city right now: over a billion dollars in new housing, job growth, infrastructure, and city services projects are being put to work here.
We’ve seen tremendous support from the Biden-Harris Administration’s Investing In America agenda, from Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s administration and our state legislature, and from private companies.
Coming out of the pandemic, nobody could have predicted where we are today. Lansing, like so many cities, was hit hard by the pandemic and its lingering effects. But, thanks to the partnerships and relationships my administration and I have built, we are moving ahead into a more vibrant future. Our landscape will look different in two years as we make progress on so many of the incredible initiatives now underway
Just a few of the projects being worked on include:
New City Hall: As spring weather starts to hit, we will see ground broken and this new building start to rise. I have long advocated for a modern home to city government with a one-stop customer service center for residents. We received a $40 million appropriation from the state of Michigan to make this finally happen and better connect residents with their government.
Current City Hall: City Council passed my plan to sell and redevelop the current City Hall, and the new owners will transform the mid-century modern structure into a hotel and dining complex. Work will begin once City and court facilities fully move out in the coming years.
Ovation Center for Music & Arts: The new Ovation Center will take shape on South Washington Square early next year. Between the Ovation and the now-open Grewal Hall, nights and weekends in downtown Lansing will be invigorated for decades to come.
Public Safety & District Court Complex: Lansing voters passed a millage in 2022 to support this state-of-the-art facility that will be home to the Lansing Police Department, Fire Department Administration, District Court, and a new fire training complex. We are also rebuilding and remodeling several fire stations across the City.
New Vision Lansing: This massive $317 million investment will include 575 new units of housing, bringing hundreds of new residents to Downtown and Old Town.
Capital Area Transit Authority (CATA) Headquarters: Our public transportation system is buying and renovating a building in downtown Lansing and will move their administrative offices there, near the new City Hall.
The Macotta Club: This will be an exciting restaurant and food incubator hall located downtown, and we anticipate it to be open for diners later in 2025.
Verlinden Plant Site: A $19 million clean-up of the former auto factory site will begin soon and ready the land for future development.
Walter French Development: This historic former school in the heart of our city is being redeveloped into housing by the Capital Area Housing Partnership. Opening in 2025, this will be a fantastic addition to this area and provide much-needed housing and support services to the community.
Infrastructure: Thanks to funding from the Biden-Harris Administration’s Investing in America agenda, we will be installing up to 50 EV charging stations in the area, plant hundreds of trees to increase our canopy cover, and completely rebuild a bridge over the Red Cedar River near REO Town.
And that’s just a few of the things we have going on right now. We will continue to promote housing options for all and work to make Lansing equitable for every resident. It’s not always easy work, but my team and I are committed to it.
Going into 2025, I remain hopeful that our state, federal, and philanthropic partners will see this significant progress and continue to support our efforts. Job creation and new or refurbished housing remain at the top of people’s minds across the country and on my mind right here in the Capital City.
This is why I believe that Lansing’s time is now. We face challenges head on and move forward with a vision and plans for our future. Together, we’re building a thriving city in which businesses create jobs, residents of all incomes can live in new or rehabilitated housing, and people enjoy living, raising a family, and retiring.
https://www.lansingstatejournal.com/story/opinion/contributors/viewpoints/2024/12/18/viewpoint-lansing-mayor-andy-schor-city-future-time-is-now/76821136007/