Page 24 - LRCC September FOCUS 2023

TRANSFORMING DOWNTOWN LANSING

New housing is filling up almost as fast as developers can build units. City View
Apartments on the site of the former Lake Trust Credit Union building downtown
is one of the latest to open. Photo by Kelsey Teribery

After several decades of discussion, the downtown area live music and performances, art and cultures, it’s what
will soon be home to two performing arts venues. A can make our downtown more exciting for visitors and
groundbreaking ceremony was recently held for the residents alike,” said Mayor Schor. “It also brings in more
Ovation Music and Arts Center which will be a large-scale people on nights and weekends and will create more
performing and arts venue where residents and visitors demand for dining and bars and so many other amenities
alike can enjoy and create art. The building at the corner that a vibrant downtown needs.”
of South Washington Square and West Lenawee Street
will house a variety of performances, from concerts for F STATE FUNDING BRINGS AN EARLY CHRISTMAS GIFT
national acts to independent films to networking events — TO DOWNTOWN
and so much more. MSU Federal Credit Union is investing
$1 million in the project which will be named MSU Ovation. The Greater Lansing region secured a major victory in the
recently approved state budget as lawmakers approved
“Creating vibrant communities where funding for critical infrastructure and community
our members and employees work revitalization projects supported by more than a dozen
and live is vital to our mission at local organizations including the Lansing Regional
MSUFCU,” said April Clobes, CEO, Chamber of Commerce. Several of those projects directly
MSUFCU. “I am thrilled to have a impact downtown Lansing, including: $40 million helping
venue where national acts and locals fund construction of a new Lansing city hall; $5 million
can enjoy and create art in our own for renovations at the Lansing Center; $1.7 towards the
backyard." downtown riverfront; and $1 million for ongoing state
support for downtown.
Also entering the entertainment Clobes
scene downtown is Grewal Hall 224 “We are elated to have received funding for these projects
located at 224 S. Washington Square. The venue features that combined are truly game-changers for the Lansing
two floors of entertainment space with a second-floor area,” said Daman. “We owe a debt of gratitude to our
mezzanine that overlooks the open-concept main floor. local lawmakers in the Capitol Caucus who once again
The lower level includes hospitality spaces for clients to worked in a bipartisan fashion to fight for and win
utilize in conjunction with their events. With a standing approval for their critical infrastructure projects.”
room capacity of 900 and over 6,000 square feet, Grewal
Hall at 224 can entertain parties of up to 225 in formal State funds have also helped clear the way for a major
banquet seating and 400 in a theater arrangement. upgrade of Michigan Avenue between Pennsylvania
Avenue and Clippert Street which is expected to begin
“MSU Ovation and Grewal Hall will both be incredible in late 2023 and continue through 2024.The project will
additions to our downtown. More vibrancy through include road reconstruction and reconfiguration, sidewalk

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