Collaboration Across Community Sectors
When it comes to building a stronger, more active and resilient downtown community, collaboration is critical. Recently, I had the opportunity to visit communities across Ireland, as well as fellow capital city and college town - Madison, Wisconsin. Across each city center, one common theme stood out: thriving downtowns do not happen by accident. They are the result of long-term investment, shared vision, strong partnerships, and a willingness to collaborate across sectors.
These visits also reinforced the important role downtowns have played throughout history — and continue to play today — as dense and livable economic, cultural, and civic hearts of a community where collaboration is critical to creating sustainable long-term change.
As a place management and economic development organization, relationship-building, policy advocacy and collaborative problem-solving are central to our work. Whether discussing downtown design, much-needed public space and infrastructure improvements, ambassador programs, business support, or parking management, meaningful progress rarely happens through one department or organization alone. And while collaboration does not always mean agreement, it does require a shared commitment to bringing action to our values by improving the experience people have in our city center.
That commitment is reflected in the recent parking changes approved by Lansing City Council after years of advocacy from Downtown Lansing Inc. on behalf of our downtown businesses, residents, and community stakeholders. Parking is often considered the dreaded “P-word” in downtown management, yet it plays an important role in how welcoming and accessible a downtown feels.
Beginning later this month, the City of Lansing will implement several customer-friendly improvements, including:
- Shortened enforcement hours from 9 a.m.–5 p.m. instead of 8 a.m.–6 p.m.
- 15 minutes of free parking for visitors using parking kiosks
- The ability for guests to extend their on-street parking sessions, allowing more time to enjoy dining, shopping, entertainment, and riverfront experiences downtown
While these may seem like small operational changes, they represent something larger: a willingness to listen across organizations, evolve, and work together to support a healthier and more welcoming neighborhood.
We are continuing to see that meaningful transformation and momentum build across Downtown Lansing each day— through growing public and private investment, new businesses and residential development, expanded arts and cultural attractions, a new way to look at and engage with public spaces, as well as renewed energy surrounding our riverfront and city center experience.
We know lasting change takes time. But meaningful progress happens when communities continue to show up for each other, working together and investing in a shared vision for the future. We are proud to help lead that work alongside our many partners in Michigan’s Downtown.
Sincerely,
Cathleen Edgerly
Executive Director, Downtown Lansing Inc.
