In April, DLI led a ‘State of Downtown’ workshop with local development agencies, property owners, local merchants, partner agencies such as Choose Lansing and the Lansing Regional Chamber, city department directors, residents, and other stakeholders at Impression 5 Science Center. We had a great group of attendees who actively provided input on the gaps our Downtown is facing, priorities they’d like to see downtown, and funding needs.
The goal of the workshop was to gather input and ensure that we are aligned, coordinated, and proactive in providing our Federal and State elected leaders with one comprehensive package of priority infrastructure and community investment projects in time for the next budget cycle and incoming state administration.
From this workshop, we heard loud and clear that Downtown Lansing is the priority for our city and region, with Washington Square and Michigan Ave. corridors being critical areas to prioritize. We also heard that for Downtown Lansing, as Michigan’s Downtown, to be strong and sustainable, the following are needed for added investment and vibrancy:
- Safety, infrastructure maintenance, and enhanced cleanliness in the downtown area are major barriers to growth. The aesthetics matter.
- Pride in property, i.e., additional investment and ongoing building maintenance, is needed from some of our property owners. How we present ourselves impacts perceptions. It’s hard to attract new businesses, retain businesses, and attract customers downtown if our properties are in disrepair.
- Interest in near-term regular activation strategies, such as food trucks, block parties, and more live music, that support extended business hours for downtown and businesses.
These priorities will not only guide the creation of a comprehensive ‘Michigan’s Downtown Rebuild’ package to present to state legislators for the next fiscal year - they will also help shape the services and programs provided to the downtown core by DLI. We look forward to providing updates on progress made throughout the remainder of this year.
Sincerely,
Cathleen Edgerly
Executive Director, Downtown Lansing Inc.
