501 replies to this topic

[Lmichigan]

But the thing is it WILL be renovated.  This isn't just some passing fad, the developer has already recieved, I believe, the OPRA tax exemption.

[hood]

Just because it gets rennovated doesen't mean it will be occupied, at least in the way origionally intended. He could also decide to not go through with the project, I highly doubt it will happen, but it could.

[hood]

There is a new strip mall going up at Edgewood and Washington, I had thought they had pulled back from building it, but they apperently just don't need any special zoning for it. See the site plan:

[Lmichigan]

Man, this was supposed to be a quality development, and all it is a Dollar General, a party store, and what will most likely be some check chasing place.  Blah.

BTW, it's already under construction.  They were clearing the site the other day.  It was originally supposed to be a center that attracted higher quality businesses, but I guessed they scrapped that idea.  But, when you realize the demographic of the neighborhood, and just how really poor the area is around there, it makes since.  

I'm just sick of seeing dollar stores and party stores all over the city.

[hood]

The area isn't too poor, Traditions and Edgewood Villas are lower income, but Georgtown is decent, the Arbors of Georgetown are easily middle class, and the houses around here generally sell for $100,000-$130,000, most of which are owner-occupied. This is yet another area that has received an undeserved bad name, it's far from the best but better than many think. This development is about right for the area though, there should be something a bit nicer in that "avalible" section to even out the building.

[InGeniousPoet]

Hi guys. I stumbled upon this a while ago and commend your research on the downtown Lansing areas. Although I do believe that you have one area very misconstrued. REO TOWN: In addition of the underused Cadillac Club; currently the old Bozzo building is awaiting city approval to be transferred into the possession of the Dalmations Diner and Grill that is quickly becoming one of Lansings most popular breakfast/lunch spots. There are a few top secret plans for the Old Train Station and the parking lot grounds next to it, that would drastically change the perception of REO TOWN. Also its rumored that the Michigan Electric building has been purchased by the same person owns Pinball Petes in EL. With the lofts being built above the new home of an expanding Architecture firm, Lofts going above the old Danzos hardware, and companies like Van Huettens and Pinball Petes trying to make sure they get into the picture, I think that as long as downtown flourishs, REO TOWN has what it takes to draw a substantial, if somewhat different consumer base. Just thought I could inform you all because you seem to be up on all the other happenings in the city! I think its great!

[Lmichigan]

Welcome!  You seem to have your finger on the pulse of the city.  Post more if you have more "top secrete" stuff to share.  

[statedude3]

I'm dying to hear what any possible plans are for the train station and the surrounding site.  I've loved that building since I was a little kid.  I grew up on Barnes Ave. until I was 13(just a couple blocks away), and I used to actually ride my bike down there just to see the train station.

[Lmichigan]

That parking lot down there is HUGE.  I can't wait to see what takes it's place.  The train station, like Clara's, would make a perfect destination restaurant, or even a museum.  The land around it would make for a great retail district.  There is enough empty space to add both shops at street level, and a parking area behind it all to continue the streetscape along Washington Avenue and South Street.

[hood]

I would like to see that train station be turned into a resturaunt, but not a museum. The R E Olds museum was considering a move to there along with an addition to it. To me thats a bad decision, Lansing's museums should be kept in the immediate downtown area. A new museum district would be nice, but I don't know of any locations that would work, except maybe by the State Historical Museum.

[Lmichigan]

Yes, you've shared that with us before, Hood.  

BTW, everyone should read this great article of my neighborhood:

http://hub.lsj.com/a...210310/1104/HUB

[hood]

InGeniousPoet, on Sep 20 2005, 11:00 PM, said:

Hi guys. I stumbled upon this a while ago and commend your research on the downtown Lansing areas. Although I do believe that you have one area very misconstrued. REO TOWN: In addition of the underused Cadillac Club; currently the old Bozzo building is awaiting city approval to be transferred into the possession of the Dalmations Diner and Grill that is quickly becoming one of Lansings most popular breakfast/lunch spots. There are a few top secret plans for the Old Train Station and the parking lot grounds next to it, that would drastically change the perception of REO TOWN. Also its rumored that the Michigan Electric building has been purchased by the same person owns Pinball Petes in EL. With the lofts being built above the new home of an expanding Architecture firm, Lofts going above the old Danzos hardware, and companies like Van Huettens and Pinball Petes trying to make sure they get into the picture, I think that as long as downtown flourishs, REO TOWN has what it takes to draw a substantial, if somewhat different consumer base. Just thought I could inform you all because you seem to be up on all the other happenings in the city! I think its great!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I had initially missed this post so I'll comment on it now.

First lets  just make it clear that me and Lmich dont think the same way about REO town, he thinks much more highly of it than I do. What is Dalmations Diner & Grill, I've never heard of this and would like to hear more. When it comes to the train station there have been many plans over the years, including the one involving the failed Station resturaunt. According to the city assessors sight the Michigan Electric Building still belongs to Michigan Electric, but that site does run about 1 or 2 months behind on property transfers. And I have neder heard of anything about Van houtens moving to REO Town, that would probably be a good move, but they may want to secure their outdoor merchandise a little better around there.

Also, who are you, I'm assuming you are a member the REO Town board or whatever it is? If so, keep us filled on with whats going on there, and good luck on proving me wrong.

[InGeniousPoet]

Well, about Dalmations. Right now its next to the Cadillac Club offering great breakfast/lunch with meat supplied by Popoff. It is very busy with police officers and city workers, judges, BWL guys, GM and so on. Problem is that the regular customers had begun by passing it bc of parking and not enough room inside. So the owner is moving across the street to the Old gas station/Bozzos. She'll have a large diner area and a coffe house which my wife will be running. Currently the city has "misplaced" paperwork needed to grant a space behind the building for expansion, so thats all they're waiting on for it to happen. In its wake Evergrill Grill will handle catering options. The Old Train Station is slated to be the new museum district with R.E.O Olds and another larger childrens museum. That other party has hit a snag because they dont want to move there if Southtown club is active (bc of numerous age violations) so we are trying to rectify that. I dont work for the Reo Town association bc currently I work nights, but I am very much committed to helping the area flourish anyway I can. Yeah that Pinball Petes was just a rumor that hopefully comes true. If we can resolve Southtown and attract other businesses, in 5 years this may be a rival of Old Town. Currently they are shooting for a Country Festival for next year, kinda like the Jazz and Blues fests. Hope thats enough info for ya! I'll be looking for more from you guys, on other areas as well.

[Lmichigan]

Interesting.  BTW, the new historic street lights look great!  They are starting to pop up all over the city.  In fact, the Old Town association has gotten money to put some in their area.

The City Pulse has been an awesome newspaper in terms of getting the lowdown on the small business community in Lansing.  I heard about the proposed move of the museums months ago.  Impressions 5 is a great childrens museum, and would be even better with more space.

Who was the other party that got snagged?

As for Southtown, I really think that people give them too much credit for how they affect the area.  I think it would be a bad move to try and force them out.  There has to be some kind of compromise.

[statedude3]

I see a positive future for REOtown, I hope it all pans out.  I was disappointed to see Danzo's Hardware store close down, Jim was a good friend of mine, and a truly great person to talk to.  His store had the feeling of a true hardware store- not one of those big corporate places.  Anyway, was there a restaurant in the ond train station at one time?  I swear that one of my oldest memories was eating brunch there after church one day and gawking as a train went rolling by (I know what your thinking, and I'm positive this is not a memory of Clara's).

[Lmichigan]

Yes, for a short time their was a restaurant in the train station down on South Washington.  You're not crazy.  Actually, I remember it always being crowded.  I guess as our population fell, so did their customer base.  I can definitely tell you that it wasn't from a lack of parking.  lol

[statedude3]

do any renderings exist from any proposed developments of the site from the past or currently?

[InGeniousPoet]

statedude3, on Sep 22 2005, 11:16 AM, said:

do any renderings exist from any proposed developments of the site from the past or currently?

Havent seen any renderings. Van Huetens was outbid for the space below the almost finished lofts on S Washington by an Architecture firm, so hopefully they decide that they can use the square footage in Danzos. Heres the thing about Southtown. They bring way too much of a police presence to the area. Last year there was a roit of over 200 people in the street, and they have numerous liquor violations too. Now the city is afraid to close them down because of what happened to them in the LA Globe incident on the southside of Lansing. (They lost and had to pay based on racial profiling.) Now I agree that the city was in the wrong with the LA Globe thing, but Southtown is just as bad-if not worse. Anyways, the old train station used to be a restraunt for many years with live jazz. Then it was rented to a company with a liquor license that for a while only threw frat/sorority parties and made decent money. I worked with an entertainment company that then did regular bar nights on thursdays for college students but alas when the tenants lease was up, the owner of the building decided to sell it to GM to use as a parking lot. The city interjected and said that they couldnt because it was a historical building, so it sits empty now.

[Lmichigan]

Is Van Huetens really looking hard at moving to REO Town?  That would be awesome.  They are a great place.  I was really sad to hear that their current South Cedar Street store was completely wrecked the other night.  I hope they find the perps and prosecute them to the full extent of the law.  They do so much for the community by offering fresh foods.

Actually, I think it would be great to see them take up the corner of the giant parking lot near the train station.  There they could have a indoor store, and room to display the rest of their produce and such outside.

[InGeniousPoet]

Lmichigan, on Sep 22 2005, 01:45 PM, said:

Is Van Huetens really looking hard at moving to REO Town?  That would be awesome.  They are a great place.

Actually, I think it would be great to see them take up the corner of the giant parking lot near the train station.  There they could have a indoor store, and room to display the rest of their produce and such outside.

I dont know how seriously they are looking. I think they that they are serious but I dont know. I hadnt heard about what happened to their store, and sadly I hope it increases their interest in moving into Reo Town. I think being near several different neighborhoods, and by Popoff Meat and a few restraunts could boost their revenue more than that odd spot they are in now.

Anyone know of any plans for the Knapp Building? I was in Louisville, KY and their downtown had a mall called the 'Galleria'. The place was on a corner and was beautiful. All windows. I would love to see something like that to extend the lifeline of downtown past 5pm. Have it open till 9 and then the bars can pick up the traffic after that. Just an idea.