Fall Colors and Development - 10/23/2005 - Part I

[RustTown]

*Repost from Skyscraperpage (that explains the beginning commentary, lol)*

First, let us make the check list:

1. Bad weather? Check

2. Severe dearth of pedestrian activity on a Sunday? Check

3. Repeat subject matter? Check

4. Boring commentary on a boring city? Check

5. Familiar lack of East Lansing photos? Check

6. A fair amount of self deprecation? Check

Let us proceed. You may, just may, find something impression, worthwhile, or worth learning that may help you distinguish this place from Anywhere, U.S.A.

The start of Printer's Row, a Smart, Green, decent-quality, 17-unit condominium development on Cherry Hill downtown. The historic Kerr Houses is still under renovation to update the office space. Just to the right, and out of picture is the busy I-496.

A random view of the Michigan Capitol at the terminus of Townsed Street, and dull side street that cuts through the south downtown area.

Seymour Street is the northern equivalent of Townsend Street, and starts immediately north of the capitol square. It directly connects downtown and Oldtown. Here is some fall color midway through the connection.

The Redhead Design Studio and Media Graphic Incorporated put this mural up on Friday and Saturday in the heart of eclectic Old Town with the help of the community. I think it looks like a 5th grade art project, but the creator calls is "art." She said that since Old Town has fewer trees than most other commercial areas in the city she'd "paint some." lol

Off to northeast downtown, here is the emerging Prudden area which also includes the northern headquarters of the Lansing Police Department. Work is finally moving ahead on the facade of the factory (which will houses over 180 lofts), and the first phase of the newly constructed apartments is nearly done (100+ luxury apartments). The apartments are actually starting look nice, despite a few blank walls on one of the designs.

Looking northwest

Building I

Factory looking northeast from rail overpass.

Building II - including unattractive blank wall on each of its sides.

Small alley between Building I and II

Building III - simply a recreation of Building I

They are painting the factory to visually tie it with the apartment project, which is totally separate of the factory project.

Wait for the cars to go by...

The photos were taken from historic and hilly Oak Park. At the foot of this photo use to stand a pond. Needless to say it was filled in.

Unfortunately, the hill at the very western edge of the park isn't high enough to get a good skyline view. And even better still, the Volunteers of America mid-rise shack blocks the view.

The park is surrounded by a poor, residential neighborhood on two sides. Only two commercial buildings lie along the park, both belonging to Neogen, an up-and-coming bio-tech company that also owns two other historic wharehouses off the park.

Neogen Building I

Neogen Building II

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Go to Part II

[ZachariahDaMan]

Nice pictures, thanks for posting them.