Downtown Lansing Inc. promises new life in heart of city

LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) — Visitors to Downtown Lansing can expect more activities, more nightlife, and more places to live many years into the future.

That’s the message Thursday from Downtown Lansing, Inc. the organization that works with merchants and residents to re-energize the city’s core.

Kathleen Edgerly, executive director of DLI, joined business leaders, politicians, and the community Thursday night to present the “State of Downtown Lansing,” at the Atrium Building.

City officials tell 6 News Downtown Lansing is emerging from a rough patch. Among the obstacles the area has faced: are vacancies in the buildings downtown following the pandemic, businesses moving out of the area, and a lack of vibrant overall nightlife.

But, as the region settles into a post-pandemic routine, DLI and city officials have been working to re-ignite the core with those issues that were lost or declined during the pandemic.

Those plans have some in the community excited.

“It is really neat,” says Danielle Hastings, owner of Sylvia’s Sudsery. “It’s a great opportunity to be able to get to be able to get closer to the community and know people.”

Sylvia’s Sudsery will be a cosmetics and personal care shop opening in downtown in May.

She was able to open in part by connecting to a portion of $1.8 million in grants offered by DLI in the last year.

“So, that helped me be able to get equipment for my soapmaking,” she says of the grant money she received. “I’ve made 143 pounds of soap in three days in the past week.”

During Thursday’s event, DLI officials announced they’re driving to increase the funding to attract businesses and visitors back into downtown.

“They’re going to see more entertainment venues,” says Edgerly, the executive director of DLI. “They’re going to see vibrant wonderful community spaces, that people will feel they belong. That they are welcome.”

And this isn’t visionary talk either. The city and developers are already hard at work constructing the Ovation Center, a city-owned entertainment facility. They also tout the success of the “Middle Village,” — a micro market, and the successful launch of Grewal Hall a live music venue.

Lansing Mayor Andy Schor says he wants visitors not only to have a safe and enjoyable time downtown, but he wants them to consider moving to the area.

“Yes we have some office space, but you know what?” he says. “It’s turning into housing. Our downtown is coming back even stronger than it was before the pandemic.”

Achieving the goal of enticing people to move downtown and increase visitors takes cash. And DLI says it is going after at least $10 million in state funding to help in those efforts.

For Hastings, she’s eager to see the plan succeed — particularly by delivering new business neighbors and residents.

“I want to see it become a hub for people,” she says. “For downtown to grow, and for people to be able to give it a chance and be able to explore the wonders of downtown.”

City officials tell 6 News the downtown is already seeing a resurgence in nightlife activity including businesses staying open later and more events like the Capitol City Film Festival.

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