InGeniousPoet

I heard that many of the developers in that area (so I'm assuming Gillespe is included in this) are waiting to buy or officially sign on to anything until the City strikes an accord with the Lugnuts, guaranteeing them to be around for another 10-15 years so they can go ahead with the projects. Heard it on 89.7 a town meeting between Virg and Tony. Makes sense.

Hey whats that building on the corner of Michigan and Washington, across from the bank (Comerica?) with the michigan nickknacks for sale in it. What are they doing with the upper floors of that building? I noticed when i visited City Hall last week that they were renovating the inside of it. Its a beautiful building.

Yeah I just noticed that they have Grand Ave scheduled to be closed all next week to coincide with the development efforts. Good to see things are headed in the right direction over there. One more thing about the REO TOWN stuff, you gotta understand that I own a home here and I'm not passive in thinking that I should just enjoy Southtown because its diverse. They play the music I listen to(hip hop), their patrons are in my own image(black). But they do cause problems just like SW and Deluxe Inn, and if there is an establishment that is better suited to raise my property value I could care less who it is. I'm all for getting rid of bad apples if it makes me double my estate value (which already has gone up 20grand in 3 years) call it what you like but my home and neighborhood are investments that I want to protect. Its different than what happens in East Village bc that doesnt effect my investment. I see your points, it just doesnt really matter when it comes to my estate value. Also talked to the people at Impression5 and they are really set in trying to stay downtown, could that mean they are going to move over by Printers Row and Boarshead?

I agree with Speedwagon being a terrible place and Lord knows I rue the day they shut down the Delux Inn. Just wish I could get my hands on something incriminating like IRS no-no's! Hey this place has a ways to go, much like dowtown Lansing did there were nothing but hobos and porn shops where Oldsmobile Park now sits. Its a fact. Almost every part of town that has potential to grow has to oust drugs crime and poverty to get there. And with Southtown, lets face it , perception is reality. I really miss Ramons being there. Heck if any specialty dining moved there it would help. Right now Southtown doesnt produce anything the area really needs... much like Speedwagon and Delux Inn but on a lesser scale

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.

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.

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.

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!