Lansing · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Lansing public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Renaming E. Cesar E. Chavez Avenue
The committee continues its quarterly review of the street renaming, including a resident survey of affected parties and a budget priority to reimburse street name change costs.
South Lansing Roadmap and Neighborhoods of Focus redevelopment
The LEDC board was scheduled to receive presentations on targeted redevelopment work in South Lansing, including the South Lansing Roadmap and the Neighborhoods of Focus initiative. These efforts shape which neighborhoods see new investment and development opportunities.
Brownfield Plan #87 (New Vision) agreements
The New Vision project's reimbursement agreement and interlocal agreement determine how and when the developer gets repaid using tax increment dollars captured on the brownfield site. The board got a status update scheduled on where those agreements stand.
Mural sponsorship at 221 West Saginaw Street
M3 Group gave a detailed update on the launch of the mural district marketing campaign, promoting the corridor as an arts destination.
New City Hall opening and sale of old building
Spadafore gave a history sendoff: 300 people have served since 1859, and the new building puts the council chamber on the ground floor — 'democracy is coming back down to the ground floor.'
César Chávez Avenue renaming
The long-running street renaming debate continues. The committee heard from community members, plans more outreach including possible surveys and door-to-door contact, and will revisit quarterly — with holiday season off the table for timing.
Kiosk removal and downtown streetscape art
The old kiosk spots are a tripping hazard and the first art proposals came in over budget and off-theme. The board is spending up to $60,000 to get a redesign from a local artist that fits streetscape standards, and wants the Lugnuts' spare concrete baseballs considered for Michigan Avenue.
Home Repair & Aging in Place Program funding
Lansing seniors can get daily meals and fitness programs at Alfreda Schmidt, free vaccination clinics through Kroger, and a summer property tax deferment if they're 62+ and earn under $40,000. The committee wants to keep tracking what services seniors actually use.
Vacant & Blighted Property Replacement fund
A proposed $300,000 fund would tackle vacant, abandoned and blighted residential and commercial properties through stabilization, demolition, site prep and environmental assessment, getting tough parcels ready for redevelopment.
New ownership progress at 1218 Gordon Avenue
The new owners of this blighted house have pulled permits and cleared the home out. They got 90 days to show EDP real progress before any demolition order moves forward.
Brownfield redevelopment of former University Motor Mall site
Brownfield Plan 91 would use tax increment financing to reimburse GTZ Properties roughly $709,000 for site cleanup at 6420 S. Cedar, a nearly six-acre former car dealership site with a Chick-fil-A already operating. The site is pad-ready with potential for 80 new jobs and several additional tenants.
Brownfield Plan #91, 6420 S. Cedar Street
A brownfield plan for a cleared, pad-ready site at 6420 S. Cedar Street would use tax capture for cleanup/reimbursement, seeking local-only reimbursement due to state timing rules. The property is being marketed to multiple retail and restaurant tenants. A public hearing is set for August 10.
Grand River corridor streetscape design
The corridor makeover is moving forward with new 3D visuals from consultants, and the board wants even more renderings to picture what streetscape improvements will look like.