Developments

Businesses and government leaders say they want to see Lansing have a vibrant downtown to grow mid-Michigan. But challenges remain amid with fewer office workers and increasing vacancy.

Joanna Liu left Taiwan nearly 20 years ago to live with her parents in Okemos. She started off preparing sushi to be sold at Meijer. One day, she visited Michigan’s Capital City and became inspired by the activity there.

“I came to downtown and I [saw] a lot of people walk around,” Liu said. “I told my mom, ‘one day I want to have a business here.’”

Guest Written by Melissa Cole

LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) — From mixed-use housing to a new event venue, hundreds of millions of dollars in developments are expected to transform Downtown Lansing as some developers and city leaders say the city is evolving. 

For Immediate Release

Lansing, MI -  July 27, 2024 - Lansing Art Gallery & Education Center invites you to join us for a spectacular evening as we celebrate our 59th anniversary with a special fundraiser on August 16th, from 6 pm to 9 pm. This event promises an unforgettable night of music, art, drinks, and more! Guests are encouraged to wear their favorite black party attire.

• Middle Village is a hub of small businesses in downtown Lansing that provides a micro-storefront for up-and-coming business owners.
• With the implementation of the Michigan Growth Office, it will focus on three pillars to grow the grow and maintain Michigan’s population including a $60 million grant to an innovation hub to increase startups in our state.

Oscar Peña worked in a brewery not too long ago. He needed durable clothing and what he had just wasn’t enough.

Farmers Market at the Capitol returns 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, with additional markets planned Aug. 27 and Sept. 24.

According to the Michigan Farmers Market Association (MIFMA), farmers markets are a staple of downtown Lansing’s summer landscape — where vendors offer vine-ripened produce, jams, flowers, baked goods, honey, maple syrup, and meat, among other options.

MIFMA is a statewide association connecting those consumers to local farms and businesses.  

Lansing is moving to repurpose its downtown city hall, fulfilling a longstanding commitment to convert the aging building into a hotel.

The Lansing City Council voted unanimously Monday night to sell the facility at 124 W. Michigan Ave. for nearly $2.8 million. Chicago-based developer J. Paul Beitler is purchasing the building undera proposal to create around 180 hotel rooms along with a restaurant and retail space.

LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) – The sale of Lansing’s iconic City Hall passed the city council during a meeting Monday.

State funding empowers small businesses in two active Lansing neighborhoods

LANSING, Mich. (July 17, 2024) - Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced support for 31 small businesses across Michigan through the Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s (MEDC) Match on Main program. Of those 31 businesses, Downtown Lansing’s Veg Head and Old Town’s Sweet Custom Jewelry received $40,000 in grants. 

LANSING — A longtime downtown Lansing business suffered damage during Tuesday’s storms.

David Kositchek, the owner of Kositchek’s Menswear, said a portion of the building’s roof collapsed during the night, and the store was closed Wednesday.

“The important thing is, no one was hurt,” he said.

The extent of the damage is still being investigated. Kositchek could not say if anyone’s clothing was damaged or when they would be able to reopen for business.