Editorial: Downtown Lansing needs your time, energy
Areas surrounding Downtown Lansing continue to develop, yet businesses continue to struggle along Washington Square – the major thoroughfare between Lansing Community College and the highway to the south.
This includes pulling the plug on the recently announced Beer Exchange before it even opened.
Lansing Beer Exchange project is dead
The questions on the minds of many: Why? What’s wrong with downtown?
Perhaps a better question would be: How does an individual who cares about downtown help nurture the thriving, vibrant business community everyone desires?
Along this vital corridor favorite lunch spots have closed, the number of bars and restaurants has dwindled and the lack of retail options is evident. Recent closures include The Black Rose, Crafty Palate, Henry’s on the Square, Hot Chicken Kitchen, House of Eden Rock, Lenny’s Sub Shop and the Sarnie Shoppe.
But there are many quality businesses here that remain open – and some are thriving. Numerous volunteers and organizations work every day to help them remain so, even while attempting to draw new business in.
These volunteers are the antithesis to most who work downtown, those who when confronted with the idea of staying downtown for an evening with friends – or even coming back to spend a weekend day here – simply ask the same question: Why?
The answer is simple: to maintain a vibrant business community in the region, you need people who dedicate energy and offer their time to see downtown thrive.
Downtown Lansing Inc. is a group of volunteers that work together on committees like the design team – in charge of streetscapes and historic renovations to create a welcoming atmosphere downtown – and the business development team – supporting local businesses through education and marketing.
The Greater Lansing Convention and Visitor’s Bureau works to draw visitors from across the country to Lansing, many to downtown conventions at the Lansing Center. The tourism ambassador program provides training to volunteers who help host groups and promote local businesses.
Other groups – from the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce to the Greater Lansing Arts Council – host events and projects that could satisfy a desire for a more focused, short-term project. Events like the Capital City Film Festival and Arts Night Out are great opportunities to get involved.
Blossoming Stadium District stifles Washington Square
There are many ways to help:
• Support downtown retail at Kositchek’s, Linn & Owen Jewelers and Summit Comics & Games.
• Spend your evening at one of the fine bars and restaurants that remain downtown – including Kelly’s Downtown, Midtown Brewing Company and Tavern & Tap.
• Keep your lunch plans local with The New Daily Bagel, Firehouse Subs, the Kewpee Sandwich Shop, Lou & Harry’s, Zoup or one of many other great places.
• Encourage new business by watching for EnVie, Strange Matter Coffee and others to open.
Above all else, get involved. Engage with those who are trying to make a difference downtown and add your efforts; your two cents or a few hours of volunteer work go a long way.
– An LSJ editorial