Press Release – New City Market Taking Shape

2 09 2009

From a City of Lansing press release…

New Lansing City Market Riseson Downtown Riverfront
First Steel Beams to be Erected for New $1.6 Million Facility

(LANSING) – Mayor Virg Bernero and Interim LEPFA President/CEO Scott Keith will be on hand tomorrow for the raising of the first steel beams in the construction of the new Lansing City Market on the Grand River in downtown Lansing.

The new market is expected to be completed in late November and market vendors are anticipated to move into the new structure shortly thereafter. The $1.6 million project is a key centerpiece of the “extreme makeover” currently underway along both sides of the river from Michigan Avenue to Shiawassee Street.

WHO: Mayor Virg Bernero, LEPFA Interim President/CEO Scott Keith, LEPFA Board Chair James Butler III, representatives of Studio Intrigue (Project Architects), Kares Construction (Project Contractor) and other local officials.

WHAT: Beam Raising for the New Lansing City Market

WHERE: Cedar Street just south of Shiawassee (parking available in current City Market lot or at Lansing Center)

WHEN: Thursday, September 3, 2009 at 11:30 a.m.

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Press Release – Downtown Lansing Market Study

6 01 2009

From a City of Lansing Press Release….

Public Welcomed to Be Part of Downtown Lansing’s Future!
Downtown Lansing Conducts Extensive Market Study

“Market studies are imperative to successful economic development—which translates into jobs! Downtown Lansing has not had a market study done in nearly ten years.” acknowledged Bob Trezise, Jr., President and CEO of the Lansing Economic Development Corporation. “Since downtown Lansing has dramatically changed over the last three years, to the tune of over $500 million in new private investment, it is the right time to conduct a new downtown market study and keep our momentum going strong and in the smart direction.”

“Downtown Lansing is a rich urban environment where we want to foster creativity and growth, while maintaining the character and history of the district.” stated Mindy Biladeau, Executive Director of the Lansing Principal Shopping District. “Understanding the experiences and reflections of everyone in the public is vital to planning its future.”

The Lansing Economic Development Corporation (LEDC) has commissioned a Downtown Lansing Market Study and Strategies project with the Downtown Professionals Network (DPN) to accurately understand the value and future of Downtown Lansing. As a part of the study, a public workshop will be held on Wednesday, January 7, from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. in the Governor’s Room of the Lansing Center, 333 E. Michigan Ave.

“Market studies are imperative to successful economic development—which translates into jobs! Downtown Lansing has not had a market study done in nearly ten years.” acknowledged Bob Trezise, Jr., President and CEO of the Lansing Economic Development Corporation. “Since downtown Lansing has dramatically changed over the last three years, to the tune of over $500 million in new private investment, it is the right time to conduct a new downtown market study and keep our momentum going strong and in the smart direction.”

The Market study process has been designed to provide a current snapshot of downtown Lansing today and to offer a glimpse of downtown’s potential and opportunities for the future in terms of business, residential and new market prospects.

“Downtown Lansing is a rich urban environment where we want to foster creativity and growth, while maintaining the character and history of the district.” stated Mindy Biladeau, Executive Director of the Lansing Principal Shopping District. “Understanding the experiences and reflections of everyone in the public is vital to planning its future.” Read the rest of this entry »


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Press Release – City Market Public Meeting

5 12 2008

From a LEPFA press release..

PUBLIC VIEWING OF LANSING CITY MARKET SCHEMATIC DESIGNS DEC. 18

Lansing, MI— Officials will hold a public meeting in order to gain further input on proposed designs of the new Lansing City Market. The meeting will occur on Thursday, December 18, at 6:00p.m. in the Governor’s Room at the Lansing Center, 333 E. Michigan Ave..

Studio Intrigue Architects, a Lansing-based firm, has been selected to design the new Market. The firm has held two charrettes with the City Market Vendors Association to generate and prioritize concepts for the proposed design. Those ideas, along with suggestions from previous public charrettes, a USDA architect, Michigan State University specialists and LEPFA management have been transformed by Studio Intrigue into design schematics.

“The use of sustainable and ‘green’ technology principles, maintaining the local character, and soliciting input from surrounding businesses and Lansing residents, are all critical to the overall vision of this plan,” said Eric Hart, Lansing Entertainment & Public Facilities Authority (LEPFA) President and CEO. “The meeting will further discussion of the designs proposed for the market,” Hart continued. All members of the community are encouraged to attend the December 18 presentation and participate in the process.

“We want to create a market that is an integral piece of both the downtown landscape and riverfront
re-development. Our hope is that it will fit Lansing’s vision for the future. To do that, we need to rely on public involvement and feedback,” Hart said.

The historic Lansing City Market is managed by LEPFA and was established by the City of Lansing in 1909. It has been located at the corner of Cedar Street and Shiawassee since 1938. It is home to high-quality local farmers, food merchants and artisans that bring their goods to sell to the public in a warm, family-friendly environment. Vendors provide the best-in-quality items at reasonable prices in a unique and inviting atmosphere. Visit the Lansing City Market to experience our personal touch while shopping for the freshest, finest, local products available in the region. http://www.lansingcitymarket.com

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City Market Vote – Liveblogging – Market Approved!

18 08 2008

The City Council is taking up the issue of the City Market at tonight’s City Council Meeting…I got the TIVO going on this one, but it’s going to be a long, long night.  There are almost 70 people signed up for public comment on legislative matters and general matters.  The Council did vote to limit public comment to 2 minutes instead of 3, but if everyone speaks, that’s still 2 hours and 20 minutes of public comment.

Before that though, Mayor Bernero made a few comments about the project.

He said it will create jobs for 100’s of skilled trades people and opportunities for citizens.  It will grow the city’s taxbase and help pay for essential services.  It will also clean up historic environmental contamination along the riverfront. The new building will be a $1.6 million new facility that is energy efficient and more spacious. 

“This is the plan that will catapult the Lansing City Market to new heights of success”

Update 7:51 PM – There were some updates to the final development agreement over the weekend. 

  1. Added definition to not include strip malls.  No single story commercial structure
  2. Defined expected economic tools from city.  Struck Dept. of Environ. Quality loan.
  3. Developer may make application for incentives that will require approval from City.
  4. Developer has agreed to make good faith efforts to hire diverse Mid-Michigan workforce.  Developer agree to put in contract with construction manager language that reads “All contractors must adhere to the City of Lansing’s taxing regulations which include reporting income tax and wage detail information.”
  5. Some dates have been tweaked a little bit to bring in to unity time to complete the project. 
  6. Closing date was moved up by a month from May1 to April 1 to fit new payment schedule.  Full payment for property due April 1 so construction cannot be started before property is sold
  7. Prepayments will not returned if developer decides not to build before closing
  8. In a scenario in the future, if he were to sell the building or piece of property to any non tax paying entity, he would agree to pay the full millage rate on the property 63.63 mills for 15 years starting with the date of the occupancy permit being issued on whatever that project is.

Update 8:00 PM – Public comment starts and one of the first guys up come out yelling about historical buildings and bashing the mayor and threatens that everyone up there can be replaced. Read the rest of this entry »


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City Market Plans Need More Work

15 08 2008

The City held a work session with developer Pat Gillespie yesterday trying to come to a consensus on a new City Market.  The State-Journal  has the recap.

Gillespie hopes ultimately to get the six votes he needs to replace the old market building at Cedar and Shiawassee streets with Market Place, a $24 million to $30 million retail, office and residential development on the downtown riverfront.

“It’s a work in progress,” (Councilman Eric) Hewitt said of the agreement. “I’m very encouraged by the fact that Pat Gillespie has been willing to sit down, listen to our comments and include them in the buy/sell agreement.”

Council members unanimously agreed Thursday to vote on the sale at Monday’s full session. Yet they’ve stated lingering concerns about the agreement’s language regarding incentives, a clean-up loan and Gillespie’s commitment to hiring local labor.

Local labor?  Fine.  If they bid competitively then give them the job, but you can’t just give people work because of where they live.  For example, I live five miles from Spartan Stadium.  I do freelance work for the Big Ten Network.  MSU has a home game on Sept. 6 that will air on BTN.  I’m driving 340 miles one way to Champaign to work for the same network instead of working the MSU game.  In my case, it’s not price because I’m probably cheaper than some guys who work here, but it has more to do with seniority.  I would love to be able to stay here and work instead of going to Illinois, but it’s not going to happen, so I go where the work is.  It happens…it’s part of life and it shouldn’t hold up the City Market.  Something needs to be done to revitalize the property.  As I’ve said many times, I’m a recent transplant to Lansing.  I was really looking forward to the City Market.  When we got here, I’ve been nothing but disappointed.  I would rather go to some of the once a week farmer’s markets and do most of my shopping at Horrocks.  Something needs to be done.  The historic building isn’t enough.  Sometimes, you have to start over to make progress.  Take a lot of pictures and save signs.  That’s what museums are for.


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City Market Vote Delayed

8 08 2008

This is actually pretty common city politics when it comes to hot button issues.

Council members agreed at Thursday’s Committee of the Whole session – their first opportunity to grill Gillespie since Monday’s public hearing – that Aug. 18 is the earliest they will vote on the change in ownership.

Gillespie requested the extension to be more accessible and accommodating with feedback, city officials said.

It would help if city council members were getting in touch with Gillespie ahead of time, but this is probably the best step in the process. 

Despite the hundreds of jobs and the new year-round, indoor-outdoor market that Market Place promises, council members said Thursday they want more information about several things. That includes a business plan for the market, the construction schedule and the amount of local laborers that would be hired to work on Market Place. Read the rest of this entry »


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Press Release – New City Market Rally

3 08 2008

From a press release.

MEDIA ALERT

City Market Rally Proponents of the new City Market Project gather at Stadium District

What: Rally of supporters for the new City Market Project

Who: Supporters of the New City Market Proposal

When: Monday, August 4 at 5 p.m.

Where: Stadium District in the undeveloped retail area of the first floor

Why: To gather together all supporters of the proposed new City Market and answer questions of those who are interested in additional information on the project

Details: The public is invited to come and support the new City Market Project and get additional information before heading to the Lansing City Council meeting that evening to voice support


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Planning Board Votes to Sell City Market

23 07 2008
Could the Lansing City Market be getting a new home?

Could the Lansing City Market be getting a new home?

I really think this could be a good thing.  I know there’s history in the current building, but anything to pump  some new life into the Market can’t hurt.  I’ve been there twice and both times was a little disappointed.

The Lansing Planning Board voted 6-0 Tuesday to support the $1.6 million sale of Lansing City Market to East Lansing developer Pat Gillespie.

“I support what the city is proposing to do with the sale of the property,” said Andrew Frederick, a Planning Board member. “I’m willing to trade off the history preservation for getting that (site) cleaned up.”

Gillespie wants the market property at Shiawassee and Cedar streets for Market Place, a $24 million to $30 million retail, office and residential development along the downtown riverfront.

With proceeds from the sale, Lansing officials have said the city would build a new $1.2 million to $1.7 million year-round, indoor-and-outdoor market on nearby park land it owns. Read the rest of this entry »


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Lansing City Market

29 06 2008
  • 333 N. Cedar St.
  • Lansing, MI 48912
  • (517) 483-7460
  • Website

I really want to like the Lansing City Market.  When we were planning our move to Lansing, both of us were really excited about a year-round farmer’s market that was open a few days a week.  In our present situation, there was a market 15 miles away that was only open Saturday mornings from eight to noon from May through September and since my girlfriend worked Saturday mornings, we could never go to the market together.  Our first weekend here after the move, we got up early and headed downtown.  We had expectations that this was going to be the best thing that ever happened to us.  What a disappointment.  The vendors were rude and pushy and the selection wasn’t that good.  I wasn’t ready to give up though.  It was April, so it was still pretty early in the year.  I said we’d try again come summer.  Well, we tried again at the end of June.  The selection was better and the vendors were a little less pushy, but our view of the market didn’t really change much. Read the rest of this entry »


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Categories : Farmer's Market, Lansing, Reviews