Should the city concentrate streetscape/infrastructure investment in Old Town and REO Town, or spread it more evenly across other commercial corridors?
Old Town (north of downtown along the Grand River) and REO Town (south of downtown, named for the Ransom E. Olds / REO Motor Car Company history) are Lansing's two most visible neighborhood commercial district revitalization stories. Both have drawn new small businesses and residential interest over the past decade, and both periodically come up when Council debates where to direct limited streetscape and infrastructure dollars.
Overview
Old Town (along the Grand River, north of downtown) and REO Town (named for the Ransom E. Olds / REO Motor Car Company history, south of downtown) are Lansing's two clearest neighborhood commercial revitalization stories, and a recurring reference point whenever Council debates where to direct streetscape dollars.
The Two Sides
- Momentum compounds — proven districts attract more private investment per public dollar
- Other corridors need the investment more and risk being permanently overlooked
Should the city concentrate streetscape/infrastructure investment in Old Town and REO Town, or spread it more evenly across other commercial corridors?
Yes — concentrate where revitalization is already working
No — other corridors need the investment more and are being ignored
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