Downtown Lansing Inc. recognized for outstanding downtown revitalization efforts
LANSING, Mich. (Sept. 27, 2023) — Main Street America has announced Downtown Lansing Inc. (DLI) as a 2024 Great American Main Street Award (GAMSA) Semifinalist.
DLI, the downtown management agency and Main Street organization for Downtown Lansing was recognized alongside seven other industry-leading national organizations for its outstanding downtown revitalization efforts, demonstrating exemplary use of the Main Street Approach™ to lead community-based transformation strategies in downtown.
Andy Schor, Mayor of Lansing, commented, “Downtown Lansing is one of the best
downtowns in America! While we in Lansing know this, I am excited that this has been
recognized nationally. Lansing has faced the challenges brought on by the pandemic
and we are coming out stronger than ever. More housing, new investments, many small
businesses opening, concert halls, and amenities, retail and restaurant incubators, and
incredible opportunities abound. Being named to the top 8 of all downtowns and Main
Street communities shows that the hard work has paid off, but we will not stop there.
The DLI staff, board, and volunteers have been working hard with my administration to
ensure the future remains bright, and I am so thankful for the work done by everyone
here to keep our downtown moving forward.”
This prestigious award is the nation’s top award recognizing communities for their
excellence in comprehensive preservation-based commercial district revitalization. A
jury of professionals and leaders in the fields of community and economic development
and historic preservation convened to review a nationwide pool of applicants.
“The heart of Michigan’s Capital City is its Downtown District,” said Cathleen Edgerly,
Executive Director of DLI. “Downtown Lansing is evolving into a neighborhood that
fosters community engagement through our culture, opportunities, and activities at all
hours of the day. This national recognition is further proof that the future of our district is
bright. Join us as we transform Downtown Lansing into a thriving urban center that
energizes the entire region.”
In the heart of Michigan’s capital city, DLI is prioritizing walkability, sustainability, and
accessibility to create a Main Street that welcomes everyone. This program has a long
list of successes including streetscape improvements, public art installations, state-wide
business recruitment, and DEIA planning.
Before COVID, the downtown area was primarily known as a space for office workers
and lunchtime eateries. The pandemic radically altered the business landscape and
forced DLI to re-evaluate its revitalization strategy through a Comprehensive Market
Analysis that addressed the future commercial and residential needs of the district,
while also re-evaluating the district’s identity. DLI worked with businesses to expand
weeknight and weekend hours, developers to bring more than 900 new housing units to
the district, and new partners to expand the area’s arts and cultural offerings. These
changes have ushered in a new era for downtown Lansing as a vibrant destination that
cultivates a real sense of place.
“The Great American Main Street Award is the highest honor that we grant to
organizations within our network,” said Matt Wagner, Chief Program Officer at Main
Street America. “We are elated to recognize Downtown Lansing Inc. and seven peer
organizations as 2024 GAMSA Semifinalists for their incredible accomplishments in
transforming their downtowns through innovative programs strategically designed to
preserve their unique heritage, foster economic vitality, and create a welcoming
atmosphere.”
The 2024 GAMSA winners will be announced at the opening plenary of the 2024 Main
Street Now Conference in Birmingham, Alabama, on May 6, 2024.
“We are proud that Downtown Lansing Inc.’s work to celebrate its history and create a
vibrant Main Street district has been recognized as a semi-finalist for the Great
American Main Street Award,” said Laura Krizov, Main Street Manager at the Michigan
Economic Development Corporation. “It is exciting to see the efforts of Downtown
Lansing Inc. paying off and taking them to the next level of revalorization. The board,
volunteers, business community, and staff have worked diligently to enhance this sense
of community and are deserving of this top 8 placement.”
Learn more about Downtown Lansing Inc. and its revitalization efforts at
www.DowntownLansing.org.
LANSING, Mich. (Sept. 27, 2023) — Main Street America has announced Downtown Lansing Inc. (DLI) as a 2024 Great American Main Street Award (GAMSA) Semifinalist.
DLI, the downtown management agency and Main Street organization for Downtown Lansing was recognized alongside seven other industry-leading national organizations for its outstanding downtown revitalization efforts, demonstrating exemplary use of the Main Street Approach™ to lead community-based transformation strategies in downtown.
Andy Schor, Mayor of Lansing, commented, “Downtown Lansing is one of the best
downtowns in America! While we in Lansing know this, I am excited that this has been
recognized nationally. Lansing has faced the challenges brought on by the pandemic
and we are coming out stronger than ever. More housing, new investments, many small
businesses opening, concert halls, and amenities, retail and restaurant incubators, and
incredible opportunities abound. Being named to the top 8 of all downtowns and Main
Street communities shows that the hard work has paid off, but we will not stop there.
The DLI staff, board, and volunteers have been working hard with my administration to
ensure the future remains bright, and I am so thankful for the work done by everyone
here to keep our downtown moving forward.”
This prestigious award is the nation’s top award recognizing communities for their
excellence in comprehensive preservation-based commercial district revitalization. A
jury of professionals and leaders in the fields of community and economic development
and historic preservation convened to review a nationwide pool of applicants.
“The heart of Michigan’s Capital City is its Downtown District,” said Cathleen Edgerly,
Executive Director of DLI. “Downtown Lansing is evolving into a neighborhood that
fosters community engagement through our culture, opportunities, and activities at all
hours of the day. This national recognition is further proof that the future of our district is
bright. Join us as we transform Downtown Lansing into a thriving urban center that
energizes the entire region.”
In the heart of Michigan’s capital city, DLI is prioritizing walkability, sustainability, and
accessibility to create a Main Street that welcomes everyone. This program has a long
list of successes including streetscape improvements, public art installations, state-wide
business recruitment, and DEIA planning.
Before COVID, the downtown area was primarily known as a space for office workers
and lunchtime eateries. The pandemic radically altered the business landscape and
forced DLI to re-evaluate its revitalization strategy through a Comprehensive Market
Analysis that addressed the future commercial and residential needs of the district,
while also re-evaluating the district’s identity. DLI worked with businesses to expand
weeknight and weekend hours, developers to bring more than 900 new housing units to
the district, and new partners to expand the area’s arts and cultural offerings. These
changes have ushered in a new era for downtown Lansing as a vibrant destination that
cultivates a real sense of place.
“The Great American Main Street Award is the highest honor that we grant to
organizations within our network,” said Matt Wagner, Chief Program Officer at Main
Street America. “We are elated to recognize Downtown Lansing Inc. and seven peer
organizations as 2024 GAMSA Semifinalists for their incredible accomplishments in
transforming their downtowns through innovative programs strategically designed to
preserve their unique heritage, foster economic vitality, and create a welcoming
atmosphere.”
The 2024 GAMSA winners will be announced at the opening plenary of the 2024 Main
Street Now Conference in Birmingham, Alabama, on May 6, 2024.
“We are proud that Downtown Lansing Inc.’s work to celebrate its history and create a
vibrant Main Street district has been recognized as a semi-finalist for the Great
American Main Street Award,” said Laura Krizov, Main Street Manager at the Michigan
Economic Development Corporation. “It is exciting to see the efforts of Downtown
Lansing Inc. paying off and taking them to the next level of revalorization. The board,
volunteers, business community, and staff have worked diligently to enhance this sense
of community and are deserving of this top 8 placement.”
Learn more about Downtown Lansing Inc. and its revitalization efforts at
www.DowntownLansing.org.
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About Downtown Lansing Inc.
Downtown Lansing Inc. serves as the downtown management agency and Main Street
organization committed to promoting the culture and sustainability of the downtown
business district while lifting up local. Learn more at www.downtownlansing.org.
About Main Street America
Main Street America leads a movement committed to strengthening communities
through preservation-based economic development in older and historic downtowns and
neighborhood commercial districts. For more than 40 years, Main Street America has
provided a practical, adaptable, and impactful framework for community-driven,
comprehensive revitalization through the Main Street Approach™. Our network of more
than 1,600 neighborhoods and communities, rural and urban, share both a commitment
to place and to building stronger communities through preservation-based economic
development. Since 1980, communities participating in the program have generated
more than $101.58 billion in new public and private investment, generated 168,693 net
new businesses and 746,897 net new jobs, rehabilitated more than 325,119 buildings,
and levered over 33.7 million volunteer hours. Main Street America is a nonprofit
subsidiary of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. For more information, visit
mainstreet.org.
