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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024 - Lansing Entertainment & Public Facilities Authority LEPFA 2024 Annual Report Draft DRAFT LANSING ENTERTAINMENT & PUBLIC FACILITIES AUTHORITY Tristan Wright, President & CEO L KV P FA Lansing Entertainment& Public Facilities Authority Department Description The Lansing Entertainment& Public Facilities Authority(LEPFA) is a governmental agency of the City of Lansing, providing professional management in the administration, operation, marketing and maintenance of the Lansing Center, Jackson Field, Groesbeck Golf Course and other community/regional interest events and activities. Accomplishments in 2024 The position of the Lansing Entertainment & Public Facilities Authority (LEPFA) has continued to recover in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. We are currently at 92%full-time staffing, with 36 of the 39 full-time positions filled. Despite the fact that LEPFA continues to encounter challenges related to personnel, supply chain, and inflation (including increases in utility and food costs), we have observed progress.The absence of investment in the infrastructure of LEPFA-managed properties has resulted in supplementary obstacles to conducting business. Nevertheless, the Lansing Center did receive $5 million from the state of Michigan in 2023, which has been used to finance a variety of enhancements over the past fifteen years. The State of Michigan's $5 million appropriations have been allocated to renovations, including technological enhancements, safety and security upgrades, roof restorations, and the implementation of a new food option. Groesbeck Golf Course has consistently maintained a strong position in terms of revenue, amenities, rounds, and play. Moreover, LEPFA has made significant investments in the course and its infrastructure, thereby enhancing the overall play and customer evaluations of this city asset. Jackson Field received the most infrastructure investments to enhance the stadium to meet MLB (Major League Baseball) standards. Although the majority of special events have been postponed, LEPFA remains optimistic that they will resume in the summer of 2025. For the fiscal year 2023, LEPFA received an unmodified clean audit. /Mjj �Mii ii' LANSING w' o CENTEP The Lansing Center (LC) held 190 events this past year with nearly 433 event days. Over 128,000 people attended events at the LC throughout the year, and under 15,000 directly attributable room nights. The Lansing Center has recycled over 15,000 pounds of material this year and DRAFT contributed over 12,000 pounds of re-usable food items to the Greater Lansing Food Bank & Food Movers, while continuing to offer opportunities to staff and our events/facilities to help those in need in our community. While there has been a minor uptick in the meetings and events sector, numbers have not yet returned to pre-Covid levels. The scale and scope of events are expected to gradually return, with further growth in meetings and events anticipated until 2025. It is anticipated that rising labor, utility, and goods expenses as well as general inflation will put pressure on revenues. Even though events are returning, total attendance is still recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic. Improvements to the Lansing Center Property/Infrastructure include: • Transitioned 34 lights in main concourse corridor to LED to increase lighting and energy efficiency. • Re-landscaped the Gazebo and Capital View area to include new plants and trees to assist in a more welcoming and lush landscape on the riverside of the building. • A new riding vacuum and walk behind carpet extractor were purchased to assist and maintain a healthier carpet environment for guests • We purchased a 20-foot scissor lift to improve upon safety and increase efficiency with normal maintenance items, as well as increasing efficiency for events with hanging equipment needs. • Re-equipped a concession stand while also improving the fagade • Increased our internet bandwidth to assist with customer needs for events to also include new hardware. • Finished the final phase of repairing the riverside balcony which overlooks the gazebo area • Replaced the Domestic Cold-water line that supplies the Lansing Center with Water that was failing and corroding due to age. • Replaced a section of roof over the Rotunda area of the Lansing Center. JACKS �DN"' ;Z� 'M During 2024 season,the Lugnuts welcome 266,369 fans to Jackson Field and hosted 66 home games attendance took a dip in 2024 but there were several factors that attributed to the small dip in DRAFT attendance. MiLB was down about 3%across the board so that played a role. However,there were some local factors that attributed to the small dip in attendance. The Lugnuts had (four rainouts) in 2024 typical they have never had more than two in a season in prior years. Road construction was a factor in making if challenging to get to the downtown area. Lastly the Lugnuts were on the road in 2024 on the 0 of July for the first time in 23 seasons.Typically, the 4t"of July sells out. The team finished with an overall record of 59-72, which placed them fifth in the division. The Lugnuts did find success on a couple of new promotional nights with the hopes of growth. They hosted "Peatnuts" nut featuring Charlei Brown and the gang which was the top performing Peanuts night in MiLB.The Lugnuts saw the largest uptick in attendance for the night over their average as well as one of the biggest gains in retail sales for the night over their averages.The Lugnuts continues to find success with their music-themed nights featuring the music of Motown and partnering with the Motown Museum as well as a very popular Margaritaville Night telling the story of Jimmy Buffett and how he claims that the state of Michigan was key to his success and ultimate rise in popularity. The Lugnuts saw a significant growth in their Copa de la Diversion nights where they play as the Lansing Locos. For the first time in Lugnuts history,they committed to wearing out alternate identity for at least one home game per homestand and they were committed to telling that story.To enhance the experience during the Locos games,they rebranded one of the concessions stands "Locos Tacos", added the Locos logo to most of their wayfinding signage, and they are currently in the process of adding Spanish to a lot of their signage at Jackson Field stadium. 2024 was a banner year for the Lugnuts as far as room rentals go, though they did not host as many large-scale special events as they have in the past. The Lugnuts put major emphasis on showcasing and selling the View more, which worked well. Prior to the season the Lugnuts worked with LEPFA and the City of Lansing to complete the second phase of PDL facility renovations required by Major League Baseball.This included an additional batting tunnel, renovations to the Lugnuts home locker room,the expansion of the batter's eye. There were some minor improvements to Jackson Field stadium for example a large section of the seating bowl and drainage repairs made to concrete surfaces. Add some humane pest management solutions since the stadium is open air which attracts many unwanted pests to the property due to easier accessibility for wildlife. 2024 also saw the organizations continued emphasis on special events and activating the stadium year- round: • Grand River Country Club:Two separate weekends of the self-contained nine-hole golf.As well as the Nutty Golf, which was putt-putt golf on the field. • Festivals:A Spring and Fall Beerfest at the Ballpark. Olive Burger Festival • Community: Movie Night at the Ballpark,featured Inside Out 2 and Barbie Movie • Other:The stadium hosted numerous other events including the Dark Side of the Diamond, 4t" of July Pink Floyd cover band with a laser show. Game, Special Olympics Polar Plunge, DRAFT 6 GOLF COURSE � �y The 2024 season at Groesbeck Golf Course was an overall great success with steady traffic and revenue numbers. A slow start had a large impact on our overall rounds and revenue, mostly due to weather. Although, the remainder of the season saw improved numbers nearly every week in rounds played and revenue per round generated. During the 2024 season Groesbeck Golf Course hosted 30,227 rounds of golf. Groesbeck hosted 24 separate leagues this season. In addition to leagues, 13 outings occurred this season with a total of 609 participants. Both the Lansing Catholic girl's and boy's teams used Groesbeck as their home course this season. Improvements to the course/infrastructure include: • The growing season started very early this season. The course was open for play on March 1. As of mid-November, the course is still open. • Groesbeck won 2 separate community choice awards. The first was at the end of 2023 Top of the Town through City Pulse, and the second The Official Community's Choice Awards of 2024 through Lansing State Journal. Both times we beat Eagle Eye. • Our customers regularly comment on the improvements of the course conditions, and we have brought many golfers back to the course that haven't played here in years. • Planning for renovation of the hydraulic portion of the irrigation system is underway. Our goal is to have the renovation take place within the next two years. • We continued to restore bunkers to their original shape. The green side bunkers on 8 were about half their original size prior to restoration. • At the end of 2023 we extended the landing area on 16 fairway. We grew it in at the start of this season, and now have established the area as fairway. • We purchased a Turfco Widespin 1550 topdresser. This was a much-needed piece of equipment and will allow us to regularly and consistently apply sand to the greens which will continue to approve the quality of the greens. • The old Groesbeck Road sign fell along Oakland, and we were able to have a new and very much improved sign installed. Rounds Played FY 17 14,702 (not under LEPFA management) FY 18 21,523 FY 19 23,646 DRAFT FY 20 24,957 FY 21 32,791 FY 22 29,792 FY 23 29,770 FY 24 30,227 LEPFA Managed Facilities/Events (by the numbers) Revenues Lansing Center Jackson Field Groesbeck Total FY 22 $6,228,387 $ 555 $860,725 $7,089,667 FY 23 $5,546,386 $ 17,842 $938,997 $6,503,225 FY 24 $6,425,964 $4,181 $964,038 $7,394,183 Expenses Lansing Center Jackson Field Groesbeck Total FY 22 $5,747,287 $524,166 $532,644 $6,804,097 FY 23 $7,088,527 $473,455 $1,100,200 $8,774,515 FY 24 $8,257,040 $577,276 $ 893,013 $9,727,637 Economic Impact Lansing Center Jackson Field Other facilities/events Total FY 21 $ 3,981,355 $ 1,048,455 $ 825,926 $ 5,855,736 FY 22 $21,522,309 $ 6,322,188 $ 3,044,224 $30,888,721 FY 23 $23,674,540 $ 6,954,407 $ 3,348,646 $33,977,593 FY 24 $22,964,303 $ 6,745,774 $ 3,248,186 $32,958,263 In 2024, revenues at the Lansing Center had a modest increase compared to the prior year, attributed to increased events and attendance. Furthermore, revenues rose as a result of grants and alternative financing sources stemming from the pandemic. Expenses rose due to heightened activity, increasing costs of products, labor, and utilities. Jackson Field saw the return of the regular MiLB baseball season thus revenue in 2024 however due to a few rainouts there was a slight reduction in attendance from prior years. Expenses increased accordingly due to activity at the stadium. DRAFT Overall Economic Impact for LEPFA managed properties and events was just over $30M. Silver Bells in the City: 40th Anniversary It was that time of year when Downtown Lansing's city sidewalks turned into busy sidewalks dressed in holiday style for the 40th annual Silver Bells in the City celebration. First held in 1984, Silver Bells in the City has transcended modest beginnings to become a touchstone holiday event which attracted more than 63,000 to Michigan's capital city on the Friday before Thanksgiving. Presented by the Lansing Board of Water and Light and the City of Lansing, this year's bash fell on Friday,Nov. 22, running from 5 to 9 p.m. The signature Electric Light Parade has anchored Silver Bells since 1997. This year's parade stepped off at 6 p.m. from the corner of Lenawee Street and South Washington Square. The parade featured more than 70 entries decked out with thousands of lights. Entries included 11 high school marching bands, horse drawn dignitary carriages, Santa Claus atop his sleigh and more! Attendees were able to add to the electric spectacle with commemorative LED wristbands. Event staff distributed 10,000 wristbands on a first come, first served basis ahead of the parade. The wristbands synchronized with the night's musical performances and compliments of the Lansing Board of Water and Light, LAFCU, General Motors, CATA and the Lansing Center. Wristbands were all gone by 5:40 PM. Following the parade, the festivities continued with the annual state Christmas tree lighting ceremony at the capitol building. Dignitaries flipped the switch that set it aglow. This year's state tree was a gorgeous 60-foot-tall spruce donated by Eagle, Mich. residents Rich and Dorcas Albertson. More than 10,000 ruby red lights adorned the tree, the most lights in the history of the state Christmas tree. As always, the tree lighting was followed by a community sing, headlined this year by Miami- born singer/songwriter, David Archuleta. Since first stepping into the pop spotlight at age 17, David Archuleta has embodied the kind of genuine star power that can't be manufactured. After years of dazzling audiences with his radiant personality and phenomenal voice- a journey that's included turning out multiple platinum-selling hits, achieving global acclaim as a captivating live performer, and emerging as an undeniable fixture on the pop-culture scene. David's angelic voice, bashful sweetness and megawatt smile infused Silver Bells in the City with Joy (to the World)! After the community sing performance, a pair of skyward spectacles lit up the night further. First, 200 drones performed a Firefly Drone Light Show synchronized to music. After that, a stunning firework display over the capitol served as the evening's grand finale. Best Illuminated Band Award Winners I Electric Light Parade St.Johns Redwing High School Marching Band, won the Best Illuminated Band Award-Large Band and Bath High School Marching Band, won the Best Illuminated Band Award-Small Band during the Silver Bells in the City Electric Light Parade. Each winning band received $500 courtesy of the Lansing Board of Water & Light and a $500 gift card courtesy of Marshall Music at their holiday concerts. DRAFT Silver Bells Village The footprint of the Silver Bells Village was expanded for this year's event and was the perfect place to start your holiday shopping, get some refreshments and purchase a Silver Bells commemorative ornament. The village featured 30 vendors and seven food trailers/trucks. Commemorative Ornament The 40th anniversary commemorative ornaments were proudly handcrafted in Lansing by artist Tiffany Marie of La Fille Gallery. These ruby-anniversary-inspired ornaments are sold out. New Component to Silver Bells Silver Bells partnered with the Mid-Michigan Autism Association to help families who need a more sensory friendly experience enjoy the event to the fullest. The Silver Bells website featured tips on how to prepare for the event. In addition, headphones, earplugs, fidget spinners, sunglasses and sensory maps were available, while supplies lasted, at the Mid-Michigan Autism Association booth in the Silver Bells Village. The noise cancelling headphones were done within an hour along with 300 fidgets and almost 200 earplugs. Silver Bells in the City Broadcasts For those unable to attend in person, FOX 47 broadcasted the Silver Bells in the City Electric Light Parade live from 6:00 p.m. — 8:00 p.m. The broadcast also aired locally at the same time on Comcast Channel 12 courtesy of the Lansing Public Media Center. Encore presentations on FOX 47 are as follows: • Thursday, 11/28 (Thanksgiving Day) from 8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. following "FOX 47 Morning News." • Friday, 11/29 from 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m., following "FOX 47 Morning News." • Sunday, 12/22, from 4:30 p.m.- 6:30 p.m. following "Detroit Lions Football on FOX." • Wednesday, 12/25 (Christmas Day) from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Silver Bells 5K Race Breaks Record Friday's fun gave way to the 121h annual Silver Bells 5K race, which started at 9 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 23 with 1,086 participants. Participants could run or walk the marked course in downtown Lansing. All finishers received medals, a long-sleeve tee and a commemorative bib. There was also a costume contest and awards for top age group finishers. Top male overall finisher was Ryan Nowman 16:21 from St. Johns and top female overall finisher was Frances Melina 21:19 from Lansing. Facility Improvements JF- Continued improved locker room and player amenities, additional batting tunnel, extension of the batter's eye, extension of the safety baseball netting. LC-Readerboards at LC. Concession stand A updated. IT infrastructure. GGC-New clubhouse furniture, new golf simulator. Update dated golf carts for rental. DRAFT LEPFA U and STAFF TRANING Training sessions for staff were held throughout the year with each session focusing on a specific training topic. This year, the LEPFA U topic was "LEPFA Sales &YOU" and emphasized how each team member influences the guest experience. Communications training was ongoing throughout and included all staff featuring Lisa Ficher and emergency preparedness protocols. Grand Concert Series The Grand Concert Series is postponed until summer of 2025 Margarita Fest This event is postponed until spring or summer of 2025 2024 Goals/Mission LEPFA continues to work on its mission to be an economic catalyst for downtown Lansing and the Lansing region. We are committed to service excellence, providing outstanding experiences for our guests, providing safe environments for all attending events, and developing strong relationships with our customers, sponsors, and partners. LEPFA is currently working on completion of a new strategic plan for the organization. Groesbeck Golf Course is seeing an increase in participation and food & beverage sales with an emphasis of attracting more golf outings, leagues, and players to enjoy the only public golf course in the City of Lansing. Completion of a new Master Plan for the course is expected to be completed by 2024. LEPFA and the Lugnuts will continue the efforts of offering affordable fun entertainment as part of Jackson Field's efforts to be a community asset. The team, City, and LEPFA have worked to complete a comprehensive plan to update the stadium to MLB standards. The Lansing Center will be working to continue the efforts of recovery and improvement through the challenges of the pandemic and economic crisis. The team will be focused on seeking out all funding that will enable the City to not add additional expenses and operating contributions to the Authority.The LC needs significant funding to make much needed improvements to the facility to keep our guests safe and meetings/events up to industry standards. An emphasis on working with other companies and organizations towards the development of new events and entertainment offerings for the coming year will enable LEPFA to work on its mission as a catalyst to enhance both local and regional economic growth.This would include a new brand strategy and relaunch strategy for events. LEPFA is beginning a new service culture training program initiative to further develop improvements to our overall service of guests. PHOTOS: Silver Bells in the City `in''' `: ' ; y ' ';AMR- � ,,. •.��.'r;..,� ?: I Y . e ,�, SFr, ..f►.. 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