HomeMy WebLinkAboutOppose update Jamie Schriner
Old Town Jamie,LT.,C
1216 Turner Street,Apt.A
Lansing,MI 48906
August 15,2017
Lansing Memorial Review Board Members,
I'm writing to you today as an Old'Town property owner,resident,volunteer,donor and longtime
community stakeholder.I ask you to honor the comn-Atment and agreements that were.made in 2010 for the
honorary naming of Grand River Avenue/Cesar Chavez Avenue and Cesar Chavez Plaza and to work with us
to build the archway,not to impose the permanent and irrevocable mune change.
In 1997,I moved to Lansing;shortly thereafter,I bought my very first house in Old'T'own at 916 North
Walnut,which began my love of the community.Along with my sister,I would walk any dog to Tate's Freeze,
now the Arctic Corner,to get ice cream and wall.through the neighborhood.At that time,the majority of the
buildings were boarded and very little was going on.Old Town had only recently been branded as"Old
"Town"and most people still called it North Lansing or the north end,Despite the more than 90%vacancy
rate at that point,there was an unbelievable spirit and can-do attitude in the community that resonates today.
'Ibis was when the Main Street program was starting and volunteers were becoming organized with very
specific projects.
In the last 20 years,I've been blessed in.that I've now come to call nearly everyone in the community a friend
or a future friend.I spend nearly every minute of my spare time volunteering to make Old'Town'a better
place.bellow volunteers in Old Town have become friends and family.My family has literally set up business
in Old.Town as well as.made it their home.I have been lucky enough to at times snake Old Town any career,
being the Executive Director of the OTCA from 2005 through 2009,so I know exactly wbat.it takes to brand
the community and organize volunteers.It is not easy nor is it cheap.I fear that if you impose this on Old
Town,businesses will permanently close their doors and the OTCA s very limited.resources will no longer go
toward paying for purchasing and emptying the public trash cans,installing and watering flowers and hanging
baskets and holiday decor and the many other things chat everyone assumes the City of Lansing pays for.
Limited dollars will be spent trying to keep small businesses in business and paying for advertising that the
community simply cannot afford.Basic amenities will not be covered,which will further cause the
community to go into disarray.
.As someone who spends a significant amount of time volunteering,I was very excited when the plans were
created by the entire community—both Old Town stakeholders and the Unsing for Cesar Chavez group—to
honor a great man and to make wonderful improvements to the neighborhood.Who wouldn't want these
things to happen?We get an honorary name on our streets,a beautifu archway on the entrance to our public
gathering place where we hold all of our festival and events and an actual name that isn't just"Lot 56";it's
now"Cesar Chavez Plaza."To me,this was going to be wonderful.'I lie best part-was going to be all of the
new volunteers in the community celebrating Mr. Chavez and his impact on Old Town. Imagine my
disappointment when this did not happen. Sadly,only once did I see any volunteers from the J ansing for
Cesar Chavez group helping at a community clean-up after the announcement.There were no more Tejano
festivals.Volunteers from the committee were not at other Old Town festivals.When I'm out weeding(as I
am on a regular basis) those stopping to offer to lend a hand are not from the Chavez committee,And,the
worst was when I learned about the proposed permanent renaming.T asked if we could first work together as
a community to finish the arch to do something positive together to build bridges..I:was told by a leader on
the Chavez committee;"You can finish the arch.We are renaming the road."Thus is not how we do things in
this community.We work together.
I have at times sacrificed time with my family,my friends,my job and my sanity to make Old Town a better
place for everyone who steps foot in it. At a bare minimum,I ask that the Lansing for Cesar Chavez members
make the sacrifice to work with members of the Old Town community to honor their commitments that
were made in 2010.I also stand ready to assist with the arch and would love to work with the committee to
rename the Rivet Trail or another road in Old Town that has both a start and an end,does not already have a
significant history and would not have the impact on so many small businesses.
Both tomorrow evening and Friday I'll be weeding in front of Chavez Plaza and invite you and any other
members of the community and Datsing for Cesar Chavez committee to join me to make Old Town.
Thant.you in advance for your consideration,
I
]'Arlie khtin.er
MICHIGAN HISTORIC
PRESERVATION
NETWORK
r
August 15,2017 ��vgT'ION
Dear Lansing Memorial Review Board:
We are writing as a building owner and longtime tenant in Lansing's Old Town Main Street community.
Michigan Historic Preservation Network is the statewide nonprofit that educates and advocates for
historic preservation. We moved to Old Town 14 years ago,where we rented an office for 10 years. Four
years ago, we mad an investment in Old Town,when we purchased and rehabilitated the Thelma Louise
Osteen Comfort Station at 31.3 East Grand River Avenue.We love being in Old Town,because of its rich
and diverse heritage,its historic buildings and the people who work live and play here. We welcome and
honor everyone here,
The effort to change the name of Grand River Avenue to Cesar Chavez Avenue would demand significant
expenditures on behalf of our organization,as well as all of the property owners,tenants and residents in
Old Town.As a nonprofit with limited resources,it would have a major impact on our budget to change
all of our literature,flyers,stationary and our website.
Street names--while a quick way to honor someone — are more powerful than most people
realize. "They're not just ways of getting your mail delivered. People invest a great deal in
their street identity. Change a street name, and you change the way people think about their
city," Says Derek Alderman, an Last Carolina.University geographer who has studied the trend. "It's
where ideology meets asphalt."
We welcome efforts to honor the legacy of Cesar Chavez and educate those who visit our community,and
would be happy to explore renaming a street in our neighborhood that is not one of our two main streets.
An honorary street naming designation would also be quite appropriate(in Chicago,this is often a
technique used to honor individuals).The Main Street community would also be willing to raise and
invest resources into the Cesar E.Chavez Plaza,where we hold the majority of our community events, so
that it is more explicitly dedicated to education of the community about the legacy of Chavez and the
value we place in our community's diversity and heritage.
The Michigan Historic Preservation Network is opposed to changing the name of Grand River Avenue in
Old Town Lansing.Please feel free to contact me,should you have questions.
Sincerely yours,
Nancy M.Finegood
Executive Director
Michigan Historic Preservation Network
313.East Grand River Ave.,Lansing MI 48906
Old Town Marquee
319 East Grand River Avenue- Lansing, MI 48906
8-15-17
City of Lansing Memorial Review Board
Re, Renaming of Grand River Avenue
To whom it may concern;
I am writing to express my opposition to the renaming of Grand River Avenue in Old Town
Lansing permanently to Cesar Chavez Avenue. There are many reasons I object,and these have
been eloquently described in a letter from the Old Town Commercial Association(OTCA), and
which I wholeheartedly agree with.
As a business owner, and property owner on East Grand River Avenue I believe the change will
have a negative impact on my business. There will be costs involved in changing all of our
marketing materials, logos, business cards, websites to reflect the change. I am not aware of
any funds being offered by the Lansing for Chavez organization to cover these costs for my
business or any other. I think it presumptious to assume that small business owners are willing
and able to make these changes at the whim of a special interest group.
I am confused as to how the changing of a street name will have a significant positive impact on
the local community. Old Town is a very diverse neighborhood in it's current population, and
throughout history as Lansing's original permanent settlement. The identity of Old Town has
been built through a grassroots campaign that has been very successful! I remember Old Town
back in the 1990's, and wow! What a change there has been. The change has been made with
the help of people from all walks of life and ethnicitles, and the current name of"Old Town",
the heart of which is Grand River Avenue and Turner St. does not in anyway discriminate
against any group.
If there are other ideas to honor Cesar Chavez that would educate the community on his work
and impact on the lives of Latinos without burdening local business owners or changing the
neutral and welcoming spirit Old Town is currently known for, I would love to hear them!
Kindly,
K43W,,z " LW-oi,
Bethany Morton,Owner
Old Town Marquee
August 15, 2017
Subject: Renaming F. Grand River Ave.
To: The City of Lansing, the Mayor and Council:
Over 20+year ago myself, and a small group of friends, took the biggest financial risk of our
lives.........We bought and renovated the entire 100 block of F. Grand River Ave. This was all
done with personal savings, lots of hard work, sweat and perseverance. I still live in Old Town
to this day and it is my neighborhood.
Please consider:
Is the City willing to allow residents and stake-holder of Old Town the same opportunity
to choose the name of our existing public streets?
If yes:...then make no decision until you have an opportunity to compare all name
suggestions, and the City clearly communicates its petition requirements, and provides
transparency in decision making criteria.
If no:.......The City is denying the Old Town stake-holders an equal opportunity. is the
City's intent to force demands of a special interest group on other invested citizens?
Caser Chavez deserves special recognition, but changing street names is not the way. Please
find another method to commemorate Mr. Chavez, and please leave our street name as is.
Respectfully,
FRFD HAMMOND
111 I:. Grand River Ave.
Resident
Property Owner
Business Owner
Taxpayer
Dear Memorial Review Board,
I am writing on behalf of myself and Tom Arnold in response to the proposed Grand
River Avenue name change. We are vehemently opposed to a name change of any
sort.
Tom purchased his first building, in which we reside, in 1978. I have lived in Old Town
officially since 1994, f made my first visit to the neighborhood In 1983, well before it
was known as Old Town. We have seen the changes over the years. Changes made
by the hard work and sacrifice of building and business owners,
The proposed name change will cost us, our commercial tenants, The Nature
Conservancy, Ciesa Design, Spin Cycle and residential tenants a great deal of time,
money and business if the name of our street is changed.
Grand River is an historic name. Please do not jeopardize the success of our
neighborhood by changing the name.
Sincerely,
Mary Farr
Tom Arnold
202 Fast Grand River Avenue #2
Lansing MI 48906
Buildings Owned in Old Town:
200 East Grand River
202 East Grand River
204 East Grand River
206 East Grand River
101 East Grand River
1
SWANSON DESIGN STUDIOS
ARCHITECTURE DESIGN INTERIOR ARCH IT
18:15
City of Lansing
Memorial Review Board
I would like to introduce myself, I am Mary Swanson of Swanson Design Studios, Swanson
Design Studios is a professional corporation that started In Lansing, Michigan in 1996. We
bought 329 E. Grand River Ave. in 2005 and moved our company into the building. Our
building was built in 1929 as the Bank of Lansing. Upon moving into the heart of Old Town, I
began to see what Old Town is all about. It is a very diverse group of people and buildings. It
does not matter what the color of your skin is, where you are born, when you were born, who
you love, what your religion is, or even who you voted for. We support one another in
adversity, illness and celebrate the joyous times of marriage, children and graduation. We are
a community.
Hundreds of hours are donated by hundreds of people each year. I was the Chairman of the
OTCA Design Committee, and a Member of the Old Town Commercial Association Board of
Directors. I also volunteer for MICA festivals. Old Town does not just happen, many people
work to make it happen. I have watched many of my friends work hard at their business and
do all the right marketing and advertising, one woman even worked another job to support her
passion and it stilled failed. Working hard is the essence of Old Town. It does not mean we
are necessarily serious, it is the wacky collection of people I've ever known. It has a richness
that cannot be replicated.
Old Town seriously looked at the issues of honoring Caesar Chavez and I feel came up with a
fair working solution to honor him. Since that time I have not seen a great increase in activity
in Old Town from this group. I feel like we are being shamed into this. They so to speak have
no stake in this race. They have had ample opportunity to become involved and have chosen
not to.
I signed a petition and said I do not want the name changed,
do not wish to change my address.
Thank you for your careful consideration.
Sincerely,
Phi.(517)482-9039 • 329 EAST GRAND RIVER AVE, • LANSING,MICHIGAN 48906 • FAX(517k 482.9290
WWW.SWANSONDESIGN.COM
Mary Swanson
Swanson Design Studios
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August 14,2017
To whom it may concern:
We are writing as business owners with nearly two decades of volunteer service to Lansing's Old Town
neighborhood,to express our opposition to any proposal to rename Grand River Avenue, and our desire to
ensure an open,transparent,and inclusive process around any such proposal going forward.
As two former Presidents of the Old Town Commercial Association,we are proud of the consistent
demonstration of inclusivity in our neighborhood.We welcome and honor everyone here.We rally around
causes and roll up our sleeves together.
In 2010 when the Cesar Chavez committee requested Grand River's name be changed,we collaborated
with the committee to ensure they received honorary street signs and a renaming of Lot 56.An architect in
Old Town designed a stunning wrought iron archway for the entrance to Cesar Chavez plaza as a gift so we
could collaboratively raise funds to realize the visibility the plaza deserved. Recently,we have secured
matching grant money to turn a portion of the lot into a true plaza—to encourage people to gather.This
would be a prime location to continue to tell the Cesar Chavez story,To accomplish these goals;however,
we need collaboration and transparency.
The Cesar Chavez committee's campaign has been anything but transparent and inclusive. It is fraught with
misrepresentations and misunderstandings,with no effort to contact the vast majority of Old Town
property owners and no interest in holding a public meeting to hear the concerns of the members of our
community,even with invitations to do so.
Recently at a forum for City Council candidates, members of this group read a quote from Cesar Chavez,
"Preservation of one's own culture does not require contempt or disrespect for other cultures." I
completely agree.My fellow business and property owners want to honor the heritage of everyone in our
community, but not at the expense of our small economy.
This effort would demand significant expenditures on behalf of everyone in Old Town.As local
entrepreneurs,we depend on marketing our locations via print and digital, and a sudden change to our
local geography could create serious market confusion and damage our ongoing efforts to market our
small businesses. For my business alone,reprinting my marketing collateral is estimated at$5,000,This is
simply not in my budget,
To date,it is my understanding the Cesar Chavez committee is not offering to cover the costs of the street
name change and is asking for taxpayer money to do so.
I welcome efforts to honor the legacy of Cesar Chavez,as I supported the efforts seven years ago,and
would be happy to support alternative concepts.I am willing to invest my time to raise resources into
improve Cesar E, Chavez Plaza,where we hold the majority of our community events,so that it is more
explicitly dedicated to education of the community about the legacy of Chavez and the value we place in
our community's diversity and heritage.
I am firmly opposed not only to this proposal, but the manner in which it has been pursued, It currently
lacks transparency and collaboration, I strongly desire a change of direction in this process,so that
everyone in Old Town can be included in this important decision that affects all of us.
Sincerely yours,
Karen Stefl& David A.Such
Owners
Such Video, Inc.
Zuchowski, Monica
From: Rhea VanAtta <rhea@oldtown-generalstore.com>
Sent: Monday, August 14, 2017 9:59 AM
To: Clerk, City
Subject: Cesar Chavez/Grand River renaming
August 15, 2017
To whom it may concern:
We are writing as residents, business owners, landlords, and tenants of Lansing's Old
Town neighborhood, to express our opposition to any proposal to rename Grand River,
and our desire to ensure an open, transparent, and inclusive process around any such
proposal going forward.
The existing process has been anything but transparent and inclusive. News of it has
spread by word of mouth, and there has been little effort by the members of this group
to engage any members of our community. This campaign seems to be fueled by
deliberate misrepresentations and misunderstandings, with no effort to contact the vast
majority of Old Town property owners and no interest in holding a public meeting to
hear the concerns of the members of our community.
We love Old Town because of its rich and diverse heritage, and we celebrate this
throughout the year with a number of community events and festivals: Michigan Pride,
Lansing JazzFest, Old Town BluesFest, Oktoberfest, and so many more. We welcome and
honor everyone here.
Recently at a forum for City Council candidates, members of this group read a quote
from Cesar Chavez: preservation of one's own culture does not require contempt or
disrespect for other cultures. We could not agree more, and that is exactly our point. We
want to honor the heritage of everyone in our community, but not at the expense of
others.
i
This effort would demand significant expenditures on behalf f everyone i Old T g p h o y n 0 own. As
local entrepreneurs, we depend on marketing our locations, and a sudden change to our
local geography, done quietly and without involvement or input of members of the
community, could do serious damage to our ongoing efforts to market our small
businesses,
We welcome efforts to honor the legacy of Cesar Chavez and educate those who visit
our community, and would be happy to explore renaming a street in our neighborhood
that is not one of our two main streets. We would also be willing to raise and invest
resources into the Cesar E. Chavez Plaza, where we hold the majority of our community
events, so that it is more explicitly dedicated to education of the community about the
legacy of Chavez and the value we place in our community's diversity and heritage.
i
We are firmly opposed to not only this proposal, but the secret and rushed way it has
been pursued. We strongly desire a change of direction in this process, so that everyone
in Old Town can be included in this important decision that affects all of us.
Sincerely yours,
Rhea Van Atta
Owner-Old Town General Store
408 East Grand River Avenue
Lansing, MI 48906
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August 12,2017
Memorial Review Board
Lansing, MI
Members,
I am writing you today to articulate my opposition to renaming Grand River Avenue. It is my
AFV
understanding that there is a proposal at hand for a "permanent and exclusive" renaming to
Cesar E. Chavez Avenue.
Redhead Deaign Studio
1135 North Washington Avenue
Lansing,Mi 48906 My small business,Redhead Design Studio,is located at 1135 N. Washington Avenue. We have
(p)517-853-3681 been in this location around four and a half years. Previously,Redhead was located at 408 East
(f)517-853-3684 Grand River.We bought that building in 2004.The windows were boarded up, the paint was
virtualredhead.com peeling,the roof leaked.The property next door(which would eventually become Preuss Pets)
was vacant. But my husband and I rehabbed the space. He spent hours restoring the original
tin ceiling. We replaced the boarded up windows. We replaced the roof. We had two small kids
at the time,and while my business was doing ok,it's not a stretch to say that the move to Old
Town was a leap of faith and a labor of love. We were broke and we worked hard to bring back
that space. (Fast forward a decade and the building is now in better hands with Rhea VanAtta,
who was able to brig the courtyard back to life,and Improve on the property even more.)
So,in 2010,we were Grand River Avenue residents when the topic of renaming the road came
up. I was panicked at the thought of the expense of a name change. It was a real fear for us---
our business was doing well,but only because we planned carefully for expenses.At that time,
we budgeted our expenses for changing the address on all of our materials,should we be forced
to,at roughly$3,000—$4,500. If you would like to see a breakdown to understand that cost,
please let me know.To put it in perspective,$3,000 would pay a part-time employee$10.00/
hour for 300 hours. It would buy more than 17 credit hours at Lansing Community College for
my son. it would have paid the mortgage on 408 East Grand River for three months.
But that was not the only reason I was upset by the name change.And,though Redhead no
longer resides on Grand River Avenue,the remaining reasons are still pertinent for me.
Let me tell you a real-life story that illustrates my point.
My youngest son is nine. He has taken his time enjoying and learning to read. Last fall,at eight
years old and in third grade,he was waiting for me as I closed up the office. He was just getting
to the point where he recognized language in our daily environment,and he was trying to sound
out the street signs on our corner.
He first landed on Washington familiar from school—and said, "That was a president." Then
he read Grand River Avenue,and tried to sound out Cesar E.Chavez Avenue. He needed help on
that one.
Then,he asked why there were two signs for one street.
I explained to him who CAsar E. Chavez was—a civil rights activist who thought it was important
that everyone was treated equally,an advocate for fair labor practices. He even visited Lansing
a few times. And I explained to him what Grand River Avenue was—originally an Indian trail,then
eventually a plank road that pioneers used to settle Michigan. It runs across our whole state,
from Detroit to Grand Rapids.And in fact,that bridge a block away was the very first bridge
constructed over the Grand River. This street was one of the very first settlements that made
our city.
explained that both stories are important,which is why we have two signs.
NVI tell you this to illustrate the crux of my opposition to the "exclusive" renaming of Grand River.
Redhead Deaign Studio Why would we exclude the story of Grand River Avenue from this space that has enjoyed a
1135 North Washington Avenue multitude of settlers,cultures,and stories?
Lansing,MI 48906
(p)517-853-3681
(f)517-853-3684 Why would we replace one important history with another when we can be inclusive and keep
virtuaI redhead,corn
both narratives?
Throughout this letter, I have emphasized the word "exclusive" because those are words
published by proponents of this change. I would be remiss if I did not mention that my
experience of Old Town has been one of inclusion.Where all people—entrepreneurs,artists,
Latinos,the gay community,truly anyone who wants to participate—is welcomed and celebrated,
I am saddened by the word "exclusive" because it is not what Old Town is about, nor is the
sentiment one of collaboration and compromise.
The existing solution is an "and" solution. We get to retain the long history of Grand River
Avenue itself,AND celebrate a civil rights leader. This is a logical and effective solution in a
neighborhood that has many histories to celebrate.
Throughout the country,schools,streets,parks and libraries have been named after Chavez.
Some states have even designated March 31 as Cesar Chavez Day. It Is clear that an exclusive
renaming of Grand River Avenue is not the only way to honor an individual, nor accomplish the
goal of Increased awareness, particularly when there are compelling reasons not to change this
particular street name.
Please support the existing solution,which is one of compromise and inclusion. I urge members
to retain the name of Grand River Avenue,and reject the "permanent and exclusive" renaming
to Cesar E. Chavez Avenue.
Regards,
Jennifer Estill
October Moon
119 East Grand River August 14, 2017
Ave.
Lansing, MI 48906
517-484-4100
octobermoon@me.com
Memorial Review Board
Lansing City Clerk's Office
124 W. Michigan Ave
Ninth Floor,City Hall
Lansing MI 48933-1695
city,clerk@ lans i n g m i,goy
Dear Memorial Review Board,
I am writing you today to communicate my opposition to the renaming of Grand
River Avenue.
I am the owner of October Moon, located at 119 East Grand River Avenue. I have
been at this location for nine years, previously my store was located at 1209 Turner
Street for seven years,totaling 15 years of being a small business owner in Old
Town. Moving just around the corner, I have an unique insight, knowing what
happens to a retail business when an address change happens. It's costly and
confusing -even when well planned, a hardship that can put you out of business
quickly.
When my business doors opened 15 years ago,Old Town did not look like it does
today. Reported crime and unreported crime was high. Even though the area was
considered"rough"and "risky", It was love at first sight.
I saved my pennies for years. Prior to opening my store, I worked as a waitress and
bartender. I worked for eight years and worked double shifts often,to save, with
hopes to be able to make an investment in Old Town.After much work,sacrifice,
and saving, I was able to put all my money and money I didn't have, Into Old Town,
a place that people urged me not to invest in. My store was born.
For fifteen years this is what I see in Old Town. Minorities. I'm one of them- I'm a
woman. I am a single parent, mothering two sons. I have worn both of my sons on
the front of me,while working in my store. Most of Old Town small businesses are
run by women, homosexuals and/or people of color-diverse in how we look,think
and cultural roots.What we do have in common is our desire to make a living,
respect and protect our neighborhood, and honor those that paved our way.To
make this happen, we have invested our money, time and heart.
Old Town is identified by Turner/Grand River. It has been marketed, and branded for
over twenty years for identification. Now that the investment, mostly by minority
business owners has happened,financially-it is the wrong time to rename a major
historical street name. It would cost my business approximately fifteen thousand
dollars to change the printed and online materials/sources. However, as I mentioned
before, having a prior address change, I am aware that the real cost of address
change comes from people not being able to find you,for years.This loss of
revenue is the higher cost. I am just one business in Old Town.Over fifty businesses
and nonprofits would negatively financially be affected by the change.
Even though the change of street name would be a huge cost, mostly to minority
business owners. I am also against it due to it stripping the native american heritage
from our community and state. I grew up in Fairbanks,Alaska prior to moving to
Michigan several decades ago. I saw first hand culture"white washing". In this
particular case there are similarities-Replacing one culture,with another.
Old Town is a beautiful melting pot of many cultures. Not only cultures of race, but
also the celebration of minorities-women and gays. Old Town is inclusive, it
welcomes all. Keeping the name,as is, honors all, best.
I would also like to note my disappointment in Lansing Chavez Group.
Seven years ago when the Lansing Chavez group petitioned to change the name of
Grand River,the compromise was honorary street name changes(which city tax
dollars paid for)and the name change for the festival plaza.The archway that was
promised by the Lansing Chavez Group never appeared, and neither did the
committee. Instead, the current members of the Old Town community have been
caring for the plaza, planting, maintaining, and even installing public art and a
playground.We were told by the Chavez Group that is was too expensive for them
to build the archway, and fundraising was too hard.We offered to assist by
partnering in fundraising.We were told they weren't interested in partnering, but we
could do it for them.
We,the Old Town community,did not even know about the current name change
until the end of June/July of this year,when we started hearing of a petition;which
many of us have never seen.After inquiry,the few people from our neighborhood
that signed,said they were mislead or told it was something else. When that was
brought up to Lansing Chavez group they made it clear,they didn't care about the
confusion of the information and collection of signatures.We have asked several
times to see a copy of the petition and have been denied.
This is disheartening and fraud.
I feel strongly before any consideration, or any additional compromises are given to
the Lansing Chavez Group,the past promises should be met.
Currently,the group has made it clear that they will not fulfill that past promise, help
pay for any of what they are asking for or care to involve themselves with the
community to who this effects.This is wrong.
Simply put,it is wrong to wipe away history and negatively impose financial hardship
to a community that already struggles.
With all this said. I believe that honoring Chavez is an excellent idea.A street name
seems to lack the creativity that I think is deserved to such a positive historical
figure, such as Chavez; however, if that Is the only choice, I would recommend
locating a street that doesn't already have historical value and one that the current
community hasn't already heavily invested in.
Besides the current promised archway, I would love to see a relevant community
connection-such as the farmers market or community garden program. I would
also love to see Dolores Huerta be honored as well.Too often,we forget to
celebrate our strong women of color.
Sincerely yours,
Aura Ozburn
Zuchowski, Monica
From: Mother and Earth Baby Boutique <motherandearthbb@gmail.com>
Sent: Tuesday, August 15, 2017 3:15 PM
To: Clerk, City
Subject: Grand River Renaming
Attachments: Chavez Letter.pdf
August 14, 2017
Memorial Review Board Members,
I moved my business to Old Town Lansing in September of 2014. We were immediately welcomed by so
many, it felt like a mix of Mr. Rogers Neighborhood and Cheers. To'get more involved in the community, I
volunteered for the Old Town Design Committee. l have since become the chair of that committee. I had no
idea the amount of volunteerism that had to happen to make Old Town what it is! It is truly amazing the work
that gets completed considering many of us own businesses in Old Town or have other full time jobs, not to
mention families, sports, and other very busy schedules. However, we all manage to come together and make
thing happen. It's a beautiful thing to be a part of.
When I was approached about the name change, I signed the petition. At the time, I did not consider the cost
or ramifications it would have on my business and even more so the businesses on Grand River in Old Town.
After I learned more, I contacted the Lansing for Cesar Chavez group as well as City Council to make it known
I would like my name/signature retracted. I was devastated the next morning to find a very disturbing post on
my personal Facebook page. A member of the Chavez group commented on a public post I made promoting a
breastfeeding support event that we put on every year. Part of it read "Your email was more heard around our
community then you think and your event and business will not be supported by myself and many others. This
is a shame because women need more presence in our community but thanks to your lack of ability to read
and comprehend what your were signing, you have placed yourself under this light. And to that I will leave this
here."At first I had no idea what this post was about, then I saw that the same person had tagged me in the
public group "Lansing for Cesar E. Chavez". She posted not only the contents of my email but also included all
my contact and business information.
To my knowledge, aside from the initial signing of the petition and attempted defamation, I have never seen,
met, or worked with any of the people in their group. I am surprised to see that there is a group people so
passionate about changing a street in Old Town when I don't see them volunteering or working in the area. I
would have assumed that this group would have come to one of the public Design Committee meetings or a
board meeting to see how we can work together or how their goals might align with what we have in place.
This never happened. I don't understand what changing a street name.would accomplish. Cesar Chavez's
name is prominently posted in so many great places in Old Town. If education is the purpose, there are
certainly better ways to accomplish that. From what I have learned, Chavez would not support something like
this that would hurt the small businesses. It is hard to own/run a small business, I have 6 families that depend
on a paycheck from my store. Growing pains are constantly affecting us, cash flow is so tight. I can't imagine
losing a sale or a customer because they got confused by the road or directions to get to us. If the name
change is approved, let's say 1-2 times a week a potential customer can't find us because they got confused or
directions were misleading because of the name change. If that customer were an average customer I lose
$50 just from that sale, if that customer was an expectant mom that might have registered with us, I lose $1500
minimum. Obviously, this would have a ripple effect- they tell their friend they couldn't find us or got lost, their
friend doesn't bother to try. This could be devastating to our business, the difference in those sales could
account for an additional team member or the loss of one. This does not even take into account the costs of
reprinting maps, literature, and promotional materials that my friends, fellow business owners, and the Old
Town Commercial Association would have to endure.
i
The Chavez committee should be ashamed of the hurtful words and actions that have come from some of their
members; they have tried to disgrace the names of a number of great people that give their heart to and care
so much about this community.
I am firmly opposed to not only this proposal, but the way that the Chavez group have handled this situation.
We are an all inclusive community and would welcome a conversation on how we can move forward to
accomplish new goals.
Thank you for your time,
Lynn Ross
Owner,Mother&Earth Baby Boutique
Socially Responsible Entrepreneur of the Year (2o17)
www.MotherandEarth.com 1517.721.1868
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' August 14,2017
a j �
- � Memorial Review Board Members,
On behalf of the Old Town Commercial Association(OTCA), the sole nonprofit dedicated
Lan Turner Street to the revitalization of Lansing's historic Old Town district;please accept our comment
Lansing, MI 48go6 regarding the"permanent and exclusive"renaming of the Grand River Avenue to Cesar E.
P:53.7.485.4i83 Chavez Avenue.We request that you retain the existing solution,which both retains the
F:517:827.5487 significant name of Grand River Avenue,and also honors Cesar E. Chavez.This solution
www.iloveoldtown.org was agreed to by both the local Old Town community and the Latino community after
collaborative discussions in 2010,and has been an effective compromise for all parties.
OTCA Board Members The OTCA Board of Directors is only providing an opinion because we were refused the
opportunity to come together as neighbors and a community this to find ways to
Jamie Schriner, President collaborate before the recent petition was submitted.We have repeatedly requested the
CEDAM opportunity to work together to honor Mr.Chavez and find a compromise that works for
Rick Preuss,Vice President all stakeholders,but have been repeatedly denied that opportunity.Because Lansing for
Preuss Pets Cesar Chavez refuses to work and meet with the Old Town community as a whole—
including business owners,property owners,neighbors,volunteers and all community
Ben Dowd,Treasurer stakeholders—we must oppose this permanent and exclusive renaming of Grand River.
DART Bank
Cesar Chavez said"Preservation of one's own culture does not requite contempt or
Ariana Gibbs, Secretary disrespect for other cultures."Old Town and Grand River Avenue have a rich and diverse
Karma Construction history that includes Native Americans,Germans,the Latino community,the LGBTQ
Sarah Christiansen, At-Large community,artists,the Jewish community and more. Grand Rivet Avenue,or US-16,first
Katalyst Gallery started as a part of several Native American trails in the Lower Peninsula and now runs
from Detroit to Muskegon,actually crossing the Grand River in Old Town Lansing. Chief
Mike Bass, Director Okemos had his gardens along the banks of the Grand River in Old Town.Those gardens
Friedland Industries would later become sugar beet fields,which were worked by many migrant workers and
Ben Rathbun, Director members of the Latino community,leading to Old Town's strong Hispanic heritage.We
Rathbun lnsurance were also home to Lansing's first European settlements,including the first school,hotel and
more. Old'T'own,then known as North Lansing,also has a large German and Dutch
Summer Schriner, Director Grace Boutique heritage,with many breweries including the original Lansing Brew mgCompany' the
Liedetkranz Club (German Chub) and even church services being held in German until
Shannon Murphy, Director 2009. Old Town has also welcomed many members of the Jewish community.Friedland
M Llve Industries, our oldest business,started with David Ftiedland trading with horse and cart
because he wouldn't be hired by anyone in the community due to being Jewish.Since 1886,
Jackson National
nal Life
Neal os Director Friedland has hired members of many different communities who have been discriminated
N
against simply because of their religious background,race or heritage,starting Old'T'own's
welcoming foundation.Old Town has also been a home for the LGBTQ community with
Lansing's oldest gay bar and having been home to many businesses that have catered to the
Our Mission: ^
To maintain a vibrant business community in
Lansing's historic Old Town district providing im
services and opportunities that foster economic
growth and community engagement.
LGBTQ community.We have based our most recent revitalization on the arts,with artists from all
backgrounds coming into the neighborhood for the last 25 years.We pride ourselves on being a welcoming
community for all who arrive.
We celebrate our heritage in a variety of ways,although out most favorite way is with festivals and special
events. Old Town is home to Old Town Oktoberfest,PRIDE,ArtFeast,Blues and Jazzfest,ScrapFest,Chalk
of the Town,Renegade Theatre Festival,Arts Night Out and more.We are currently working to install a
permanent,covered performance stage in Chavez Plaza,which would be open to everyone in the community
and help to create even more education and art opportunities in the historic district;we believe this would be
a great opportunity to work with the Lansing for Cesar Chavez group to revive their Tejano festival.
Grand River already has its own history and heritage;we do not believe we should cover it up to honor
another history and heritage.When perhaps Old Town's most visible local pioneer,Robert Busby,tragically
passed in 2007,the Grand River Bridge was renamed and we created a memorial garden in his honor.We saw
this as a great opportunity to create a new,beautiful and fitting tribute to a great man in our community—not
to cover up an existing history.We believe this should also be the case with Cesar Chavez and would love the
opportunity to partner as neighbors and community members with the Lansing for Cesar Chavez group to
make this happen.
In 1996, the Old Town Commercial Association was created by community stakeholders and North Lansing
was branded as"Old Town"—always at the heart of Turner and Grand River.For more than 20 years,the
OTCA,a small nonprofit that has never had more than two paid staff members and has not received funding
from the City of Lansing for years,has tried to pull together funding in any way possible to market and brand
the neighborhood—often through the generous donations of neighbors,friends and any resources it can find.
Grand River and Turner has always been at the heart of that marketing.To suddenly need to make a change
of that magnitude would be an expense the OTCA does not have the resources to bear.The many businesses
in Old Town are very much like the OTCA with the owner being the primary employee.These business
owners are incredible.They not only work to make their businesses successful, they work to make their
community successful.The hard costs (business cards,marketing materials,signage,websites,licenses,etc.)
for changing the addresses for these businesses range from$500 to$3,500 per business—not including the
time to change addresses with vendors and customers or any lost revenue due to customer confusion.This
change will impact more than 75 businesses—totaling more than$30,000 on the low end and$260,000 on the
high end--not including the cost to the City to change the signage.To date,we know of no resources to help
with these changes from the City,the Lansing Chamber of Commerce,Lansing for Cesar Chavez or others
and we have been checking).In addition to the individual businesses not leaving the resources to pay for this
change,the OTCA does not have the resources to work with the many mapping aPps to update the street
name and alleviate confusion for Old Town's patrons.
In 2010,members of Lansing for Cesar Chavez first proposed to the Old Town community the idea of
renaming Grand River Avenue to Cesar Chavez.Avenue.At that time,many issues were discussed,including
those written above.We had the opportunity to come together as a community and neighbors to talk,listen
and learn from each other.Promises were made by the OTCA and Lansing for Cesar Chavez group to work
together to honor a great man through improving City Lot 56 by creating Chavez Plaza and the honorary
renaming of Grand River Avenue,negating the costs and confusion for small businesses.The community is
still waiting for the installation of the archway over the entrance to Chavez Plaza.Old Town volunteers
continue to maintain the flowerbeds and hold festivals and special events,as well as install public art in the
plaza,including starting the process of creating the public performance stage,but have not had any
participation from the Lansing for Cesar Chavez group since shortly after the renaming of the street and
plaza.We respectfully request that the review board stand by the agreements we made together as a
commi.mity in 2010 and give the entire community the opportunity to work together,rather than impose this
one specific change on the community—overlooking our existing history and heritage.
Sincerely,
The Old Town Commercial Association Board of Directors
CC:Lansing City Council
August 15,2017
To whom it may concern:
We are writing as residents,business owners, landlords, and tenants of Lansing's Old Town neighbor-
hood,to express our opposition to any proposal to rename Grand River, and our desire to ensure an open,
transparent,and inclusive process around any such proposal going forward.
The existing process has been anything but transparent and inclusive.News of it has spread by word of
mouth, and there has been little effort by the members of this group to engage any members of our com-
munity. This campaign seems to be fueled by deliberate misrepresentations and misunderstandings, with
no effort to contact the vast majority of Old Town property owners and no interest in holding a public
meeting to hear the concerns of the members of our community.
We love Old Town because of its rich and diverse heritage, and we celebrate this throughout the year with
a number of community events and festivals: Michigan Pride,Lansing JazzFest, Old Town B1uesFest,
Oktoberfest, and so many more. We welcome and honor everyone here.
Recently at a forum for City Council candidates,members of this group read a quote from Cesar Chavez:
preservation of one's own culture does not require contempt or disrespect for other cultures. We could not
agree more, and that is exactly our point. We want to honor the heritage of everyone in our community,
but not at the expense of others.
This effort would demand significant expenditures on behalf of everyone in Old Town. As local entrepre-
neurs,we depend on marketing our locations,and a sudden change to our local geography, done quietly
and without involvement or input of members of the community, could do serious damage to our ongoing
efforts to market our small businesses.
We welcome efforts to honor the legacy of Cesar Chavez and educate those who visit our community, and
would be happy to explore renaming a street in our neighborhood that is not one of our two main streets.
We would also be willing to raise and invest resources into the Cesar E. Chavez Plaza, where we hold the
majority of our community events,so that it is more explicitly dedicated to education of the community
about the legacy of Chavez and the value we place in our community's diversity and heritage.
We are firmly opposed to not only this proposal, but the secret and rushed way it has been pursued. We
strongly desire a change of direction in this process, so that everyone in Old Town can be included in this
important decision that affects all of us.
Sincerely yours,
AVEA
August 15, 2017
To whom it may concern:
We are writing as residents, business owners, landlords, and tenants of Lansing's Old Town neighbor-
hood,to express our opposition to any proposal to rename Grand River, and our desire to ensure an open,
transparent, and inclusive process around any such proposal going forward.
The existing process has been anything but transparent and inclusive.News of it has spread by word of
mouth, and there has been little effort by the members of this group to engage any members of our com-
munity. This campaign seems to be fueled by deliberate misrepresentations and misunderstandings,with
no effort to contact the vast majority of Old Town properly owners and no interest in holding a public
meeting to hear the concerns of the members of our community.
We love Old Town because of its rich and diverse heritage, and we celebrate this throughout the year with
a number of community events and festivals: Michigan Pride,Lansing JazzFest,Old Town BluesFest,
Oktoberfest, and so many more. We welcome and honor everyone here.
Recently at a forum for City Council candidates,members of this group read a quote from Cesar Chavez:
preservation of one's own culture does not require contempt or disrespect for other cultures. We could not
agree more, and that is exactly our point. We want to honor the heritage of everyone in our community,
but not at the expense of others.
This effort would demand significant expenditures on behalf of everyone in Old Town. As local entrepre-
neurs,we depend on marketing our locations,and a sudden change to our local geography, done quietly
and without involvement or input of members of the community, could do serious damage to our ongoing
efforts to market our small businesses.
We welcome efforts to honor the legacy of Cesar Chavez and educate those who visit our community, and
would be happy to explore renaming a street in our neighborhood that is not one of our two main streets.
We would also be willing to raise and invest resources into the Cesar E. Chavez Plaza,where we hold the
majority of our community events, so that it is more explicitly dedicated to education of the community
about the legacy of Chavez and the value we place in our community's diversity and heritage.
We are firmly opposed to not only this proposal,but the secret and rushed way it has been pursued. We
strongly desire a change of direction in this process, so that everyone in Old Town can be included in this
important decision that affects all of us.
Sincerely yours,