HomeMy WebLinkAboutsupport more MICHIGAN HISTORIC
PRESERVATION
NETWORK
August 15,2017 IDN �? • '
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 313 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 Derck Alderman, an l:;ast 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 feet free to contact me, should you have questions.
Sincerely yours, �y
Nancy M.1~inegood
Executive Director
Michigan Historic Preservation Network
313 East Grand River Ave.,Lansing Ml 48906
Jamie Schriner
Old Town Jtun'te,Uk,
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 long-time
community stakeholder.I ask you to honor the commitment 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 name change.
In 1997,I moved to Lansing;shortly thereafter,I bought my very first house in Old Town at 916 North
Walnut,which began my love of the community.Along with my sister,I would walk rimy dog to'fate's Freeze,
now the Arctic Corner,to get ice cream and walk 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 900/0 vacancy
rate at that point,there was an unbelievable spirit and ctui-do attitude in the community that resonates today.
This 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'I'own a better.
place. Fellow volunteers in Old Town have become friends and fantily.-My family has literally set up business
in Old Town as well as made it their home.I have been lucky enough to at tunes make Old Town my career,
being the Executive Director of the OTCA from 2005 through 2009,so I know exactly what it takes to brand
the community and organize volunteers.It is not easy nor is it cheap.I fear that if you iixrpose this on Old
1'own,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 ninny other things that 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 amen!des Nvill not be covered,which will further cause tine
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 Lansing 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 beautiful 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.The best part was going to be all of dhe
new volunteers in the community celebrating Mt. 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 Lansing for
Caesar 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".Gown 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 conamittee..And,the
worst was when I learned about the proposed permanent renaming.I asked if we could first work together as
a community to finish the arch to do 6omethhag 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."This 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 comnnitments that
were made in.2010.1 also stand ready to assist with the arch and would love to work with the committee to
retinme the River 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 runny 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 connuunity and Lansing for Cesar Chavez committee to join me to make Oki Town.
Thank you in advance for your consideration,
Jamie Schriner
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:
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. lam 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.
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 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 ethnicities, 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,
Bethany Morton, Owner
Old Town Marquee
August 15, 2017
Subject: Renaming E. 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 E. 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,
FRED HAMMOND
111 E 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. 1 have lived in Old Town
officially since 1994. 1 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
SWANSON DESIGN STUDIOS
ARCHITECTURE DESIGN INTERIOR ARCHITECTURE
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.
I do not wish to change my address.
Thank you for your careful consideration.
Sincerely,
PH,(517)482-9039 329 EAST GRAND RIVER AVE. . LANSING,MICHIGAN 48906 . FAX(517)482.-9290
WWW.SWANSONDESIGN.COM
Mary Swanson
Swanson Design Studios
�Ti
4 Try L F T•7.4k` f+, a�ryh f]5 Q L i s7 '+�{Yjf�A, t• 4r' -
i�z r�f£t3P4�p1K Y°gab� l y h
I sl
;� �IL�... r 3. r a s zt�w fz•
rt a' �4fgy IA"' tf` .jti' . `}>`r `tl��c� C �;: !'fir I+t 5f`s w
tf s 5'� t» 1 7t�r2_Far - .+ Mi 1 i _i e i'' Pf `•3
•4•c s SJ�I '�. tk? t s3 ktli yY ,Yt•i '";`.�, v?'
t F S Fsa ( a x"' r t �` 2 a 7'`�f( Jr S v�rti fr�f i a MS t SA.� R•
1 y� S Rw J tv'-'1?n3,f x'Y t.4 0 a, t z+ "
iSsh
id.
,y ar'F� k Il' +f 4 F ' 1. Ste'h 4 F�-:�va�?h`+ ."v.5 ti R s3 3 Ys z'•tf
;4st � � k�t � ybyi� e�tck�k�Sig
5i_ 1r$' 'r a7ys,�y4 � a � ss rr tt�u• �3 '` zu t- �`x, ';
'��y� `g:s'7 3's�i( L.�e Riez'i+ts;G�t+ 1'�' 5?(!p j �� s �" tCit iyx't1ri+,sYr .s ,"(
A`•'�ifye�"''"i'�t, ➢# " •T °Y
a`S�t 'i4SS��L'i 7;5� s�"31fak.E%• ,S�3•'°'""r
�Rx(i7�z,{� ..R a i��Ah`�-e �5,#>a`, f rv#.�t�3+S s f �,� y j J �{.a} L}f , 4� ��¢�� �a.
yt, a a`••,rsl i may, 'i s i r a"� .Xy y ;-P �t ti as$ .
xf 'ij .( ( j. �i�i?51+.+•,.wily a s ;sEYj .}ms—
',!, v` 4,a�,
S7y.,1,7mS,'St'4/Su yi.'iT�i•'' Z�y�t �} {i F vt �i F"l l s t p t r z .Jr. 'I ors R> re i,fiyS"`F Si y�r,
LP1 k SE f'Jig 1 ?4 1 Y� �5 r hf lr+•y
T x Y �. E '1 s t �{ .ri gr . Y'Y' ' # `A.^zj�}•u 't�+'
'F �4-R fr,y � x�. a sri 1 r �, �rat� �t '�' .1xF exit i� .cE� C 3 tY4 >at�
'aas 'i' 1# w,•v.Rol
' C,(rl'r
yeiFl is�:' K fC3 s3 b�t,i �, e{ ttH !Y N �L� d+rf C it 1 f Y3� SLi (2
�tva�s }r�'
} �yAyd r a. ztri.: p s �i e t �: al�;s.n'' Ny f�'
+i`ZHk"3 Rr 't$H x255,�s�'A aG a� YS `R' +u(J;�.1 `1a'i,F SY �,
' '��R+'l�" .kY^-� � 55;; k 4 E}1' 4> 3-F.t 3i'Yi�4 {A�`1 S.�.F•?6 it.;:31 4 ''ti '41,Y Y��` 1 $,±�'s, Yt._'"t.}
ro -'gyp �'C"'.,p
E .-#°�"' a " S 1it*` a `7t t< }z- k's >3 l fi•+.32t d� rty'4>t'7``yE3-aY s < rs}cd
f `�
'i 55 a"X `Y 4� tea y _ �pyitr� 5 �' h # 2 tys �g
.,. i`'u,`` dt st�, sr r 1 s i + 1�'tf a, .z yz ytiq r a''r �i'S x �rrai�' `�• "tt
r r / `a'ia3i-ta r ti b 1
et,�=- ^,'S5 �FF, �y <r
``mot ,,, �;u"c s. z� `i
u �y� �' ���x-7�.3 a�gr�'i� �„M.'}' ,s'h�a 3 '' -�'r�•s'�;, - 7 YA-iA a R.e,
r't-y
•s if ca. : �c S3r�st_ba .,�..$as4�o';,s i r 4ch.�' 2ki a S ex. ��.�.
a`}. jai � Y t h '+Mo- rt+'•-. „?2 3 •e t i9 Y+a -�
-` � +-0 5ts i�'',frr c• 'Y ; d �t '� •1'a+?gk�t� ti p(;J .y?f` ,�
i :Tu h _ i
f rF
low
inn
y�� ea.. ,fJ•.. �
Vyi :. ��I$11111
,M-.
a. .
M
r toll" °•'
fa,
P