Parking lot to pop art? Neighborhood needs your help

Eric Lacy | Lansing State Journal

LANSING -- Part of a pothole-ridden parking lot next to a southwest Lansing strip mall and grocery store is expected to undergo a transformation that will make it an appealing community space.

But for that to happen, landscape architects, local artists and city officials need your help.

On Thursday evening, the public is invited to attend an event to help brainstorm the design of a proposed town square at Pleasant Grove and Holmes roads. The event, called a charrette, will be held at Samsmooth Dance Studio from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Revan Herfy, 30, owns the 1910 Market just north of the parking lot and has seen some renderings for the proposed town square. The efforts to improve the area reinforce his belief that southwest Lansing is a good place to invest.

Herfy drives five to six days a week from his home in Farmington Hills to operate the Lansing market, which offers meat and fresh produce.

“Any positive addition to southwest Lansing creates a positive atmosphere," Herfy said. "And it basically gives a business a better shot to be stronger and stay a longer period of time."

The project was chosen from more than 15 proposals and is part of the city's Arts Impact Project program administered by the Lansing Economic Area Partnership and Arts Council of Greater Lansing.

Several proposed renderings for the project at Holmes and Pleasant Grove are expected to be presented at Thursday's event to stimulate conversation.

At-Large City Council Member Kathie Dunbar describes the project as a depaving effort that will create an inviting park-like atmosphere.

An 80-foot by 100-foot chunk of parking lot at the corner could be replaced with trees, decorative lighting and benches.

"We're going to make it walkable. We're going to fill the potholes. We're going to make it a place where people want to be," Dunbar said at Monday night's City Council meeting. "Positive use discourages negative use."

The art element of the project is expected to receive up to $75,000 from the City of Lansing for planning and implementation. Two local artists, David Such and Fred Hammond, will be responsible for the design and construction.

"I’m trying to get to the core of what’s the future," said Such, a 64-year-old native of Lansing's Westside Neighborhood. "If they had a dream what it would be? I’m trying to look beyond that corner, more of a starting point. It could be a starting point for everybody.”

Several themes have already popped up in conversations with residents and neighborhood leaders, including diversity and inclusiveness.

Once a concept is created, Such said, he and Hammond could have something completed in eight to 12 weeks. He hopes the entire town square project is finished before snow starts to fall this year.

For more information about the project call the South Lansing Community Development Association at (517) 374-5700.

Eric Lacy is a reporter for the Lansing State Journal. Contact him at 517-377-1206 or elacy@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @EricLacy.

Help design a new town square

A charrette meant to help brainstorm the design of a new town square in southwest Lansing will be held from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Samsmooth Dance Studio, 3434 Pleasant Grove. Free food will be served at 6 p.m.