This plan may revitalize City Market, Lansing's riverfront

LANSING - City officials have decided to change the Lansing City Market's focus this summer in an effort to draw more people on weekdays.

Officials said Wednesday food vendors, local musicians and recreation opportunities like guided paddle instruction and yoga classes will create a "Grand Experience" from now until the end of August.

Plans this week call for a rotating schedule of food trucks, music acts and recreation activities at the market and along the Lansing River Trail from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

A weekly schedule of offerings held weekday afternoons and evenings through August is posted on the market's website, lansingcitymarket.com/event/grand.

"Other communities are activating urban spaces in this way, and our riverfront is a key asset and great place for us to invest as well," said Bob Trezise, president and CEO of the Lansing Economic Area Partnership, in a statement. "The Grand Experience is a way to connect downtown employees and residents with what Lansing has to offer.”

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Melanie Pratt, co-owner of the HQ Vigilante food truck, told the State Journal Wednesday afternoon at least 300 people attended that day's Grand Experience kickoff event at the market.

Of that group, Pratt said at least 100 bought items from the food truck she owns with Stephen Pratt, her husband.

The Pratts are Army veterans who live in Owosso and specialize in what they like to call "southern fusion." They expect to sell items at the market every Wednesday through August.

"I think this is amazing because I want to be part of Lansing," Melanie Pratt said of the Grand Experience plans. "I just wasn't sure how to get involved. I'm just kind of blown away by (the initial response)."

HQ Vigilante's food ranges in price from $2 for an all-beef hot dog to $10 for a combination meal. The couple specializes in comfort foot, including pulled pork, chicken and cole slaw.

They take pride in their healthy approach to cooking.

"We don't believe in soaking something in grease and calling it good," Melanie Pratt said.

City officials have struggled for several years to keep vendors at the market and draw more foot traffic.

The market is owned by the city, but managed by the Lansing Entertainment & Public Facilities Authority.

City Council voted unanimously last month to cut the city's annual subsidy for the market from $80,000 to $40,000.

Scott Keith, president and CEO of LEPFA, told the State Journal last month officials were looking to "redevelop the market entirely into a different type of venue."

The owner of Hills' Home Cured Cheese, the last vestige of the city’s old farmers market, decided to leave the market in April.

For more information about the market and its events this summer, call (517) 483-7460.

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.