Downtown Lansing Selected for Michigan Main Street Program
LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Main Street Center announced today that the City of Lansing’s Downtown district (Downtown Lansing, Inc.) has been selected by the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) to take part in the Selected Level Michigan Main Street program.
Lansing’s Old Town district has been part of the Michigan Main Street program since 2006. As part of the Selected Level of Michigan Main Street, Downtown Lansing will receive five years of intensive technical assistance, with a focus on revitalization strategies designed to attract new residents, business investment, economic growth and job creation to their central business districts.
“The Michigan Main Street program will help Downtown Lansing create opportunities for redevelopment, placemaking and economic growth just as it has in downtowns throughout Michigan for the past 10 years,” says Governor Rick Snyder. “Vibrant communities and downtowns are critical as we look to attract new investment, help local businesses grow and retain and attract the talent that is needed to reinvent Michigan.”
The Michigan Main Street program ties in with Governor Snyder’s placemaking efforts to create vibrant communities across Michigan. These efforts are based on numerous studies showing that investing in placemaking creates vibrant city centers and downtowns, making the state economically stronger. There are currently 42 communities participating in the Michigan Main Street program at all levels, including 18 at the Select and Master levels.
The underlying premise of Main Street is a Four Point Approach® that encourages community economic development in four areas: Organization: getting everyone working toward the same goal and assembling the appropriate human and financial resources to implement a Main Street revitalization program.
Promotion: selling a positive image of the commercial district and encouraging consumers and
investors to live, work, shop, play and invest in the Main Street district.
Design: getting the downtown into top physical shape. Capitalizing on its best assets, such as historic buildings and pedestrian-oriented streets, is just part of the story.
Economic Restructuring: strengthening a community's existing economic assets while expanding and diversifying its economic base.
“Programs like Michigan Main Street provide downtown communities with the tools needed to develop thriving downtowns,” said MSHDA Executive Director Scott Woosley. “In turn, these tools can be used to create jobs, provide desirable places to live and build a sense of place for Michigan residents.”
For further information on the Michigan Main Street Program, visit
or contact Laura Krizov, manager of the Michigan Main Street Center at 517-241-4237 (krizovl@michigan.gov)
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