LANSING, Mich. — Lansing Mayor Andy Schor unveiled plans for a new live music and arts venue in downtown Lansing on Tuesday.
“We have Wharton which is 2,300, but is mostly for seated Broadway shows and things, but we don’t have that that concert space for concerts," Schor said. "This is going to provide that need that we have so badly in our community.”
The Ovation will be built at the southwest corner of South Washington Square and Lenawee Street, the former site of Lake Trust Credit Union building.
The venue will have a two-story main stage and balcony with room for 2,025 people; a private party room with a balcony overlooking the main stage; multi-purpose community rooms for local non-profits, school groups and community event rentals; office, studio and retail space and 40 artist lofts to rent on the third and fourth floors.
Director of the Lansing Public Media Center Dominic Cochran said this project has been in discussion for over 20 years and he's excited to see it become a reality.
“The plan is to build a culture from the very beginning that makes this really inclusive for the community so everyone can have a sense of ownership,” Cochran said.
State Senator Curtis Hertel Jr. said this venue will assist schools with arts education.
“Too often arts education is missing in our community, unfortunately, as schools don’t have enough money to cover the cost of education," Hertel said. "The first things that are cut are arts and music so this provides a natural opportunity to not only have those programs in the schools but to continue them here.”
The total cost for the project is estimated at a maximum of $21 million. The city has received $2 million from the state and $8 million in dedicated public access fees.
The city plans to get the additional $10 million from private donors, sponsorships, grants and a bank loan on the lofts, if needed.
A feasibility study showed 87 percent of Lansing residents were in support of a new music venue. The study also showed the venue could see total attendance of 190,000 people per year with a total estimated audience spending at $5.3 million.
Schor said this will help benefit the city economically.
“We know this is going to increase tourism, amplify local business and attract young people to live and work in the surrounding area,” Schor said.
When it comes to parking, Cochran said they conducted a feasibility study that shows they have plenty of existing spaces especially at night.
“Our combination of valet parking and all of the almost 2,000 parking spaces within a two block radius including a very underutilized city ramp on South Capitol,” Cochran said,
To be a host for art and music.
“Arts and culture are the fabric that fortifies and informs a health public life by providing a vital voice of community pride and connection,” Hertel said.
The city is moving into final fundraising and planning stages of the process and expects to move toward a groundbreaking later this year.
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