November 21, 2011
"To have this be a thriving center of commerce is going to be phenomenal," Lansing Mayor, Virg Bernero, said. "It's going to be a phenomenal shot in the arm for downtown."
On Monday, Mayor Bernero and others introduced plans to revitalize a historic piece of downtown Lansing.
"The Knapp's Centre will finally be restored to its original glory on the outside and be converted to a mix of retail, office and residential on the inside," Mayor Bernero added.
In total, the project will cost roughly $30 million and will feature one floor of retail and restaurants, three floors of office space and one floor of residential living.
"The intent is to start some of the demo work and some of the interior work later this winter, starting the major renovation of it later next year," Mark Clouse, who works for The Eyde Company, said.
The plans for the restoration were initially presented last year, but hit a roadblock with funding issues. Now, through many different funds, including loans and private money from the owners of the building, the renovation can move forward.
"Now it's back on," Mayor Bernero said. "It's very good news for our downtown to be able to save this structure for a long time."
"It's also exciting that one of the most prominent buildings in Lansing will actually have activity again," Lansing City Council president, A'Lynne Robinson, said.
That activity will come soon. The expected length of the restoration is suppose to take roughly 18 months.
Mayor Bernero is expected to bring the final proposal to city council on Monday. The council will have to sign off on the plans before the project can move forward.
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