Reconstruction of public area that replaced parking with outdoor seating, an enclosed fire pit, and a protected stage has encouraged both patronage and performance in downtown East Lansing.
Since 2010, the new Ann Street Plaza has provided outdoor space for residents and visitors to enjoy a meal, browse merchants, and to enjoy weekend concerts, festivals and most recently, the inaugural season of the
city's Open Mic at the Plaza.
"Open Mic has been in the back of our minds for a while," says Ami Van Antwerp, communications coordinator for the City of East Lansing. "We've held off until we have just the right space. Now that we have that, it's a great opportunity for people to participate and for people to watch, too."
Van Antwerp says East Lansing's Open Mic night is the only outdoor event of its type in Greater Lansing. Local singer-songwriter Jen Sygit hosts the once-a-week event that kicked off July 16 and runs Wednesday evenings through August 27.
The event, Van Antwerp explains, offers the opportunity for anyone interested in making music to perform two to three songs before a live audience. Signup begins at 6:30 p.m. with basic sound equipment provided.
The Ann Street Plaza was previously a combination plaza and parking lot. When construction began in 2010 on The Residences and St. Anne Lofts projects, city leaders worked with developers and contractors to make a more useful public plaza.
"This is the heart of our downtown where our clock tower is," says Lori Mullins, East Lansing community and economic development administrator. "It's a place where people can meet up and be together. It helps create a sense of place and defines character."
The plaza can accommodate about 250 people for an outdoor event—complete with bring-your-own chair, blanket or plaza wall seating. The 16,000-square foot plaza serves as a gateway for visitors to drop in to adjacent merchants before or after enjoying a meal, outdoor ambiance or a performance.
"We like to think that people have a new thing to do during the week and on weekends now," says Van Antwerp. "It's just another reason to come downtown in the summer."
Source: Ami Van Antwerp, Communications Coordinator, City of East Lansing
Lori Mullins, Community and Economic Development Administrator City of East Lansing
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