Old Town - Lansing, MI
It’s Makeover Time!
This article was posted on Wed, Jan 02 2008 | Permalink
We’ve been talking about IKEA since August when we found out Old Town was a finalist in its Main Street Makeover contest. Now, the time for the makeovers is finally here!
IKEA crews are coming to town Monday, January 7 –Friday, January 18 to makeover ten Old Town businesses. IKEA crews will work together with volunteers during the two-week period to paint, assemble and install furniture. If you would like to help, call the OTCA office.
Once everything is complete, IKEA and the business owners would like to invite everyone who voted and supported Old Town to their new spaces for an Open House event the weekend after the makeovers are complete. Look for detail on our website the first week in January.
Also, check out the new videos up on the IKEA website, www.ikea.com/business. Each of the businesses has a ‘before’ video including an interview with the owner describing what they would like to see happen in their business and why they love Old Town.
OTCA Committees: 2008 Plans & Projects
This article was posted on Wed, Jan 02 2008 | Permalink
As a Michigan MainStreet community, the OTCA has four committees which work on various projects over the year to continue the OTCA’s mission of revitalization. The committees met in December to plan their goals and projects for 2008. Here’s a preview of what’s planned for 2008.
Promotions Committee
Goal:
To conduct Festivals and Events to bring people to Old Town and fundraise for OTCA.
Projects:
•Compassionate Feast
•Old Town Dickens Village
•Farmers Market
Goal:
To manage the following programs efficiently, generating funds and volunteers for Old Town.
Projects:
•Continue to improve Membership Program
•Create a fundraising strategy and kit
Economic Restructuring Committee
Goal:
To recruit and retain
businesses in the Old Town district
Projects:
•Develop and implement a Business Assistance Team
•Improve and promote connectivity with downtown
Goal:
To stabilize and expand the financing of our organization to further our overall vision and mission statement.
Projects:
•Research a Business Improvement Zone or Business Improvement District
Regular Agenda Items:
•Wake-Up Old Town Networking Events
•Host Ribbon-Cuttings for New Businesses
Design Committee
Goal:
To make the commercial district more inviting, distinctive, and a pedestrian friendly environment.
Projects:
•Account for trashcans, benches and other amenities and determine if more are needed, where to place them and how to pay for them.
•Spring Plantings
•Holiday Decorations
•A cleaning and public maintenance plan for Old Town
Goal:
To encourage and enhance the historic character of our buildings when appropriate so that the downtown is fun, distinctive and unique.
Projects:
•Conduct Main Street 101, a design workshop, for property owners who wish to apply for the Main Street Façade Improvement assistance and review these applications.
Organization Committee
Goal:
To communicate effectively with the general public so that stakeholders and potential volunteers are aware of current events, volunteer opportunities, businesses, and the mission and progress of the organization.
Projects:
•Annual Meeting and Volunteer Recognition in February
•Monthly Newsletter
Goal:
To hold community-outreach events to encourage a family-friendly atmosphere
Projects:
•Compassionate Feast
•Old Town Dickens Village
•Farmers Market
Goal:
To manage the following programs efficiently, generating funds and volunteers for Old Town.
Projects:
•Continue to improve Membership Program
•Create a fundraising strategy and kit
OTCA’s Annual Meeting
This article was posted on Wed, Jan 02 2008 | Permalink
It is getting to be that time of year again. The OTCA’s Annual Meeting is only a few months away. Perspective2, located at 319 E. Grand River, will play host to all OTCA members for the annual recap, February 20, from 6:30p.m. to 8:30p.m. If you’re interested in the joining or getting more involved in the OTCA, this is a great chance to gain new information.
In addition to great networking, sampling wonderful food from the neighborhood, meeting your neighbors and having a chance to take another look at OTCA projects, Board Member elections are held at the Annual Meeting. This year, we’ll have three open Board positions. The positions are open to any OTCA members. Board members serve on an OTCA committee, attend monthly board meetings, volunteer at festivals and other events and are responsible for overseeing the OTCA staff. If you are interested in running for the OTCA board, please contact Jamie at the OTCA office for additional information.
We will be sending out a board recommended slate of candidates, as well as formal invitations to the annual meeting in late January. Additional information, as well as the annual report and any proposed bylaw changes will be available at http://www.iloveoldtown.org.
Old Towner Releases Award-Winning CD
This article was posted on Wed, Jan 02 2008 | Permalink
Songwriter Jules Anna Jones had a lot more to celebrate Monday, December 17 at Club X-Cel then the release of her new CD entitled “View.” The CD has already won 3rd prize overall and 1st prize for the song “Cliché,” at the 12th Annual USA Songwriting Competition, the world’s leading international songwriting event.
Jules, a Dewitt native, started studying classic piano at the age of four and found a love for songwritting as she got older. Jules joined Old Town’s Harvest Music + Sound Design where she has been working for the past 20 years. She has written songs at Harvest for big clients such as Jeff Daniels and Taylor Hicks from American Idol. Now, Jules decided it was time to try something that was strictly her own. With her love of music and by drawing on personal experiences, she was able to come up with 10 well-crafted songs that are sure to become instant hits.
Jules is happy to be able to share her love of music with the Old Town community. Ultimately, she would like to write for well-established artists and continue to feed the music industry with her talent.
Old Mustang Bar soon-to-be Alive Again
This article was posted on Wed, Jan 02 2008 | Permalink
Terry Terry, president of Message Makers, has officially torn down the back wall of the former Mustang Bar, located at 1213 Turner, to make room for some much needed revamping. Throughout the years the Mustang Bar, also known as the Wunderbar, had established a rough reputation in the 1960’s and 70’s. Now, Terry has high hopes to make the old building come alive again.
The building is receiving a complete make over including brick repair and a new roof. The upstairs will be split in half with one side expected to be a two-bedroom loft with a balcony over looking the river, and the other half will be space for Message Makers. The first floor is being transformed into a space that allows for a high-end destination restaurant. Terry is avidly hunting for anyone interested in renting this space and becoming a part of the quickly-growing Old Town community. His wish is to fill this vacancy with a “must-go-to” grill or bistro. Anyone interested is strongly encouraged to contact Terry at 517.482.3333 a.s.a.p. in order to further the progress of this restoration. The project is estimated to be completed by the end of March.