Old Town - Lansing, MI

OTCA Annual Meeting

This article was posted on Fri, Jan 23 2009 | Permalink

Please join the Old Town Commercial Association’s (OTCA) Board of Directors and Organization Committee for our annual meeting.

All community members are invited to the OTCA’s Annual Meeting, Wednesday, February 4 at Perspective2, 319 E. Grand River, from 6:30-8:30p.m.
Coming to the meeting is a great way to meet other Old Town stakeholders and learn more about the OTCA. At 7p.m. we’ll have a brief presentation reviewing our accomplishments in 2008 and our projects and goals for 2009.  We’ll also present the committee Volunteers of the Year and the overall OTCA Robert Busby Volunteer of the Year award.
If you have yet to pay your OTCA dues, you can do so at the meeting as well. However, it is not a requirement that you be a member to attend.
All OTCA members in good standing will also have one vote for Board Member elections and any by-law changes.  There will be four available board positions; two board members are up for re-election and two open spots are available.

Board Recommended Slate of Candidates
Re-election
Aaron Mathews, Clark Hill, PLC
Cecilia Garcia, Mama Bear’s Cafe

Election
David Such, SUCH Video
Don McNabb, Hooper Consulting Group
Karen Stefl, SUCH Video

We hope to see you there! If you have any questions, please call the OTCA office at 517.485.4283.

2009 Old Town Dates to Remember

This article was posted on Fri, Jan 09 2009 | Permalink

Mark your calendar with this quick list of major events so you don’t miss out on all the fun!

Weekly
Shmooze on Tues., Tuesdays, starting at 5p.m.(starting in Feb.)

Monthly
Wake Up Old Town, 1st Friday, 9-10a.m.
First Sunday Gallery Walk, 1st Sunday, 12-5p.m.
Farmers Market, 1st Sunday, 12-5p.m., May-October

February
4, OTCA Annual Meeting

April
5, Taste & Tour of Old Town
18, Document Destruction Day

May
30, Be A Tourist in Your Own Town

June
19-27, Old Town ScrapFest
26, Festival of the Moon
27, Festival of the Sun

August
7-8, Lansing JazzFest
20-22, Renegade Theatre Festival

September
18-19, Old Town BluesFest

October
9-10, Old Town Oktoberfest

November
23, Compassionate Feast

December
5-6, Old Town Dickens Village

Ikea Makeovers, 1 Year Later

This article was posted on Sat, Jan 03 2009 | Permalink

It is amazing to think that it has been almost a full year since IKEA invaded Old Town to transform 10 of our spaces. It seems like it was just a few months ago that we were in full IKEA frenzy, doing everything we could think of, no matter how ridiculous, to get votes. Then, celebrating the win and meeting with the IKEA crew to plan and design the spaces.
One year ago this January, the IKEA designers visited for two weeks to work their magic on Portable Feast & Friends, The Headroom, Gone 2 the Dogs, Such Video, Elderly Instruments, Sierra Club, Preuss Pets, Pablo’s Panaderia, Vernadine’s and the OTCA office, and we are all still loving the results.

The contest brought Old Town amazing media attention, bringing new people into the area. People are still coming in to see the makeovers for the first time. Sharon, owner of Portable Feast & Friends, has a small scrapbook of the whole process that she loves to show new and old customers who are equally amazed by the transformation.
Maybe not as noticeable, but just as important, is that IKEA helped by making our businesses more functional. Amanda, from the Sierra Club, noted that in getting ready for the new year, December is usually one of their busiest months. But, this December has been noticeably easier now that they are organized, thanks to IKEA. I know here at the OTCA, we still aren’t quite sure how we functioned with the pre-IKEA office setup.

Jana, owner of Gone 2 the Dogs, loves the new layout of her shop and the way it allows her to better merchandise her products. Gone 2 the Dogs, like many other small shops without a large budget, was full of mismatched furniture that had been collected throughout the years. IKEA came in and found a way to showcase her products and talent. “Even long-time regular customers come in and comment on products I’ve carried forever, but they are just now noticing because of the new displays,” said Jana.
The contest brought excitement to Old Town and style and function to our spaces. Thank you again to all who voted and supported us in the process and thank you to IKEA for a wonderful experience. You can still check out the videos documenting the contest and makeovers at http://www.ikea.com/business.

OTCAs Projects & Plans for 2009

This article was posted on Sat, Jan 03 2009 | Permalink

Through the Main Street program, the OTCA has four volunteer committees which work on various projects througout the year. Here’s a sneak peak at all they have planned for 2009.

PROMOTIONS
Objective 1: To conduct festivals and events to bring people to Old Town and fundraise for the program
Projects: Old Town ScrapFest
Festival of the Sun & Festival of the Moon
Old Town Oktoberfest
Old Town Dickens Village

Objective 2: To conduct retail promotions to drum up business and bring people to Old Town.
Projects: Taste and Tour of Old Town
Chalk Festival/Be a Tourist in Your Own Town

Objective 3:  To host marketing/image building activities to give people positive experiences in Old Town.
Projects: Welcome Packet
I Love Old Town Marketing Campaign
Shmooze on Tues.

ECONOMIC RESTRUCTURING
Objective 1:  To recruit and retain businesses
Projects:  Install and promote playground equipment in Burchard Park
Develop and implement a Business Assistance Team
Monthly recruiting visits to find new businesses
Implement the market analysis map and plan

Objective 2: Increase Old Town’s visibility and viability in Greater Lansing
Projects: Stabilize & promote the geographic boundaries of Old Town
Create a Business Improvement Zone (BIZ)
Wake Up Old Town! networking meetings

ORGANIZATION
Objective 1:  To communicate effectively with the general public so that stakeholders and potential volunteers are aware of the OTCA’s goals & happenings.
Projects:  Newsletter
Annual Meeting & Volunteer Recognition

Objective 2:  To hold community-outreach events to encourage a family-friendly atmosphere
Projects: Farmers Market
Compassionate Feast

Objective 3:  To manage the following programs efficiently, generating funds and volunteers.
Projects: OTCA Membership Program
Create a fundraising strategy and kit
Increase resident involvement

DESIGN
Objective 1: Streetscapes–To make the commercial district more inviting, distinctive, and a pedestrian friendly environment.
Projects:  Spring Plantings
Visual inventory of streetscape amenities
Holiday decorations plan
Cleaning & public maintenance plan

Objective 2: Facades –To encourage and enhance the historic character of our buildings when appropriate so that the downtown is fun and distinctive and unique. 
Projects: Conduct Main Street 101 & encourage use of the Main Street Façade Improvement services
Create an educational program for issues relating to buildings and the rehabilitation process
Review & update OTCA Design Guidelines
Update and hold a historic walking tour

Member Business Spotlight: Swanson Design Studios

This article was posted on Sat, Jan 03 2009 | Permalink

Swanson Design Studios is a multi-discipline architectural firm, offering exceptional architectural and interior design services. Because husband and wife team, Mary and Dave Swanson, each have almost 30 years experience in the field, their team can offer a variety of services including master planning, feasibility studies, site planning and construction observation and administration services. Swanson Design prides itself on truly listening to its clients to ensure that they receive the absolute best for their budget. They’ll work on any project, large or small, from complete renovation plans to just making sure a project is current on code or permits.

The Swanson Design team has experience in all types of buildings, but specializes in churches, old building and bar renovations. You might already be quite familiar with Swanson Designs’ work and not know it. Just a few recent projects include the renovations of the Tom’s Antiques building into Perspective2 and the manufacturing area of the old DARD building into the Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness office space in Old Town. They also designed additional worship space at Calvary Luthern Church on St. Joseph Hwy., and the renovations to Champions Sports Bar in Holt and Blue Gill Grill in Haslett.

After working in architectural firms across the mid-west, Dave and Mary opened Swanson Design Studios in 1996. In November of 2005, they moved the business into the old Bank of Lansing building at 329 E. Grand River Ave., in the heart of Old Town. Mary says they bought the building because it was a well-built historic building. Then, after moving in, they realized that the neighborhood was an added bonus. Mary quickly became involved in the neighborhood, joining the OTCA design committee. Now, Mary is committee chair, bringing her architectural expertise and love for gardening to the group. 
Stop into Swanson Design Studios to say hello or call to inquire about a project.