For a century, Lansing's industrial history was reflected in a prominent Michigan Ave. storefront that was built as a lumber mill before housing a GM supplier. As the city itself transformed, so has the building, now home to a decorative artist who is helping to redefine the neighborhood.
Downtown Portland shrinks vacancy rates and boosts investment when public and private partners find a way to overcome a major barrier to growth. A longtime store owner recounts how a public boardwalk, a state housing program and local business owners worked together to pave the way for upper floor housing rehabs to help transform the downtown neighborhood.
When shopping in your favorite downtown store, ever wonder what's upstairs? For decades, the answer has been "not much" for many Michigan cities. Take a look at how that trend is changing across the state, in communities like Manistee, Portland and Detroit's Eastern Market, where local property owners are redefining downtowns by reviving upper floor residences.
The founders of Gravity Works started with two key ingredients: passion and talent. Next came a physical home in Lansing's Old Town and a business plan that included plenty of community engagement.
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