Two million dollars has been included in the state budget to help the city of Lansing build a long-desired performance venue.
Four different mayoral administrations have been working for more than 20 years on funding for a facility big enough to house concert tours and other events. With news that the state will provide $2-million dollars, Lansing can finally leverage that money with public, educational and government access fees to get serious about building a $10-million-dollar venue.
Lansing Public Media Center Director Dominic Cochran says state law prohibits using the money for other purposes like street repairs.
“We plan on building a facility that will be open and accessible and attractive to everyone in our community. To me, it’s truly once in a lifetime, so I think if we can all get behind it as a community, I think we’ll build something really special.”
Along with a space that would hold up to 1,500 people, the building would house a theatre space for 200 to 300.
Cochran says two sites are under consideration.