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www.lansingcitypulse.com • A newspaper for the rest of us
June 3 - 9, 2020
Locally owned
Clear voices, troubled waters
SEE PAGE 12
2 www.lansingcitypulse.com City Pulse • June 3, 2020
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Heroes
City Pulse • June 3, 2020 www.lansingcitypulse.com 3
COVID-19
HONORING LANSING’S WARRIORS
We are now accepting
nominations for those who
have made the biggest impact
during the Coronavirus crisis.
Any individual
can be nominated. Nominations Accepted:
We require their name, May 27-June 10
contact information, job title and Voting: June 18 - July 1
Honorees Announced: July 15
the reasons for nomination.
lansingcitypulse.com/COVIDHERO
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TIME INCLUDE:
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4 www.lansingcitypulse.com City Pulse • June 3, 2020
VOL. 19
ISSUE 43
(517) 371-5600 • Fax: (517) 999-6061 • 1905 E. Michigan Ave. • Lansing, MI 48912 • www.lansingcitypulse.com
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8 EDITOR AND PUBLISHER • Berl Schwartz
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ARTS & CULTURE EDITOR • Skyler Ashley
We say farewell to Lansing's Jack Davis skyler@lansingcitypulse.com • (517) 999-5068
EVENTS EDITOR/OFFICE MANAGER • Suzi Smith
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PAGE PRODUCTION • Abby Sumbler
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14 (517) 999-5066
STAFF WRITERS • Lawrence Cosentino
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Peaceful protest and fiery riot Kyle Kaminski • kyle@lansingcitypulse.com
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Lee Purdy • lee@lansingcitypulse.com • (517) 999-5064
PAGE Mike Piasecki • mike@lansingcitypulse.com • (517) 999-6707
18 Contributors: Andy Balaskovitz, Justin Bilicki, Capital
News Service, Bill Castanier, Ryan Claytor, Mary C.
Escape into the world of Animal Crossing Cusack, Tom Helma, Gabrielle Lawrence Johnson,
Terry Link, Kyle Melinn, Mark Nixon, Dawn Parker,
Dennis Preston, Carrie Sampson, Nevin Speerbrecker,
Rich Tupica, Ute Von Der Heyden, David Winkelstern,
Cover Paul Wozniak
Delivery drivers: Garrett Clinard, Dave Fisher
Art
Interns: Matthew Stine • stinem47@gmail.com
Photos by Skyler Ashley
NOW AT 10:00 A.M.
SUNDAYS on
City Pulse • June 3, 2020 www.lansingcitypulse.com 5
America the sick
With apologies for our use of profanity, Facebook. We find little cause to dis-
we have to ask: What the hell is wrong with agree with him.
this country? And where was Mayor Andy Schor?
Yet another death of a black man at the He showed up for the photo op at the
hands of police for no discernable reason. police operations center for the retaking
Yet another wave of protests in cities across of the oath, a lovely gesture to be sure,
the nation decrying senseless police brutal- but we couldn't help notice his absence
ity. We’re not surprised, and you shouldn’t while downtown Lansing was under
be, either. Six years after the murder of assault. Enacting a curfew hours after
Michael Brown by police in Ferguson, the car was burned and windows bro-
Missouri, and the murder of Eric Garner ken?? Too little, too late. Repeating the
at the hands of New York City police, plus curfew the next night with virtually no
countless less publicized incidents since advanced notice to the public speaks to
then, whatever progress we’ve made, if any a lack of forethought. And did we miss
at all, seems to have vanished. the press conference with the mayor
Monday, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said she and police chief updating Lansing res-
sees “historic inequities of racial justice idents on the situation and calling for
coming to a tipping point in communities calm — as well as providing the media
across America.” But is it really a tipping a place to ask the hard questions that
The CP Edit
point? Weren’t the murders of Garner and need to be addressed about police
Brown a tipping point? What about the mass mur- performance. That’s what leaders do in times of
der of schoolchildren at Sandy Hook? Was that crisis.
not a tipping point? More than a half century ago, when America
All of them should have led to meaningful was just beginning to reckon with its shameful
reforms, but none actually moved the needle on
Opinion treatment of black citizens, Sam Cooke sang that
eradicating police violence against people of col- a change is gonna come. Frankly, we’re tired
or or squelching America’s love affair with guns. Department with a relatively small number of of waiting for it. Generation after generation of
Yet in Canada, a single incident of gun violence excessive force incidents over the past decade, Americans have seen wave after wave of social
brought an immediate nationwide ban on assault scant evidence of racially biased policing, and a upheaval around issues of racial injustice and
weapons. What’s wrong with America that we bonafide commitment to community-based strat- economic inequality. Yet too many of us go about
can’t find the wherewithal to effect and sustain egies that strengthen the bonds between police our daily lives as if these issues are someone
real change, that we can’t find solutions to our officers and citizens. else’s concern.
nation’s deepest ills? While we are thankful for that, we can’t help Like the deadly scourge of COVID-19, the cul-
America’s ongoing appetite and tolerance for question the judgment of police commanders who tural sickness afflicting our nation falls heaviest
violence, especially when aimed at people of col- failed to prevent a volatile and entirely predict- on people of color. But there will be no vaccine
or, conspires with a fleeting attention span, where able situation on Washington Square over the for the structural racism and ravages of poverty
even the most profoundly shocking incidents weekend. When lawless idiots are in the process that deny equal opportunity and social justice to
disappear into subsequent news cycles, all but of destroying a car, flipping it over and setting it millions of our citizens, or for the police brutality
erased from the national conscience and political on fire, shouldn’t the police intervene and arrest that causes people of color to live in fear that
agenda. Just as wave after wave of school shoot- those responsible? Which begs the question: they or their children may be the next to die.
ings has failed to produce any meaningful reform why were cars allowed on the square in the first Change may yet come, but it will only happen
in national gun laws, the continuing pandemic place? After several nights in a row of downtowns as a result of a new generation of leaders at the
of police brutality against people of color has being destroyed in cities across the country, did it local, state and federal levels who pay more than
prompted little improvement in weeding out the not occur to Lansing’s leadership that a proactive lip service to demands for reform. Above all, it
bad actors from the ranks of law enforcement. plan would be needed to protect Lansing’s down- will only happen when each and every one of us
Here in Lansing, we are more fortunate than town if and when things turned ugly? looks deeply at our own biases and privileges and
many. Our city has a proud tradition of racial Instead, Lansing police opted to stand back commits to being part of the solution.
harmony, rooted in the efforts of black and white at a safe distance, allowing the melee to grow, Echoing the words of President Barack Obama,
residents in the 1960s and 1970s, who worked then clearing the streets with tear gas well after whose calm and enlightened leadership we des-
hand in hand to push back against discrimination the damage was done. Never mind that there perately miss at this frightening and perilous junc-
in housing, education, public accommodations were innocent bystanders, including children, ture in our nation’s history: Let’s get to work.
and employment. Today, Lansing is second caught up in the gassing. First Ward Lansing
only to Kalamazoo among Michigan cities in the City Council member Brandon Betz, who was
racial integration of its neighborhoods. We are on the scene offering aid to people exposed to
also blessed with a better-than-average Police tear gas, expressed his disgust with the tactic on
Send letters to the editor on this editorial or any other topic to
letters@lansingcitypulse.com. Please limit them to 250 words.
6 www.lansingcitypulse.com City Pulse • June 3, 2020
As MSU goes, so goes the local economy. But how does it go?
(This is the first in a three-part series, “Covid & the Commerce. He said the chamber is closely watching
Economy,” that looks at the impact of the pandemic COVID and the the “three legs of the stool” in the regional economy for
on the three legs of Greater Lansing’s economic “stool.” Economy indications of what a post-pandemic mid-Michigan
This week: MSU.) resembles.
By ARI ADLER “What does Michigan State look like in September,
T
he COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted lives what does GM look like, and what does state govern-
and created anxiety in ways few people have ment look like?” Daman said. “They are going to set
experienced. The recovery will take months, the tone for us and determine what our region is going
if not years. And for some communities, complex deci- to look like.”
sions yet to be made could impact that recovery time. Daman added another decision for state and local
In the mid-Michigan region, Michigan State governments and business owners is how to reopen
University has decided to bring students back to cam- bars and restaurants, which is complicated even fur-
pus on Sept. 2. However, in his announcement on ther in a college town.
May 27, President Samuel Stanley “Do they allow a 25-percent or 50-percent capacity
also said students would have the and provide for social distancing?” Daman said. “You
option to continue taking classes get 50,000 kids, some away from home for the first
remotely. The answers to when, time and now in a post-pandemic environment —
how, and how many students how do they handle themselves?”
return to campus will have a pro- Beier said the city of East Lansing is looking at
found impact on tens of thou- innovative ways to help ease the post-pandemic con-
sands of lives and livelihoods in cerns for bars and restaurants.
the region. This story is paid for by read- She explained the city is planning to close Albert
Michigan State University has Stanley ers like you through contri- Avenue between the city parking ramp and MAC, as
more than 50,000 students plus butions to the CityPulse Fund well as using two city parking lots in the area, to pro-
approximately 12,000 faculty and for Community Journalism. To vide picnic tables for restaurant and bar patrons.
staff. The university’s economic impact on the region contribute, please go to “That way, people can get their food and maybe
is $3.1 billion annually, according to a 2017 Anderson lansingcitypulse.com/donation.
Economic Group study.
MSU established a task force to review myriad “What does Michigan State look like in
issues involving students returning to campus. It is To East Lansing Mayor Ruth Beier, the health of the
students and East Lansing residents should take prec- September, what does GM look like, and
anticipated Stanley will receive its recommendations
in July. edent over re-engaging the economy. what does state government look like? They
MSU’s executive vice president for health services “This is the university’s decision,” Beier said. “The are going to set the tone for us and deter-
co-chairs the task force with the university physician. administration keeps us apprised, but we are not on mine what our region is going to look like.”
Plus, Stanley is an infectious disease specialist. the taskforce. They haven’t asked us for input, but
what Dr. Stanley is trying to do is protect the health of
the students at MSU, and that’s his job to do.” — Tim Daman
Health first
The healthiest and safest decision for the campus will
According to Beier, MSU students compose half of President & CEO
East Lansing’s population when they are in town, and
be a key deciding factor for Stanley when weighing Lansing Regional Chamber
the impact of not having them around for shopping,
options, according to Emily Gerkin Guerrant, vice
patronizing restaurants and bars, or serving as an of Commerce
president and university spokeswoman.
employee base for businesses would have a significant
“We never really closed, so it’s a misnomer to say
effect.
reopen, but that is the common term people are using,”
“If students don’t come back, that’s huge for what
Guerrant said. “We will be here in some capacity in the
will happen to area businesses, property values, prop- drinks and eat outside,” Beier said. “You wouldn’t need
fall, although it will likely be a hybrid situation.”
erty tax revenue, income tax revenue, and the viability a lot of employees for that model — you need cooks
She noted that classes in large lecture halls common
of our downtown,” Beier said. “It will force some busi- and some servers, but people are mostly taking food
in a student’s freshman and sophomore years are like-
nesses to go out of business for good. On the other to go.”
ly to stay online. As for other courses, the university is
hand, students are safer where they are now.” She said the city is working with the state Liquor
looking at different scenarios.
And so are area communities because, as Beier not- Control Commission on how to accommodate patrons
“Where can we have more
ed, the students aren’t bringing any illnesses to cam- taking alcohol outside.
in-person engagement?” Guerrant
pus with them. Ongoing economic impact studies by the Anderson
said. “We are planning for multi-
“When students get back to campus or in the neigh- Economic Group in East Lansing have shown the many
ple scenarios. If CDC recommen-
borhoods … they aren’t very good social distancers,” ways universities positively impact their communities.
dations say no more than 10 or 50
Beier said. “Most of the neighborhoods have good But if you remove students from the equation while
people in a group, how does that
relationships with students who live there. I hear from shuttered businesses attempt to reopen, it may be too
affect students in residence halls,
people who don’t have relationships with students and much for some small businesses already teetering over
dining halls, and classrooms?”
are worried about them returning.” the edge, according to AEG CEO Patrick Anderson.
Another wrinkle is addressing
concerns of MSU faculty. “Particularly in the restaurant and hospitality
Guerrant An economic pillar industry, this will be the event that is the cataclysm
“We have a lot of faculty who
are in the vulnerable population,” For the region as a whole, Michigan State University that ends their continued operation,” Anderson said.
Guerrant said. “This is about protecting the faculty is still a key economic pillar, despite attempts to diver-
and staff, as well, and are they comfortable teaching sify the local economy, according to Tim Daman, pres- See MSU, Page 7
students in a classroom setting?” ident and CEO of the Lansing Regional Chamber of
City Pulse • June 3, 2020 www.lansingcitypulse.com 7
MSU
According to Stanley’s recent
FOR announcement, MSU is taking A tact
DESIGN
similar to other schools around the
country, wrapping up in-person classes
from page 6
for the fall semester by Thanksgiving.
“There is going to be a cascade of bank- That way, students aren’t going back
ruptcies. When you take small business- and forth from campus to their home-
es, in particular, and shut them down towns in such a short timeframe around
for two straight months — even if you the holidays.
provide generous unemployment ben- The uniqueness of the COVID-19
efits for their employees — the owners pandemic means decisionmakers are
and managers and customers often having to wing it, with little reference in
can’t hang on that long. The damage modern history to rely upon for exam-
from this extended shutdown will be ples.
so deep that many small businesses will “We have never had anything of this
not survive.” magnitude,” Guerrant said. “We have
How to balance health concerns and dealt with meningitis outbreaks, H1N1
economic mayhem is the question to and other flus. But we have not had
which there are no easy answers. anything with an impact this broad and
Guerrant noted the university is look- wide. We have never had to move all
ing at what requirements it can put in classes online within a matter of days.”
place. Many people around the region are
anxiously awaiting the university’s deci-
sion on how to move classes and stu-
“If students don’t come back, dents back to campus.
that’s huge for what will happen “I’m not optimistic that we can change
of the regional economy and one that
The June Eye for Design has a student behavior,” Beier said. “I’ve tried
gothic feel, reminiscent of some-
to area businesses, property has seen a recent construction boom in
it as a resident, and as mayor, and the
values, property tax revenue, and near East Lansing.
thing we would see on the older police have tried.”
“I’ve heard from rental property
part of MSU’s campus, however, income tax revenue, and the managers who are concerned,” Beier
Beier noted that keeping the city’s
this design can be found near viability of our downtown,” Beier police officers healthy will be another
said. “Let’s say MSU decides the saf-
downtown Lansing. The iron challenge if students return not just to
said. “It will force some busi- est thing is not to let students live in
classes but to socializing as they did
spikes resemble the stalks of dorms or only one-quarter of students
summer flowers, like the daisies
nesses to go out of business pre-pandemic.
that normally live there live in dorms.
in the center of the design. The for good. On the other hand, That would increase the demand for
“I’m not going to put our police offi-
students are safer where they cers at risk by sending them in to break
base of the light is adorned with rentals in the neighborhoods and the
up a big party,” Beier said. “They would
an acanthus leaf where the arc are now.” new buildings, which would be good for
need to socially distance while trying to
of the metal attaches to the wall. those property owners.”
break up people who aren’t social dis-
If you know where this detail can But what if a lot of students choose to
be found, send me an email at
— Ruth Beier take their classes remotely?
tancing. That’s not easy to do.”
That’s another reason Beier is con-
carriesampson@micourthistory. President “Some small landlords that have just
cerned about students flooding back
org. East Lansing one or two houses might just get out
into town.
— CARRIE SAMPSON of them,” Beier said, noting that many
City Council people might not be able to afford the
“It’s not good for MSU and not good
for East Lansing, but I would not open
mortgages and upkeep on rental prop-
a campus of 50,000 people and try
erties if they don’t have renters.
to keep them socially distanced until
there’s a vaccine or a good treatment,”
International students she said. “That would be the end of
“We have been following CDC guide- Regardless of how many students
lines, and we are looking at whether we many small businesses in East Lansing,
return to MSU’s campus in the fall, the but I would choose health over the econ-
could require masks on campus. Could population of international students is
we require testing, and what would omy in a college town. But, as mayor, I
likely to be much smaller. don’t get to make that choice.”
The breezeblock wall featured in the that look like?” Guerrant said. “We can Guerrant noted that a large number
last Eye for Design column was not impact what happens in on-campus (Before forming a communica-
went home and now face the possibili- tions consultancy, Ari Adler served as
identified by a reader. It is part of housing. And we could look at requiring ty of not being able to get back into the
masks for everyone if they are in contact Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder’s director of
the Board of Water and Light’s sub- U.S. for a while.
with others once they are on campus.” communications, overseeing media and
station on the corner of Burcham “We are looking at what accommo-
But the university’s control ends at public relations from 2016 to 2018 on
Drive and Stoddard Avenue in East dations we can make to take classes local, state, and national issues. Adler
Lansing. the edge of campus. And Guerrant remotely from other countries for stu-
said that while 85 to 90 % of first-year began his career as a journalist, work-
dents who want to remain Spartans but ing as a reporter and editor for several
students live on campus, that number could have difficulties getting back due
drops quickly as students age. By soph- newspapers across Michigan. He earned
to travel restrictions,” Guerrant said. his bachelor’s degree in journalism from
omore year, only 25 percent are still liv- If the university does that, it leads to
ing on campus. In total, about 70 per- Michigan State University, where he
another complication. How do faculty served as an adjunct instructor for 12
“Eye for Design” is our look at some of cent of MSU’s 50,234 students last year
the nicer properties in Lansing. It rotates each handle teaching students who are living years, teaching courses on news report-
with Eye candy of the Week and Eyesore of the lived off-campus. in significantly different international
Week. Off-campus housing is another sector ing, public relations, and social media.)
time zones?
8 www.lansingcitypulse.com City Pulse • June 3, 2020
‘Everybody trusted Jack’
Remembering lifelong
Lansing champion Jack Davis
The life of attorney and philanthro-
pist Jack Davis, one of Lansing’s most
stalwart champions, gives the lie to the
old saying, ‘It ain’t what you do, it’s the
way that you do it.”
With Davis, who died Thursday (May
28) at the age of 81 of acute myeloid leu-
kemia, it was both.
He gave blunt advice, but tempered it
with diplomacy. He donated generous-
ly to arts organizations while pushing
them to grow. He moved quietly among
the city’s political, business and cultur-
al centers, cross-pollinating countless
relationships and connections without Davis
drawing attention to himself. Courtesy photo
“My heart is hurting but it’s also filled When they didn’t trust each other, Sue and Jack Davis visit backstage with singer and actress Audra McDonald,
with joy,” former Lansing School Board everybody trusted Jack.” soloist in a Lansing Symphony Orchestra concert in September 2019. The Davises
member Robin Lewis said. Lewis met Longtime friend Pam Jodway, a mar-
were major donors to the symphony and many other educational and cultural
Davis while both were on Lansing’s keting specialist, has known Davis her
organizations in greater Lansing.
middle-school task force. “I have many entire life. Davis served as personal
stories about seeing him use his privi- and professional attorney for her par- Loomis firm for years before he became ting, but then you really appreciate it,”
lege for good. I admired his integrity ents, both physicians. Davis spoke at a partner. Millbrook said. “Then you seek it out,
and what he stood for.” Jodway’s father’s funeral. She turned to “As an attorney, I don’t think I ever because you know you’re going to get a
Davis was a proud, home-grown Davis for professional, personal, legal met anyone more thorough,” Anderton straight answer. It comes from a great
product of Lansing schools. He got his and travel advice “countless times.” said. “What made him so brilliant and place and it will take you to a really
undergraduate degree at the University “He’d just listen and say, ‘Do you need so incisive was the preparation, the great place.”
of Wisconsin, where he met his future anything?’” she recalled. “He was always hours and hours of time and thought Millbrook choked back tears at the
wife, Sue Shaeffer. She and their chil- there for you.” that went into it.” memory.
dren, Gregory and Jennifer, survive him. She watched Davis at board meet- Cathy Morgan was a receptionist at When it came to financial support,
After a stint in the Army, he got a law ings as the complex machinery of the the Loomis firm for about 11 years. it was not just the amount Davis gave
degree at Harvard and worked briefly Lansing Promise scholarship fund took “I loved it. I met so many people that had impact, but the way he gave it.
in Chicago, but returned to Lansing to shape. through him,” she recalled. His support often came in the form of
join the Loomis Law Firm in 1966 and “His persistence in getting that first Morgan said Davis treated everyone, challenge grants that encouraged arts
lived in Lansing the rest of his life. big donation from Magic Johnson took from high-profile clients like football groups to reach out to new donors.
It impressed former Lansing Mayor two years,” Jodway said. star Steve Smith to the entire Loomis “The support from Jack and Sue is
Virg Bernero that Davis served twice as It was easy to misread him at first staff, with the same respect. really what has enabled the symphony
president of the Lansing School Board. blush, especially in a crowded meet- “He was great for me because he knew to start to stand on our own two feet
“Very few people of his pedigree, ing. Most of the time, he waited and I do a lot of things with the church, and and be sustainable,” Millbrook said.
his education level, go back to their listened, and sometimes seemed unin- he supported me in all that, even after I Many of the area’s nonprofit leaders
community and serve on the school terested. left,” Morgan said. and other business and cultural players
board Bernero said. “Not in the sense “We had some contentious, difficult Former Lansing State Rep. Joan owe their introduction to each other to
of, ‘You’re lucky I’m here,’ but pulling conversations,” Jodway said. “He was Bauer and Davis chaired the drive to the Davises.
up alongside, doing the heavy lifting, in the background, observing, and he invest $120 million in Lansing schools, “He felt strongly about the ecosystem
shoulder to shoulder.” would find an appropriate time to qui- a bond proposal that passed in 2016. of the arts, culture and service organi-
Bernero knew Davis best as “the may- etly put something on the table that was True to form, Davis went beyond attend- zations,” Millbrook said. “When I think
or whisperer.” so profound, it changed the whole tone ing every meeting and public event. about the people I can call and talk
“He sort of comes with the office,” of the meeting,” Jodway said. “He even went out and did door-to- things through, my peers, a lot of those
Bernero said. “He was an adviser to all His sense of humor was below the door stuff, gave his all to everything,” introductions came from Jack.”
the mayors, and to many others. If I had radar. During a long and complicated Bauer said. “I miss him already.”
Davis always sponsored a table at the
trouble getting through to somebody, meeting, Davis would raise his eye- The Davises enjoyed the arts for their
Allen Neighborhood Center’s Strawber-
they would always take Jack’s call even brows and whisper to Jodway, “Are you own sake, but also for its potential to
ry Festival, but he never used it for the
if they wouldn’t take mine.” having fun yet?” help a community grow and thrive.
Loomis firm. A few years ago, Millbrook
Bernero credited Davis with helping Michael H. Rhodes, a partner at the Courtney Millbrook, executive director
got a call from the center’s director,
to bring the Lansing Economic Area firm with Davis for 38 years, called of the Lansing Symphony Orchestra,
Joan Nelson, offering Davis’ table to the
Partnership, or LEAP, into being. Davis a “quiet mentor.” said the Davises were among the orches-
symphony.
“Regional development was a foreign “He wasn’t a fiery litigator, like some, tra’s most generous and stalwart donors.
“That’s not something we normally
concept in Lansing,” he said. “It was but he was a true advocate for his cli- She got a taste of the blunt Davis style in
would have done, but we got to come
Jack’s quiet, diplomatic, persistent lead- ents.” Rhodes said. one of their earliest meetings.
ership that brought people together. JV Anderton was an associate at the “At first, it can be a little off-put-
See Davis, Page 9
City Pulse • June 3, 2020 www.lansingcitypulse.com 9
Davis cially, first sought to collect art — but
realized on a buying trip to New York
with East Lansing’s Roy Saper in tow as
relax, be off the circuit,” she said.
The community, for its part, has been
denied the comfort of gathering to cele-
event somewhere that lets everybody
in,” Jodway said. “You could fill Spartan
Stadium with Jack’s advocates.”
from page 8 an adviser that he was out of his league. brate Davis’ life, but that day will come. — LAWRENCE COSENTINO
So he turned to books and autographs. “They’re going to have to have an
A lucky few were accorded an opportu-
out and meet the people in the east side nity to visit his collection, so valuable CITY OF EAST LANSING
2020 SRF PROJECT PLAN
community.” it was housed in a secret location away NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
Two of Davis’ passions — his advocacy from his Okemos home.
for education and his love of nature — People who worked with him or
The City of East Lansing will hold a public hearing on the proposed 2020 Project Plan for Collection
converged in the Susan and Jack Davis knew him as a friend wondered how he System and Water Resource Recovery Facility Improvements for the purpose of receiving
Fenner Nature Center Pavilion, com- found enough hours in the day to do it comments from interested persons. The hearing will be held at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, July 6, 2020
pleted earlier this year, where the center at the Department of Public Works, 1800 East State Road, East Lansing, MI 48823.
all.
will host hundreds of group meetings, He was an avid athlete as well and The purpose of the proposed project is to make improvements to the City’s existing sewerage
community classes and programs for completed the Lansing-to-Mackinac collection and treatment systems. The improvements will ensure that the City can continue to
adequately convey and treat all sewerage flows in accordance with its NPDES permit.
tens of thousands of Lansing area kids DALMAC bike many times, including
and adults. last fall. He was out biking the week The Project Plan includes projects identified as part of the Asset Management Plan prepared
The cultivation and cross-pollination before his death, the cause of which has in 2017 and the 2020 Combined Sewer System Modeling and Master Plan Report. The Project
Plan includes five collection system projects and three wastewater projects. These projects are
of people from business, government, not been disclosed. proposed to be completed over the next five years as summarized below:
the arts and education harks back to According to Bernero, the recent
EGLE SRF Fiscal Year 2021 Projects:
the words “we must cultivate our gar- COVID-19 quarantine considerably
den,” from one of Davis’ favorite books, cramped his style, even at 81 years old. Project Project Cost SRF Eligible Portion of Project
Voltaire’s “Candide.” Davis was also an “He never complained about any- W-1 Primary Clarifier, Aeration, and $34,631,000 $34,631,000
North Secondary Improvements
avid book collector, favoring books that thing, an ache or a pain, and he must
he felt “promoted and brought about have had some,” Bernero said. “But he EGLE SRF Fiscal Year 2023 Projects:
change,” like Alex Haley’s “Roots” and hated this stay-at-home thing, espe- Project Project Cost SRF Eligible Portion of Project
Betty Friedan’s “The Feminine Mys- cially when the weather was cold and C-2 River/Waters Edge and Milford- $9,930,000 $5,156,190
tique,” along with classics by Ernest he couldn’t get on a bike.” Gunson Sewer Improvements
C-5 Wilmarth-Woodmere Relief $3,630,000 $3,630,000
Hemingway, Mark Twain and F. Scott Jodway hoped Davis would be grant- W-2 Administration Building Improvements $4,000,000 $4,000,000
Fitzgerald. ed a full, long retirement, with plenty
Friends testify that Davis actually EGLE SRF Fiscal Year 2025 Projects:
of time to enjoy his kids and grandkids
read the books, unlike many collectors. and do the traveling he loved. Project Project Cost SRF Eligible Portion of Project
Davis, who was comfortable finan- “I wanted him to get that time to C-1 Elm/Valley Sewer District Improvements $6,290,000 $2,471,970
C-3 Cowley-Highland-Kensington Sewer $2,740,000 $1,043,940
Improvements
CITY PULSE C-4 Shaw Estates Sewer Separation
W-3 Secondary Clarifier Improvements
$5,480,000
$19,309,000
$5,480,000
$19,309,000
DIGITAL READERSHIP The total project cost for all of the projects is $86,010,000. The SRF eligible project cost
is $75,722,100. Not all of the proposed projects may be completed, depending on the needs
identified as the fiscal year approaches.
IS OVER THE MOON! Beneficial impacts of the proposed projects include partial separation of combined sewers, which
will remove storm water from the collection system and decrease combined sewer overflows and
retention treatment basin discharges. In addition, the likelihood of flooding and sewer backups in
the collection system project areas will be reduced. The wastewater projects will replace existing
assets that have reached the end of their useful life and install equipment that is more energy
efficient, resulting in significant energy savings. The secondary treatment capacity of the Water
Resource Recovery Facility during periods of peak flows will also be increased. This will allow
additional treatment to occur at the facility and reduce combined sewer overflows and retention
ADVERTISERS: basin discharges. Adverse impacts are all short term, including temporary disturbance of the
surrounding areas due to construction, traffic disruption, dust, and noise. There are no expected
long-term, negative impacts from any of the proposed projects.
We’re reaching the Now, for a limited time:
The City plans to fund the construction of the SRF eligible portion of the projects through low
local community like Buy interest EGLE loans. Non-eligible project costs will be paid from cash on hand. The predicted
never before web advertising increased quarterly cost to a typical residential user in the City of East Lansing will be as follows:
Our website has
660,000 page views and receive Fiscal Year Projected Quarterly User Cost Increase if
in the last 30 days and 33% OFF print All Scheduled Projects Completed
420,000 unique visitors advertising. 2021
2023
$9.18
$12.08
2025 $17.36
Total $38.62
The Project Plan will be posted on the City’s website for review. Copies of the Project Plan will
also be available for public inspection upon conclusion of the Governor’s Stay At Home Order at
the following locations:
• East Lansing Department of Public Works, 1800 East State Road, East Lansing, Michigan 48823
• City Clerk’s Office, 410 Abbot Road, East Lansing, Michigan 48823
• East Lansing Public Library, 950 Abbot Road, East Lansing, Michigan 48823
All participants must abide by all State and local restrictions in place due to Covid-19.
Written comments will be accepted up to seven (7) days after the date of the Public Hearing and will
receive responses included in the Final Project Plan. All written communications should be sent
to Mr. Bob Scheuerman, PE, Assistant Engineering Administrator, Department of Public Works,
410 Abbot Road, East Lansing, MI 48823 or can be emailed to bscheue@cityofeastlansing.com.
CP#20-127
For more information, contact | Berl Schwartz | 517-999-5061 or publisher@lansingcitypulse.com
10 www.lansingcitypulse.com City Pulse • June 3, 2020
Common ground at last?
seen how having money makes a dif- ments are throwing every dollar they
ference in the justice system. Those have into getting adequate police offi-
with means can pay for experts, inves- cers on the street.
tigators and quality legal representa- Irwin said putting a continuing
George Floyd’s death could unite Dems, tion.
For now, though, Lucido said he’s
education requirement in the bill
“would be a great idea” and some-
Republicans on one issue ready to expand this discussion to thing he’s heard from colleagues, the
The frosty tensions legislation slated to be taken up in a police officer training. administration and police officers,
POLITICS
between Republican Senate committee on Thursday. “It’s not easy being a cop. I know, alike.
and Democratic Sen. Pete Lucido, R-Shelby Twp., my cousin is a cop. It’s a hard job. But “People recognize the lack of con-
senators over how said his Senate Judiciary and Public you can do better justice and see bet- tinuing education and if there’s an
quickly the gover- Safety Committee will be taking up ter outcomes by helping people than effort to amend the bill to do that, I’d
nor is reopening the Ann Abor Democrat Sen. Jeff Irwin’s hurting them,” Lucido said. be interested in doing so,” he said.
economy is showing SB 0945, which puts the training of Irwin’s SB 0945 was introduced last More Republicans are showing
a sign of thawing police officers into state law. Thursday, three days after bystanders interest in the bill, too, Irwin said,
amid the nationwide “The sensitivities of defendants and caught on video a Minneapolis police which he said is the tip of what can
reaction to the death of George Floyd. officers don’t often meet. They clash,” officer kneeling on Floyd’s neck for be done to address police violence.
Today, there’s an opportunity to Lucido said. “The officer who had close to nine minutes. An indepen- Independent investigations and citi-
unite behind something that isn’t his knee on George Floyd’s windpipe dent autopsy concluded he died from zens oversight of police departments
haircuts or boat docks or presidential committed murder. Even the victim “asphyxiation from sustained pres- are other pieces to a larger pie, Irwin
politics. It’s about addressing racial was saying he couldn’t breathe. The sure” on his neck. said.
biases and police brutality. officer showed no sensitivity. He Robert Stevenson, executive direc- The news comes the same day
Now that everyone has watched allowed the man to die.” tor of the Michigan Association of Sen. Marshall Bullock , D-Detroit,
Floyd die under the knee of a Lucido noted his committee has Chiefs of Police, said he’d prefer the addressed the chamber for the first
Minneapolis police officer, even taken testimony on economic, social bill address ongoing training stan- Senate session since this past week-
Michigan Senate Republicans are and racial inequalities in the criminal dards for existing police officers as end’s destructive protests in Lansing,
signing up. justice system before. People of color opposed to focusing on new recruits. Detroit and Grand Rapids, among
Incoming law enforcement offi- from poor communities end up being He said the Michigan Commission other places across the country.
cers would be required by law to go sentenced to longer terms behind bars on Law Enforcement Standards “I’m really tired of being sick and
through training on implicit bias than white people who commit the which oversees the training of new tired,” Bullock said.
and de-escalation techniques, along same crime, studies have shown. recruits, addresses many of the sub- “The real crux for me is silence.
with mental health screening, under An attorney by trade, Lucido has jects Irwin brings up in his bill as part Silence about racism. Silence about
of its training. He’d prefer the com- police brutality. Silence about incen-
mission retain its flexibility to adjust tive conduct and the implicit conduct
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS its training subjects without needing make you guilty. Racism is an issue
EAST LANSING PLANNING COMMISSION
an act of the state Legislature. you can’t be silent on,” he said.
Notice is hereby given of the following public hearings to be held by the East Lansing Planning
Commission on Wednesday, June 24, 2020 at 7:00 p.m., in the 54-B District Court, Courtroom
However, he said Michigan is one To that, Senate Appropriations
2, 101 Linden Street, East Lansing. of only a handful of states that doesn’t Committee Chair Jim Stamas,
require periodic training for exist- R-Midland, responded: “From lis-
1. A public hearing will be held to consider a Site Plan and Special Use Permit application
from CA-East Lansing, Inc. for the property at 1234 E. Grand River Avenue to create a ing officers, a continuing education tening to my good colleague on an
recreational marihuana retail establishment. The subject property is zoned East Village. requirement that is mandatory in important issue, I cannot sit in my
2. A public hearing will be held to consider a Site Plan and Special Use Permit application
other professions. chair. I now say, ‘Senator, I stand with
from Green Peak Industries, LLC d/b/a Green Peak Innovations for the property at 3315 Stevenson said he’d prefer the you. The silence must stop. We must
Coolidge Road to create a recreational marihuana retail establishment. The subject Legislature to create a permanent work together to stop the injustice.”
property is in the B-4, Restricted Office Business District.
funding stream to help local govern- (Kyle Melinn of the Capitol news
3. A public hearing will be held to consider a Site Plan and Special Use Permit application ments bolster their police training service MIRS is at melinnky@gmail.
from RJB Enterprises, LLC. for the property at 1950 Merritt Road to create a recreational budgets at a time when local govern- com.)
marihuana retail establishment. The subject property is in the B-1, General Office Business
District.
4. A public hearing will be held to consider a modified special use permit application from
Delta Gamma House Corporation for the property at 605 M.A.C Avenue to allow the CITY OF EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN
addition of three beds/occupants in the existing facility. The subject property is zoned NOTICE OF ADOPTION
RM-32, City Center Multi-Family Residential District. ORDINANCE NO. 1480
5. A public hearing will be held to consider a modified special use permit application from AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE ZONING USE DISTRICT MAP OF CHAPTER 50 -- ZONING
Marcorr Properties, LLC for the property at 2200 Coolidge Road to allow the removal of -- OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF EAST LANSING
the restriction on Sunday sales. The subject property is zoned B-5, Community Retail
Sales Business District. Please take notice that Ordinance No. 1480 was adopted by the City of East Lansing City Council
at their meeting held on May 26, 2020 and will become effective upon the expiration of seven (7)
Call (517) 319-6930, the Department of Planning, Building and Development, East Lansing City days after the publication of the following summary of ordinance.
Hall, 410 Abbot Road, East Lansing, for additional information. All interested persons will be given
an opportunity to be heard. These matters will be on the agenda for the next Planning Commission SUMMARY OF ORDINANCE NO. 1480
meeting after the public hearing is held, at which time the Commission may vote on them. The
Planning Commission's recommendations are then placed on the agenda of the next City Council THE CITY OF EAST LANSING ORDAINS:
meeting. The City Council will make the final decision on these applications.
Ordinance 1480 amends the Zoning Use District Map by rezoning a portion of the Albert Avenue
Note: This hearing is currently scheduled to occur as a regular public hearing at the meeting. If, at right-of-way and City Parking Lot #4 from C, Community Facilities, to B-3, City Center Commercial
the time of this hearing meetings are still not permitted under an Executive Order of the Governor District.
and an Executive Order permitting meetings electronically allows for an electronic meeting, this
hearing will occur electronically and a notice of the means of participation in that hearing will be A true copy of Ordinance No. 1480 can be inspected or obtained at the Office of the City Clerk at
published in compliance with the Open Meetings Act and any relevant Executive Orders. City Hall, 410 Abbot Road, East Lansing, Michigan during normal business hours.
Jennifer Shuster Jennifer Shuster
City Clerk CP#20-130 City Clerk CP#20-128City Pulse • June 3, 2020 www.lansingcitypulse.com 11
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Shards and tears
Skyler Ashley/City Pulse
A protester speaks to a police officer
on Washington Square after the first
Without warning, protesters hit round of tear gas had cleared.
with tear gas in tense night
T
he cleanup was already under the destruction seen in other cities, but the Soon afterward, another march moved
way by dawn Monday. Volunteers sequence of events raised serious questions east toward MSU.
began to undo the physical dam- about police tactics used in Lansing and The march arrived at East Lansing City
age that swept through downtown Lansing across the country in response to protest- Hall, where a police cruiser parked at the
in a chaotic miasma of tear gas, frightened ers, especially the use of tear gas and the Police parking lot was damaged.
cries and broken windows the night before. crowding of protesters into enclosed spaces. When police confronted protesters on
Piecing together the shards of civil soci- The day began with a peaceful march Park Lane, the march moved toward the
ety broken in the wake of the murder of through downtown Lansing, protest- Target store on Grand River Avenue. While
George Floyd by police, and the ensuing ing the police killing of George Floyd in some people appeared ready to break into
unrest continuing to sweep dozens of cities Minneapolis. The march kicked off from the store, protesters formed a line to pre-
across the nation, is another matter. the Capitol soon after 11 a.m. Sunday and vent them, according to an eyewitness. The
The chaos in Lansing stopped short of finished about 1:30 p.m. without incident.
See Riots, Page 16City Pulse • June 3, 2020 www.lansingcitypulse.com 13
Protesters’ prospectives
Six share why they participated in Sunday’s protests
Interviews and pictures by Cole Tunningley.
Romello Peebles, 19, from Lansing, has Andrea Smith, 50, also from Lansing, Jaylen Hawkins, 19, lifelong Lansing res-
been stopped by the police for no rea- held up a sign listing the names of black Eric Briggs, 42, from Lansing, was ident. “I’m here because I saw a video
son multiple times. And he said he’s tired men who were killed by police. She said, peacefully filming the police with his and it struck my heart,” he said, referring
of watching it happen to other people “I’m here because black lives do matter. phone until he got tear gassed. When I to the video of Minnesota Police Officer
around the country. We need to stand up. Now is the time. It’s saw him, he was running away from the Derek Chauvin killing George Floyd by
“I’ve been judged a lot. Walking down been going on for so long.” line of cops, holding his face and crying. kneeling on his neck.
the street, I get stopped. They ask where Smith said that she has two boys. She He sat down on a bench and begged for “8 minutes and 42 seconds. But he
I’m going. They ask for my name, and had to teach them lessons about how to help. was passed out by the fourth minute. The
then they don’t believe me when I tell it to navigate a dangerous, racist world. “I can’t see,” he yelled, along with a extra four minutes were just brutality,”
them,” said Peebles. “We as black people have to teach our string of profanities. said Hawkins.
“No matter what I’m doing, even if I’m children that they have to be careful when I spritzed his eyes with water, a com- Hawkins watched livestreams and news
just going to the store. I hate the hassle of they’re approached by police, no matter mon cleansing tactic that was used by reports of the protests that had happened
being afraid to go out because I could get what the situation is. many protesters throughout the day. the day before in Detroit. “Detroit’s a
in trouble. If it was a different individual, I “They’re taught at a young age that they “I was calm, cool and collected. And tough place, but I think the police handled
know they wouldn’t be stopped.” have to fight, be smarter, work harder. they tear gassed me,” he said. “That’s not the confrontation last night well,” he said.
Peebles said that he believes all police They have to know — at any time — their right at all. You can quote me on that.” “At least, way better than I expected.”
departments have good and bad officers. lives are at stake,” she said. He said, “If it wasn’t for you squirting In reference to looting, he said, “All
“But the bad ones have all the power,” he water with my eyes, I’d probably be sitting we’re doing is striking back at the gov-
explained. “They use the badge to bully down on the ground with no eyesight still.” ernment and putting their money in our
people.” pockets.”
Larry Kirchhoff, 49, of Lansing, was standing
at the back of the Capitol lawn with his fami- Laura Harms, 50, a Lansing res-
ly. They were all wearing BLM gear. “I’m here ident, showed up to the Capitol
because I think police brutality is just another armed with a homemade soapbox
form of institutional racism. Colin Kaepernick and megaphone.
brought this injustice to life years ago. And we “These protests are definitely
ignored him. inspiring. What’s been happening
“So, here we are, four years later with the at night — the looting and the riot-
same issues. We’re seeing the consequenc- ing and everything — it saddens my
es of our own ignorance,” said Kirchhoff. He heart,” said Harms.
said that the United States needs to address “But I also understand that peo-
the roots of its problems, or things will never ple have been pushed up against a
change. wall. It’s time for something to break
“We create the problem, fix it and then loose. No justice, no peace.”
deal with the same problem again later,” he She said that the atmosphere at
explained. the Capitol was politically charged.
Watching footage of looting and rioting from “We’re out here because we’re
protests around the country made Kirchoff motivated by racial discrepancies
nervous to come out to the Capitol. But he did and racial disparities between differ-
it anyway to support the cause. ent groups of people in this country.
“We’re here today, and we really hope the We have created this mess, and we
same thing doesn’t happen here in Lansing,” have to fix it right now,” she said.
he said.14 www.lansingcitypulse.com City Pulse • June 3, 2020 City Pulse • June 3, 2020 www.lansingcitypulse.com 15
1 2 3 1. The initial crowd peacefully gathered at the Capitol
Sunday
2. A protester lies on the ground as part of a demonstra-
tion decrying the death of George Floyd.
3. The first march down saw protesters walk down
Michigan Avenue.
4. Protesters began dancing upon returning to the Capitol
after the first march.
5. A burned car on Washington Square. The driver was
seen driving recklessly among people walking in the street
on Washington Square after the protest march had ended.
Skyler Ashley/City Pulse
Skyler Ashley/City Pulse
7
4 5 Skyler Ashley/City Pulse
6 6-8. Police used tear gas
to drive rioters away from
the burning car lest the fire
spread.
8 Berl Schwartz/City Pulse
Skyler Ashley/City Pulse
Skyler Ashley/City Pulse
9 Berl Schwartz/City Pulse
Skyler Ashley/City Pulse
10 11 9. A man comforts his son after he was
exposed to tear gas.
10. Firefighters putting out a dumpster
fire on W. Allegan Street.
11. Police set up a line not to cross with
their bikes as they confront protesters
at the Comerica Bank building on the
northwest corner of Washington Square
and Michigan Avenue.
Cole Tunningley/City Pulse Berl Schwartz/City Pulse
Skyler Ashley/City Pulse16 www.lansingcitypulse.com City Pulse • June 3, 2020
Community rallies around damaged downtown storefronts
Hundreds gather for
Monday morning cleanup
after downtown riot
Lansing is resilient.
After protests against police brutal-
ity eventually turned to riots Sunday
night, downtown Lansing had seen
some far better days. Dozens of win-
dows were smashed. Spray paint
— with phrases like “Fuck 12” and
“BLM” — was emblazoned across
both brick and glass.
The damage is still being assessed,
but officials expect it’ll be tens of
thousands of dollars.
All told, more than a dozen local
businesses saw some degree of van- Skyler Ashley/City Pulse Berl Schwartz/City Pulse
dalism by Monday morning. But Left: A broken window at Linn & Owens Jewelers.
nearly as soon as Mayor Andy Schor’s Right: A woman paints a mural on a board covering the broken windows at the jewelry shop.
overnight curfew had been lifted at
5 a.m., the community was already
forming a new sort of rally in the
Property damage list
aftermath: Cleaning up the mess. AT&T, 221 N. Washington Square
By 9 a.m. Monday, most local Barberrettes, 410 S. Washington
businesses that had windows shat- Square
tered already had crews boarding
up storefronts and assessing repairs. Boji Tower, 124 W. Allegan St.
Hundreds scrubbed graffiti from Chase Bank, 201 S. Washington
walls, or chalked over them with col- Square
orful, flowery murals and a broad
message for unity among local resi- Comerica Bank, 101 N. Washington
dents. Square
“We as a community have a long Firehouse Subs, 200 S. Washington
way to go when it comes to recovery Square
and healing, but yesterday was one of
the first steps,” said Cathleen Edgerly, George W. Romney Building, 111 S.
director of Downtown Lansing Inc. Capitol Ave.
An early-morning grounds crew J.W. Knapp Co. Building, 300 S.
hosed off graffiti from the steps of Washington Square
the Michigan State Capitol. The
MLive Media Group building has Lansing Police Department, 120 W.
“Love Lansing” spray painted across Michigan Ave.
a boarded window. Linn & Owens Jewelers, 223 S.
Windows at Strange Matter were Washington Square
covered with hopeful sentiments
like “Justice,” “Hope,” and “Equality.” Marketing Resource Group, 225 S.
Boards covering broken glass at Linn Washington Square
& Owens Jewelers were painted over Kyle Kaminski/City Pulse MLive Media Group, 108 S.
with bright lines and little red hearts. Volunteers scrub graffiti — including phrases like "Fuck MDOC" — off brick Washington Square
The local community was quick to walls in downtown Lansing. By Monday evening, most of the damage had been
bounce back. repaired. Office Building, 230 N. Washington
Mary Dunker, a jeweler at Linn & Square
Owens, said two local residents, John gather the next morning and pitch on the clean-up themselves. Michael Phoenix Building, 222 N.
Ross and Fred Armstrong, came into in. Others came on their own accord. Doherty’s massive marijuana compa- Washington Square
the shop on Monday morning with A local musician swept glass in front ny Rehbel Industries also sponsored
more than $500 in clocks that they of the Lansing Symphony Orchestra 200 lunches for volunteers on the Sultan’s Express, 305 S.
had rescued from the storefront after offices on Washington Square, just to scene. Washington Square
its windows were shattered Sunday. show support for the organization. “Residents working together to Washington Court Place, 309 N.
“They just live over here and want- Schor and other city officials, move Lansing forward is what our Washington Square
ed to do a good thing,” Dunker added. including City Council members Peter city is all about,” Schor said.
Some volunteers answered a call Spadafore and Patricia Spitzley, talk- — KYLE KAMINSKI YMCA of Metropolitan Lansing, 119
from Downtown Lansing Inc. to ed with volunteers — and pitched in N. Washington SquareYou can also read
