[LMich]

I can't believe I hadn't seen that aerial earlier, Mr. Nick. Where'd you find it? Man, you know how big the former LCA plant was, but you don't really realize it until you see it above. That's an amazing development opportunity. You could increase the size of downtown by about 50% if it was ever developed in such a way.

Anyway:

Report: Lansing's economic growth among best in state

Susan Vela • suvela@lsj.com • October 6, 2009 • From LSJ.com

The Lansing area’s growth in gross domestic product ranked among the top three regions in the state in a recently-released report due to the strength of the local financial industry and more than a half-billion dollars in private investment, according to city officials.

The region matched Battle Creek and fell behind only Kalamazoo in the 2005-2008 report by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, said Bob Trezise, president and CEO of the Lansing Economic Development Corp. GDP is a term used to describe output of goods and services.

The region’s 9.2 percent growth trailed the 11.2 percent increase in Kalamazoo. That compared to 14.2 percent for Madison, Wisc., and 11.6 percent for Indianapolis, according to Trezise.

“This is empirical evidence that our strategy for growing Lansing’s economy is working,” he said. “Even in these challenging economic times, Lansing continues to shine as one of the few regions in Michigan that are winning the battle for new jobs and investments.”

...

And this:

Downtown On Register of Historic Places

Downtown Lansing is on the National Register of Historic Places.

More than 80 buildings spanning 15 blocks received the distinction this summer, said Brian Anderson, director of urban development and legislative affairs for the Lansing Economic Development Corp.

The district is bound by Ionia Street, Hillsdale Street, Walnut Street and Grand Avenue, he said.

Of the 93 buildings in the area, 84 are historically significant and eligible for historic preservation tax credits. The incentive covers 20 percent of rehabilitation costs.

Anderson said the designation poses no restrictions to development.