Lansing marks start of construction for 'pivotal' downtown performing arts center
LANSING — Shovels pitched dirt Wednesday morning as Lansing officials officially kicked off construction of The Ovation, a performing arts and entertainment venue that officials said will revitalize the city's downtown.
Greater Lansing leaders dug what Lansing Mayor Andy Schor called "pretend dirt" Wednesday at 500 and 520 S. Washington Ave., on the corner of West Lenawee Street, just around the corner from the nearly-completed City View Apartments. Schor's comment was an acknowledgement that leaders were standing on a concrete slab, moving dirt placed there for the day's event.
Props aside, the long-awaited venue will be designed as a flexible space to accommodate a variety of performances, from large-scale music concerts to independent films to networking events, and to bring people downtown to support local businesses.
Michigan State University Federal Credit Union President and CEO April Clobes presented a $1 million check to the city to secure naming rights for the center for five years. It will be known as MSUFCU Ovation.
Schor and Cathleen Edgerly, executive director of Downtown Lansing Inc., touted the development as vital to restarting the city's stagnant downtown neighborhood.
"A project like The Ovation and what it will bring for Michigan's downtown and, as the mayor said, the entire region is so pivotal," Edgerly said. "It's going to support so many of our local businesses in the surrounding blocks and neighborhoods."
More funding secured for venue: Michigan Strategic Fund board gives $5M for Lansing entertainment venue
What is The Ovation?
The Ovation will bring concerts back to Lansing, officials said. Schor said during a press conference Wednesday that people would soon no longer need to travel to Grand Rapids, Detroit or Mt. Pleasant for entertainment.
"But in terms of concert halls, we have a need," Schor said. "We're excited for Grewal Hall, which is down the road, that's a little bit smaller. We need a place with national acts coming."
Grewal Hall at 224 is down the street at 224 S. Washington Square and is expected to open this summer. It will hold about 900 people, have a 225-person banquet area and a 400-person theater capacity. Tickets are on sale now for an 8 p.m. July 15 show featuring The Verve Pipe band.
A third party will handle talent bookings for the MSUFCU Ovation, Dominic Cochran, director of the Lansing Public Media Center, said in February 2022.
So far, around $20 million in funding has been secured for The Ovation, Schor told the State Journal. He said funding is subject to change as the city is seeking to acquire more sponsorships and deals as they seek to add a public rooftop bar to the facility. Schor said more brownfield money could become available in the future.
Scott Bean, a spokesperson for the city, said the cost to construct the two-story, 49,000-square-foot facility downtown is about $17.7 million. It recently gained a $5 million performance-based grant from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation in November.
When will it open?
Schor told the State Journal Wednesday he projected the facility to open sometime between November 2024 and January 2025, "depending on a lot of things."
The venue would hold 2,025 standing-room-only spots plus 1,805 seats for concerts, Schor told the State Journal.
More: Lansing unveils plans for 2,025-person music and arts venue 'The Ovation'
Will it just host the performing arts?
No. The property is expected to have ample retail and bar space to bring people to the facility nearly every day. The Lansing Public Media Center will move its offices to the location once completed.
It's projected to also have Capital City Film Festival offices, a film and video equipment rental library, multi-purpose collaboration rooms for local arts organizations and classrooms available to school groups.
Won't it take away business from The Wharton Center?
No. Schor said the city has been in close talks with leadership at The Wharton Center, encouraging the city to fulfill this venture in order to supplement the lineup the East Lansing center has. A request for comment was left with Wharton Center Executive Director Eric Olmscheid, who was not immediately available.
"They had a rapper who called and said 'I want to do rapping at the Wharton' and they were like, 'there's people seated in seats,'" Schor said.
The Wharton Center is known in the area for its Broadway shows, theatrical productions and the like. It has hosted the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, "Wicked" and other major nationally touring acts.
"We're not doing Broadway shows here," Schor said. "We're doing concerts, comedians and active standing events."
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Contact reporter Krystal Nurse at 517-267-1344 or knurse@lsj.com. Follow her on Twitter @KrystalRNurse.
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Lansing breaks ground on downtown performing arts venue The Ovation
