If you could fly over Lansing in a hot-air balloon in 5-10 years, what would you hope to see?

On a smaller scale, if you were to walk down any given Lansing neighborhood street in 5-10 years, what would you want to see?

What is your vision for Lansing, and how can we work together on a shared vision?

In a nutshell these are my goals for Lansing:

• Create good jobs by ensuring prompt redevelopment of GM sites, revitalizing business districts and encouraging partnerships with MSU, labor, business and others in the region
• Treat all people with respect by including them in Lansing’s rebirth, caring for those who are unable to meet basic needs, working for fairness and equality and improving Lansing schools
• Protect the environment by keeping pollution out of our rivers and streams, improving energy conservation and efficiency programs, making Lansing a walk-and-bike friendly city and preserving and enhancing parks and greenspace

Some of the finer details in my vision of a vibrant, healthy, and neighborly Lansing...

Economic Development & Good Jobs

• Currently boarded up storefronts are filled with businesses that offer goods and services both for nearby residents and the people who travel through Lansing each day. These businesses are providing jobs and services within walking distance of neighborhoods, and paying wages and offering benefits that allow people to get by on one job.

• A full-service grocery store opens and thrives in Downtown Lansing or on Lansing's Westside (or both!)

• Vacant factory sites and other vacant buildings have been transformed into adaptive reuses or greenspaces.

Caring for Our People 

• Public schools become places that everyone feels good about sending their kids to, where they know their children can learn, grow, and thrive in a safe, challenging, and caring environment.
• All people are included in decisions about their neighborhoods and their community, and are asked to take part in community improvements.
• People who need temporary or ongoing help with housing, food, clothing, and other basic needs are cared for.
• People communicate with and trust their neighbors and feel good about the people they live around. People have more tools for addressing concerns with their neighbors in productive and respectful ways.
• People are not discriminated against because of race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, the presence of any physical, sensory or mental disability, status as Veterans, status as a disabled, or employment.

Caring for Our Environment

• Lansing has a Low Impact Development Ordinance that requires all new development and road construction projects to include storm water runoff mitigation techniques such as less parking, bioswales, rain gardens, permeable pavement, and green roofs.
• Lansing has residential and commercial energy conservation and efficiency programs equal to or better than the best in the nation. Lansing uses all methods that are available and feasible to reduce dependence on coal-fired electricity.
• Lansing has a non-motorized network equal to the best in the nation, which includes sidewalks, bike lanes, bike routes, trails, curb cuts and safe crossings, and other accessibility and bike and pedestrian friendly features.
• We could canoe and kayak and maybe even swim in the Grand and Red Cedar Rivers without worrying about pollutants and contaminants. 
• Wild, open spaces and greenspaces are preserved and/or improved to make them more environmentally friendly (ie. through eco-friendly lawn care practices and recycling programs).

CORE ISSUES 

Economic Development & Good Jobs

Caring for Our People & Neighborhoods

Caring for Our Environment

"You've got your whole life to do something and that's not very long."

- Ani Difranco