Lansing, Michigan

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

"Lansing" redirects here. For other uses, see Lansing (disambiguation).
City of Lansing
view of downtown
view of downtown
Flag of City of Lansing
Flag		 Official seal of City of Lansing
Seal
Location in Ingham County, Michigan1
Location in Ingham County, Michigan1
Coordinates: 42°44′0.6″N 84°32′48.12″W / 42.7335, -84.5467
Country United States
State Michigan
Counties Ingham, Eaton
Settled 1835
Incorporation 1859
Government
 - Type Strong Mayor-Council
 - Mayor Virg Bernero (D)
Area
 - City 35.2 sq mi (91.3 km²)
 - Land 35.0 sq mi (90.8 km²)
 - Water 0.20 sq mi (0.50 km²)
 - Urban 136.8 sq mi (354.4 km²)
 - Metro 1,714.6 sq mi (4,440.8 km²)
Elevation 860 ft (262 m)
Population (2000)
 - City 119,128
 - Density 3,403.6/sq mi (1,312.3/km²)
 - Urban 300,032
 - Metro 454,044
 - Demonym Lansingite
Time zone EST (UTC-5)
 - Summer (DST) EDT (UTC-4)
ZIP code 48901-48980 [1]
Area code(s) 517
FIPS code 26-46000[1]
GNIS feature ID 1625035[2]
Website: http://www.cityoflansingmi.com

Lansing (pronounced /ˈlænsɪŋ/ "LAN-cing") is the capital city of the U.S. state of Michigan, and the state's sixth largest city. It is located mostly in Ingham County, although small portions of the city extend into Eaton County. As of the 2000 census, it has a population of 119,128, an Urbanized Area (UA) population of 300,032, and, as of July 1, 2007, a Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) population of 456,440[3]. The even larger Combined Statistical Area (CSA) population, which includes Shiawassee County, is estimated at 528,193[4].

The Lansing metropolitan area, colloquially referred to as "Mid-Michigan," is an important center for educational, cultural, governmental, business, and high-tech manufacturing institutions, including three medical schools (two human medicine and one veterinary), two nursing schools, two law schools, a Big Ten Conference university (Michigan State), the state capital, the state Supreme Court and Court of Appeals, a federal court, the Library of Michigan and Historical Center, and headquarters of four national insurance companies.

Lansing is the only U.S. state capital (among the 46 located in counties) that is not also a county seat. The county seat of Ingham County is Mason, Michigan, but the county maintains some offices in Lansing.

Contents

[edit] History

The area that is now Lansing was originally surveyed in 1825 in what was then dense forest. There would be no roads to this area for decades to come.[5]

In the winter of 1835 and early 1836, two brothers from New York plotted the area now known as REO Town just south of downtown Lansing and named it "Biddle City." All of this land lay in a floodplain and was underwater during the majority of the year. Regardless, the brothers went back to New York, specifically Lansing, New York, to sell plots for the town that did not exist. They told the residents of Lansing, New York that this new "city" had an area of 65 blocks, contained a church and also a public and academic square. A group of 16 men bought plots in the nonexistent city and upon reaching the area later that year found they had been scammed. Many in the group too disappointed to stay ended up settling around what is now Metropolitan Lansing. Those who stayed quickly renamed the area "Lansing Township" in honor of their home village in New York.[5]

The sleepy settlement of fewer than 20 people would remain dormant until the winter of 1847 when the state constitution required that the capital be moved from Detroit to a more centralized and safer location in the interior of the state since many were concerned about Detroit's close proximity to British-controlled Canada, which had captured Detroit in the War of 1812. The United States had recaptured the city in 1813, but these events led to the dire need to have the center of government relocated away from hostile British territory. In addition, there was also concern with Detroit's strong influence over Michigan politics, being the largest city in the state as well as the capital city.[5]

During the multi-day session to determine a new location for the state capital, many cities, including Ann Arbor, Marshall, and Jackson, lobbied hard to win this designation[6]. Unable to publicly reach a consensus due to constant political wrangling, the Michigan House of Representatives privately chose the Township of Lansing out of frustration. When announced, many present openly laughed that such an insignificant settlement was now the capital city of Michigan. Two months later, the governor William L. Greenly signed into law the act of the legislature officially making Lansing Township the state capital.[5]

With the announcement that Lansing Township had been made the capital, the small village quickly transformed into the seat of state government. The legislature gave the settlement the temporary name of the "Town of Michigan." In April 1848, the legislature then gave the settlement the name of "Lansing." Within months after it became the capital city, individual settlements began to develop along three key points along the Grand River in the township.[5]

"Lower Village/Town," where present-day Old Town stands, was the oldest of the three villages. It was home to the first house built in Lansing in 1843 by pioneer James Seymour and his family. Lower Town began to develop in 1847 with the completion of the Franklin Avenue (now Grand River Avenue) covered bridge over the Grand River. [2]

Michigan State Capitol
Michigan State Capitol

"Upper Village/Town," where present-day REO Town stands at the confluence of the Grand River and the Red Cedar River. It began to take off in 1847 when the Main Street Bridge was constructed over the Grand River. This village's focal point was the Benton House, a 4-story hotel which opened in 1848. It was the first brick building in Lansing and was later razed in 1900. [3]

"Middle Village/Town," where downtown Lansing now stands, was the last of the three villages to develop in 1848 with the completion of the Michigan Avenue bridge across the Grand River and the completion of the temporary capitol building which sat where Cooley Law School stands today on Capitol Avenue in between Allegan and Washtenaw Streets, and finally the relocation of the post office to the village in 1851. This area would grow to become larger than the other two villages up and down river. For a brief time the combined villages were referred to as "Michigan" but was officially named Lansing in 1848. [4]

In 1859, the settlement having grown to nearly 3,000 and encompassing about 7 square miles (18 km²) in area was incorporated as a city. The boundaries of the original city were Douglas Avenue to the north, Wood and Regent Streets to the east, Mount Hope Avenue to the south, and Jenison Aveune to the west. These boundaries would remain unchanged until 1916. Lansing began to grow steadily over the next two decades with the completion of the railroads through the city, a plank road, and the completion of the current capitol building in 1878.

Most of what is known as Lansing today is the direct result of the city becoming an industrial powerhouse which began with the founding of Olds Motor Vehicle Company in August 1897. The company went through many changes, including a buyout, between its founding to 1905 when founder Ransom E. Olds started his new company REO Motor Car Company, which would last in Lansing for another 70 years. Olds would be joined by the less successful Clarkmobile around 1903.[7] Over the next decades, the city would see itself transformed into a major American industrial center for the manufacturing of automobiles and automobile parts among other industries. The city continued to grow in area too. By 1956, the city had grown to 15 square miles (39 km²), and doubled in size over the next decade to its current size of roughly 33 square miles (85 km²). [5]

Today, the city's economy is now diversified among government service, healthcare, manufacturing, insurance, banking, and education.

[edit] Timeline

 This article may require cleanup to meet Wikipedia's quality standards.
Please improve this article if you can. (March 2008)
Lansing, MI 1890
Lansing, MI 1890
Historical populations
Census Pop.  %±
1850 1,299
—
1860 3,074 136.6%
1870 5,241 70.5%
1880 8,319 58.7%
1890 13,102 57.5%
1900 16,485 25.8%
1910 31,229 89.4%
1920 57,327 83.6%
1930 78,397 36.8%
1940 78,753 0.5%
1950 92,129 17%
1960 107,807 17%
1970 131,403 21.9%
1980 130,414 −0.8%
1990 127,321 −2.4%
2000 119,128 −6.4%
Est. 2006 114,276 −4.1%
Michigan Supreme Court at the Hall of Justice, opened in 2002
Michigan Supreme Court at the Hall of Justice, opened in 2002
  • 1825 – Lansing Township surveyed.
  • 1836 – A group of New York speculators plot and market a non-existent city known as "Biddle City." The New Yorkers that bought into the idea arrive in Lansing to discover that the plots they had bought are located in a marsh, and are underwater. Some of the pioneers stay, but develop a village in what is now Old Town Lansing a mile north of the non-existent "Biddle City."
  • 1847 – The state capital moved from Detroit to Lansing Township.
  • 1855 – Michigan State University is founded as the Agricultural College of the State of Michigan.
  • 1859 – The city of Lansing officially incorporated with about 3,000 citizens inside of 7.5 square miles.
  • 1879 – New State Capitol dedicated. The structure cost $1,510,130.
  • 1881 – Michigan Millers Insurance Company founded.
  • 1897 – Ransom E. Olds drives his first car down a Lansing street. He would later found Oldsmobile, which became a General Motors division in 1908, and Diamond REO.
  • 1904 – The "most extensive flood in 135 years of local history" causes the Grand River to overflow its banks in March 24-27, leading to major damage and one death.[8] Bridges at Logan Street, Kalamazoo Street, Cedar Street and Mt. Hope Road are all washed away. The Kalamazoo St. bridge lodges against the Michigan Avenue bridge; it is later salvaged and re-erected at Kalamazoo Street.[9]
  • 1910 – The population of the city nearly doubles from the 1900 census to hit 31,229.
  • 1912 – The Accident Fund Insurance Company of America founded.
  • 1916 – Auto-Owners Insurance Company founded.
  • 1929 – The Lansing Symphony Orchestra founded.
  • 1940 – Lansing's population stagnates, only rising by 356 over the decade to 78,753.
  • 1954 – Frandor Mall opens – first in the area, and 2nd in the state.
  • 1956 – The city reaches 15 square miles (39 km²) in size.
  • 1957 – Lansing Community College founded.
  • 1960 – The city's population finally breaks the 100,000 mark at 107,807.
  • 1961 – Jackson National Life Insurance Company founded.
  • 1965 – The city reaches 33.3 square miles (86.2 km²) in size.
  • 1970 – Lansing reaches its peak population of 131,546.
  • 1972 – The Thomas M. Cooley Law School founded.
  • 1980 – Lansing's population declines for the first time losing 989 to hit 130,414.
  • 1989 – The Library of Michigan and Historical Center near the Capitol Complex dedicated.
  • 1992 – The Michigan State Capitol completes an extensive renovation to restore it to its original grandeur.
  • 1998 – Mayor David Hollister signs a 425 Agreement with Alaiedon Township in September to facilitate the development of the headquarters of Jackson National Life Insurance Company.
  • 1999 – Mayor David Hollister signs a 425 Agreement with Meridian Township in November to facilitate the development of the Governor's Collection/College Fields upscale housing development and golf course.
  • 2000 – Lansing's population experiences its greatest drop in its history, falling over 6% over the preceding decade to 119,128.
  • 2001 – GM opens new assembly plant, Lansing Grand River Assembly. Builds the Cadillac CTS, STS, SRX and V-Series. The architecture of the assembly plant resembles a high-tech research facility instead of a traditional factory.
  • 2002 – The Hall of Justice (Michigan Supreme Court building) at the West-end of the Capitol Complex is dedicated.
  • 2004 – Last Oldsmobile rolls off the assembly line at Lansing Car Assembly on April 29. This same year the Thomas M. Cooley Law School becomes the largest law school in the nation.
  • 2005 – Mayor Tony Benavides signs a series of three 425 Agreements with Delta Township and General Motors facilitating the development General Motors' Lansing Delta Township Assembly Plant.
  • 2006 – GM opens state of the art facility in nearby Delta Charter Township. As with the 2001 assembly plant built in Lansing, the Delta plant resembles a high-tech research facility and not a traditional factory.

[edit] Geography and climate

Lansing is the centerpiece of a region of Michigan known as Mid-Michigan or Central Michigan.

The North Lansing dam of the Grand River. The Lansing River Trail and Ottawa Street Power Station are visible behind.
The North Lansing dam of the Grand River. The Lansing River Trail and Ottawa Street Power Station are visible behind.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 35.2 square miles (91.3 km²), of which, 35.0 square miles (90.8 km²) of it is land and 0.2 square miles (0.5 km²) of it (0.57%) is water. This figure includes two 425 Agreements with Alaiedon Township and Meridian Township, but not the four 425 Agreements with Delta Township since 2000.

Under Michigan law, 425 Agreements are only temporary land sharing agreements, and do not count as official annexations. The Census Bureau, however, for statistical purposes, does count these as annexations. Not counting the temporary 425 Agreements, though, Lansing administers 34.1 sq mi, total.

Lansing is located in the south central part of the lower peninsula where the Grand River meets the Red Cedar River. The city occupies most of what had formerly been part of Lansing Charter Township. It has also annexed adjacent tracts of land in Delta Charter Township and Windsor Township in Eaton County to the west and Delhi Charter Township in Ingham County to the south. The city also controls three non-contiguous tracts of land through 425 Agreements (conditional land transfer agreements) with Meridian Charter Township, Delta Charter Township, and Alaiedon Township in Ingham County to the southeast.

The Ottawa Street Power Station
The Ottawa Street Power Station

Lansing elevation ranges between 890 feet (271 m) above sea level on the far south side of Lansing along Northrup Street near the Cedar Street intersection, to 830 feet (253 m) above sea level along the Grand River.

The Grand River, the largest river in Michigan, flows through downtown Lansing; and the Red Cedar River, a tributary of the Grand River, flows through the campus at Michigan State University. There are two lakes in the area, Park Lake and Lake Lansing, both northeast of the city. Lake Lansing is approximately 500 acres (2 km²) in size and is a summer favorite for swimmers, boaters, and fishermen. Michigan State University Sailing Club and the Lansing Sailing Club are located on Lake Lansing, where sailing regattas are hosted throughout the summer.

The city of Lansing operates a total of 3.6 sq mi (9.3 km²) of parkland, of which 2.8 sq mi (7.2 km²) is parkland, 0.5 sq mi (1.2 km²) are golflands, and 0.3 sq mi (0.7 km²) are cemetery lands. This figure includes the Waverly Hills Golf Course and adjacent Michigan Avenue Park, which are part of Lansing Township, but operated by the City of Lansing. The figure, however, does not include the Ingham County parklands within the borders of Lansing.[10]

Monthly Normal and Record High and Low Temperatures
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Rec High °F (°C) 66 (18.8) 69 (20.5) 79 (26.1) 86 (30) 94 (34.4) 99 (37.2) 100 (37.7) 100 (37.7) 97 (36.1) 89 (31.6) 77 (25) 69 (20.5)
Norm High °F (°C) 29.4 (-1.4) 32.6 (0.3) 43.5 (6.4) 56.6 (13.6) 69.4 (20.7) 78.1 (25.6) 82.1 (27.8) 79.7 (26.5) 72 (22.2) 59.8 (15.4) 46 (7.7) 34.1 (1.2)
Norm Low °F (°C) 13.9 (-10.05) 15.4 (-9.2) 24.3 (-4.3) 34.5 (1.4) 44.8 (7.1) 54.3 (12.4) 58.4 (14.6) 57 (13.4) 48.9 (9.4) 38.6 (3.6) 30.1 (-1.05) 19.7 (-6.8)
Rec Low °F (°C) -29 (-33.8) -25 (-31.6) -15 (-26.1) -2 (-18.8) 19 (-7.2) 30 (-1.1) 37 (2.7) 35 (1.6) 22 (-5.5) 15 (-9.4) 4 (-15.5) -18 (-27.7)
Precip in (mm) 1.61 (40.9) 1.45 (36.8) 2.33 (59.2) 3.09 (78.5) 2.71 (68.8) 3.6 (91.4) 2.68 (67.1) 3.46 (87.9) 3.48 (88.4) 2.29 (58.2) 2.66 (67.6) 2.17 (55.1)
Source: USTravelWeather.com [6]

[edit] Neighborhoods

Boji Tower, Lansing's tallest building, located downtown
Boji Tower, Lansing's tallest building, located downtown

The city's downtown is dominated by state government buildings, especially the State Capitol; but downtown has also experienced recent growth in new restaurants, retail stores and residential developments. Downtown Lansing has a historic city market that is one of the oldest continuously operating farmers' markets in the United States. Upriver and north of downtown is historic Old Town Lansing with many architecturally significant buildings dating to the mid-1800s. Directly south of downtown on the other side of I-496 along Washington Avenue lies "REO Town," the birthplace of the automobile in the United States, is where Ransom Eli Olds built factories along Washington Avenue. Ransom Eli Olds' home, which once overlooked the factories along Washington Ave., was displaced by I-496.

Lansing is generally divided into four sections: Eastside, Westside, Northwestside, and the Southside. Each section containins a diverse array of neighborhoods. The Eastside, located east of the Grand River and north of the Red Cedar River, is the most ethnically diverse side of Lansing, with foreign-born citizens making up more of its population than any other side in the city. The Eastside's commercial districts are located mainly along Michigan Avenue, and to a lesser extent along Kalamazoo Street. It is anchored by Frandor Shopping Center on the very eastern edge of the eastside.

The Westside, roughly located north, west, and south of the Grand River as it curves through the city, is sometimes regarded the city's most socio-economically diverse section. This side also contains Lansing's downtown area, though this neighborhood is often included as an area all its own. Outside downtown, this side is largely a collection of residential neighborhoods and is served by only one other commercial area along Saginaw Street. However, it also includes a small part of the Old Town Commercial Association.

The Northwestside, generally located north of the Grand River, with the city limits defining its north and western borders, is physically the smallest side of the city. This part of the city includes suburban areas and some more rural areas. North of Grand River Avenue, the main street of the side, lie warehouses and light industrial areas served by a major rail line that runs through Lansing. The most notable landmark of this side is Lansing's airport: Lansing Capital City Airport.

The Southside, usually described as the neighborhoods located south of the Grand and Red Cedar rivers and the I-496 freeway, is physically the largest and most populous side of the city, and contains some of the city's most healthy neighborhoods. The area is largely suburban in nature (south of Mount Hope Road near the northern edge), and is served by numerous commercial strips along Cedar Street, Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard, Pennsylvania Avenue, and Waverly Road, which run north/south. The large Edgewood District is located in the southernmost part of the Southside and is sometimes referred to as South Lansing. Though it is the largest area of the city by both physical size and population, it has often been regarded by Southside citizens as Lansing's most overlooked and forgotten area, as most of Lansing's attention in recent decades has been put into the revitalization of the city's historic core located mostly on small parts of both the East and Westsides.

[edit] Demographics

Michigan's State Capitol in Lansing
Michigan's State Capitol in Lansing

As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 119,128 people, 49,505 households, and 28,366 families residing in the city. The population density was 3,399.0 per square mile (1,312.3/km²). There were 53,159 housing units at an average density of 1,516.8/sq mi (585.6/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 65.28% White (61.4% non-Hispanic White), 21.91% African American, 0.80% Native American, 2.83% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 4.54% from other races, and 4.60% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 10.0% of the population. The city's foreign-born population stood at 5.9%.

As of 2000, the city's population rose by 32,293 (27%) to 151,421 during the day due to the influx of workers.[11]

There were 49,505 households out of which 30.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 35.8% were married couples living together, 17.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 42.7% were non-families. 33.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 3.08.

In the city the population was spread out with 26.8% under the age of 18, 11.4% from 18 to 24, 32.7% from 25 to 44, 19.3% from 45 to 64, and 9.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females there were 92.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.9 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $34,833, and the median income for a family was $41,283. Males had a median income of $32,648 versus $27,051 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,924. About 13.2% of families and 16.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.2% of those under age 18 and 9.0% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] Government

[edit] Municipal government

Lansing is administered under a mayor-council government, more specifically a "strong mayor" setup in which the mayor holds most of the city's administrative powers, such as appointment of department heads and drafting and administering a city budget, though the council must approve his actions. The mayor is elected at-large every four years. Lansing is different from most U.S. cities in that its eight-member city council includes four members each elected from one of four wards, as well as four "at-large" members elected citywide. The reasoning behind this system is that while each ward of the city gets its own representation, the at-large councilmembers serve as a voice for often- underrepresented neighborhoods in those wards.

Lansing City Hall & Lansing Police Department Central Precinct
Lansing City Hall & Lansing Police Department Central Precinct

The current mayor is Virgil Bernero, who took office on January 1, 2006. The city council members as of January 3, 2008 are: Eric Hewitt (1st Ward), Sandy Allen (2nd Ward), A'Lynne Robinson (3rd Ward), Tim Kaltenbach (4th Ward), Kathie Dunbar (at-large), Brian Jeffries (at-large and Council President), Derrick Quinney (at-large and Council Vice President) and Carol Wood (at-large).

[edit] State and federal representation

Lansing currently lies mostly within the boundaries of Michigan's 8th congressional district, which has been represented by Republican congressman Mike J. Rogers since 2001. The small portion of the city that extends into Eaton County is located in Michigan's 7th congressional district, which has been represented by Republican congressman Tim Walberg since 2006.

At the state level, Lansing is located in the 23rd district of the Michigan Senate, which has been represented by Democratic state senator Gretchen Whitmer since January 1, 2007. The small portion of the city that extends into Eaton County is located in the 24th district of the Michigan Senate, which is currently represented by Republican state senator Patricia L. Birkholz. The city lies in the 67th, 68th, 69th, and 71st districts of the Michigan State House of Representatives, represented by Democratic state representative Barb Byrum, Democratic state representative Joan Bauer, Democratic state representative Mark Meadows, and Republican state representative Rick Jones, respectively.

Despite Lansing not being a designated county seat, many county offices and courts are still located within downtown Lansing, including the county circuit court.

[edit] Economy

The Lansing metropolitan area's major industries are government, education, insurance, healthcare, and automobile manufacturing. Being the state capital, many state government workers reside in the area.

Michigan State University, Thomas M. Cooley Law School, and Lansing Community College are significant employers in the region.

The former Oldsmobile Headquarters and the Otto Eckert Power Station
The former Oldsmobile Headquarters and the Otto Eckert Power Station

General Motors has offices and a hi-tech manufacturing facility in Lansing and several manufacturing facilities immediately outside the city, as well, in nearby Lansing and Delta townships. The Lansing area is headquarters to four major national insurance companies: Auto-Owners Insurance Company, Jackson National Life, the Accident Fund, and Michigan Millers Insurance Company. The Lansing area is also home to rapidly growing financial companies such as Siena Capital Management and Capitol Bancorp Limited. Elderly Instruments, an internationally recognized music retailer, is located in Lansing.

The recent decline of the auto industry in the region has increased the region's awareness of the importance of a strategy to foster the high-technology sector.

  • An initiative called Prima Civitas, created by Michigan State University, in cooperation with the cities of Lansing and East Lansing, under the direction of former Lansing mayor David Hollister, is spearheading focused economic development in the technology sector in the region.
  • Early availability of high-speed Internet in 1996, as well as the MSU, Cooley Law School, and LCC student population, fostered an intellectual environment for information technology companies to incubate.

Lansing has a number of technology companies in the fields of information technology and Biotechnology.

  • Neogen Corporation is an international food and animal safety company headquartered in Lansing. Neogen develops and manufactures among other things, diagnostic kits, equine vaccines and culture media. [7]
  • Emergent BioSolutions is an international biopharmaceutical company that maintains significant operations in Lansing. Emergent BioSolutions is developing an array of biodefense and commercial products and currently manufactures the only FDA approved anthrax vaccine at its Lansing operations. [8]
  • TechSmith Corporation is located just outside Lansing and is the world’s leading provider of screen capture and recording software for individual and professional use. [9]
  • Liquid Web, Inc. is a web hosting company located in neighboring Delta Township, and operates two datacenters there.[10]

[edit] "Cool City" and downtown redevelopment

Several urban renewal projects by private developers are adding higher end apartments and condominiums to the Lansing market. The Arbaugh, a former department store across from Cooley Law School was converted into apartments in 2005. Motor Wheel Lofts [11], an industrial site will be converted into loft-style living spaces in mid-2006 . The Stadium District [12], a combination retail and residential complex that will be adjacent to the Oldsmobile Park baseball stadium, is scheduled to be completed in 2007. In May, 2006, the historically significant Mutual Building located on Capitol Avenue was purchased by The Christman Company to be renovated back to its original grandeur and used as the company's headquarters. Additional downtown developments include the renovation of the historic Hollister Building, and the expansion of the former Abrams Aerial Building. In addition, Lansing is home of the two Liquid Web, Inc.'s Datacenters.

[edit] List of largest metro Lansing employers – 2005

Source: Lansing Chamber of Commerce - Lansing Region's Largest Employers - 2005[12]

Company/Organization Sector Local Full-time Employment
State of Michigan Government 14,355
Michigan State University Higher Education 10,500
General Motors Corporation Automobile Manufacturing 6,300
Sparrow Health System Healthcare 6,000
Lansing Community College Higher Education 3,180
Ingham Regional Medical Center Healthcare 2,500
Lansing Public School District Primary Education 2,106
Meijer Warehousing, Retailer, Grocer 2,000
Auto-Owners Insurance Insurance 1,500
Peckham, Inc. Manufacturing 1,400
Jackson National Life Insurance 1,393
Ingham County Government 1,258
City of Lansing Government 1,240
United States Postal Service Government 1,200
Wal-Mart Retailer 1,185
Dart Container Container Manufacturer 1,144

[edit] Education

J.W. Sexton High School, Westside Lansing
J.W. Sexton High School, Westside Lansing

Michigan State University, a member of the Big Ten Conference, is known as "the pioneer land grant college," located in neighboring East Lansing. MSU has the largest land campus in the United States and is home to several nationally and internationally recognized academic and research oriented programs. Michigan State offers over 200 programs of study and is home to fourteen different degree-granting schools and colleges including three medical schools, a law school, and numerous PhD programs. It is the only university in the nation with three medical schools. MSU is consistently one of the top three programs in the United States for study abroad programs. The MSU College of Education is also consistently rated as the top education program in the nation. Michigan State University is the oldest agricultural college in the United States. The MSU School of Criminal Justice is the oldest continuous degree granting criminal justice program in the nation.

The Thomas M. Cooley Law School is the largest law school in the nation and is located in downtown Lansing. Cooley is fully accredited by the American Bar Association. A majority of Cooley students are from out-of-state.

Lansing Community College offers more than 500 areas of study to over 18,000 students at its main facilities in Lansing, and another 5,000 students at twenty-nine extension centers and a site in Otsu, Japan. Lansing Community College recently demolished Old Central, which was the first building on LCC's campus. Old Central provided additional classrooms for the community college and also had the duty of serving as Lansing's first public high school (established in the late 1880s as Lansing Central High School). A new state of the art building is currently being erected in its place, known as the University Center. The University Center will allow LCC students to take courses and eventually earn an undergraduate or graduate degree from other Michigan institutions.

Other institutions of higher education include Western Michigan University (branch campus in Delta Township), Davenport University in Downtown Lansing, Central Michigan University (branch campus), and Great Lakes Christian College.

Eastern High School, Eastside Lansing
Eastern High School, Eastside Lansing

[edit] Public and private primary schools

[edit] Culture

[edit] Music

[edit] Theatre

[edit] Museums

Lansing is home to a number of small, specialized museums such as:

[edit] Farmers markets

The historic Lansing City Market, one of the oldest city markets in the United States, has been completely renovated in recent years. It is located downtown along the Grand River. Also during the summer months, many neighborhood Farmers' markets open around town. [15]

[edit] Potter Park Zoo

The historic Potter Park Zoo, located along the Red Cedar River in Lansing, has more than 400 animals, and numerous programs and events for children and families.

[edit] Libraries

The Library of Michigan and Historical Center is a highly regarded state library and research center. The library is one of the top five genealogical research facilities in the United States. The Capital Area District Library has three branches in the city: The Main library downtown, the Foster Library on the east side, and the South Lansing Library on the south side.

[edit] Other area destinations

The Wharton Center for Performing Arts, the Kresge Art Museum, the MSU Museum, and the Abrams Planetarium are highly acclaimed cultural destinations located on the campus of Michigan State University in East Lansing.

[edit] Media

[edit] Newspapers

[edit] Television

The NBC affiliate maintains the FOX affiliate's News programming. Both affiliates broadcast their newscasts at the News 10 studios in Lansing. Often the same reporters are used on both broadcasts.

[edit] Radio

Lansing's radio dial has quite a few stations. Note: If the station has no city listed before the format, it is licensed to Lansing.

[edit] Sports

The Lansing Lugnuts are a Class A Midwest League, Minor League Baseball team, currently affiliated with the Toronto Blue Jays. The Lugnuts are one of the most popular franchises in Minor League Baseball, drawing 538,325 fans during the 1996 season, and in the process outdrawing many larger teams. Their logo is one of the most popular in the minors. The team plays its home games at Oldsmobile Park, which was built at a cost of $12.7 million and opened in 1996 in downtown Lansing. It was partially renovated in 2006. Oldsmobile Park has a seating capacity of 11,215 fans, and was built to accommodate additional expansion. The team has won two Midwest League championships, their first in 1997 and their second in 2003.

The Lansing Capitals began play in the International Basketball League in 2006.

Michigan State University sponsors both men's and women's sports, usually competing as a member of the Big Ten Conference. The Spartans have won National Titles in Men's Basketball, Football, Men's Boxing, Men's Cross Country, Men's Gymnastics, Men's Ice Hockey, Men's Soccer, and Men's Wrestling.

Lansing Community College also sponsors many sports, competing as members of the Michigan Community College Athletic Association. The Stars have won NJCAA titles in the following sports: Women's Softball, Men's Basketball, Women's Basketball, Men's Cross Country, Women's Cross Country, Women's Marathon and Men's Marathon.

The Lansing area is also known for its many golf courses, with two courses owned by Michigan State University, four municipal courses, and many additional public and private courses in the area. Walnut Hills Country Club in nearby East Lansing formerly hosted the LPGA's Oldsmobile Classic from 1992 – 2000. The Michigan PGA recently relocated from the Detroit area to Bath, Michigan, which is on the northern edge of Lansing.

In the 1980s and 1990s Lansing was a major player in semi-pro football. The Lansing Crusaders won MFL/MCFL championships in 1982, 1983, 1985, 1987, 1989, and 1990. The team finished second in 1984, 1986, and 1991.

Other past sports teams include:

  • Lansing – Michigan State League (baseball) – 1889 to 1890
  • Lansing Senators – Michigan State League (baseball) – 1895 and 1902
    • Southern Michigan League – 1907 to 1914
    • Central League – 1921 to 1922
    • renamed the Lansing Lancers – Michigan State League – 1940
    • and then back as the Lansing Senators – Michigan State League – 1941
  • Lansing Capitals – North American Basketball League – 1966-67 to 1967-68
  • Lansing Lancers – International Hockey League – 1974 to 1975
  • Capital City Cardinals – Michigan Charity Football League – 1980
  • Lansing Crusaders – Michigan Charity Football League – 1980 to 1988
    • Michigan Football League – 1989 to 1994
  • Capital City Cowboys – Michigan Football League – 1992
  • Lansing Ice Nuts – International Independent Hockey League – 2003 to 2004

[edit] Transportation

[edit] Airports

[edit] Major highways

[edit] Interstate highways

[edit] US highways

[edit] Michigan highways
  • M-43 (Saginaw Highway)
  • M-99 (Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.).

[edit] Railways

[edit] Public transportation

  • Capital Area Transportation Authority (CATA) provides public transit bus service to the Lansing-East Lansing Metropolitan area, and boasts the second highest ridership in the state of Michigan.
  • Greyhound Lines provides inter-city bus service. CATA and Greyhound are both located in the CATA Transportation Center (CTC) in downtown Lansing.
  • Also, Lansing has several taxicab companies serving the area, including Spartan-Yellow Cab, Big Daddy Taxi, Jb's Country Club Transportation, S-cabs Taxi Service and L-town cab.

[edit] Bicycling

[edit] Famous Lansing residents

[edit] Sister cities

Lansing has six sister cities, as designated by Sister Cities International, Inc. (SCI):

Lansing also has three "friendship cities" [20]:

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b American FactFinder. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
  2. ^ US Board on Geographic Names. United States Geological Survey (2007-10-25). Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
  3. ^ July 1, 2006 est. by Census Bureau
  4. ^ July 1, 2006 est. by Census Bureau
  5. ^ a b c d e "Lansing and Its Yesterdays," published by the State Journal Company, Published January 1, 1930
  6. ^ Samuel W. Durant (1880) History of Ingham and Eaton Counties, Michigan, Philadelphia: D.W. Ensign, p.72–73.
  7. ^ Clymer, Floyd. Treasury of Early American Automobiles, 1877-1925 (New York: Bonanza Books, 1950), p.25.
  8. ^ Blumer, Stephen P. (c. 1989). U.S. Geological Survey Water-Supply Paper 2375, p. 335–344. U.S. Geological Survey. Retrieved on 2007-03-31.
  9. ^ MacLean, James; Craig A. Whitford (2003). Lansing: City On The Grand, 1836-1939. Arcadia Publishing, 111–112. ISBN 0-7385-3152-9. 
  10. ^ Kellie Brown, Interim Administrative Assistant, Lansing Parks and Recreation Department, January 3, 2007
  11. ^ U.S. Census Bureau courtesy of City-Data.com
  12. ^ Lansing Chamber of Commerce - Lansing Region's Largest Employers - 2005
  13. ^ Lansing Capital City Airport
  14. ^ MBS International Airport
  15. ^ Flint Bishop International Airport
  16. ^ Gerald R. Ford International Airport
  17. ^ [http://www.state-ends.com/michigan/us127/ Picture of northern terminus US 127 at Grayling
  18. ^ Endpoints of US highways

[edit] Notes

  • Note 1: The city also extends into Eaton County along its southwest side. There are also two small non-contiguous tracts located in Ingham County. These sections are not highlighted on the map displayed as they are part of a 425 Agreement, meaning they do not officially count towards Lansing's area.

[edit] External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:
v • d • e
Municipalities and communities of
Eaton County, Michigan
County seat: Charlotte
Cities
Map of Michigan highlighting Eaton County
Villages
Charter
townships
Civil
townships
Unincorporated
communities
v • d • e
Municipalities and communities of
Ingham County, Michigan
County seat: Mason
Cities
Map of Michigan highlighting Ingham County
Villages
Townships
Charter townships
Unincorporated
communities
Flag of Michigan
v • d • e

 
State of Michigan
Lansing (capital)
Topics
Regions
Largest
municipalities

Ann Arbor · Battle Creek · Bay City · Bloomfield Township · Canton Township · Chesterfield Township · Clinton Township · Commerce Township · Dearborn · Dearborn Heights · Detroit · East Lansing · Eastpointe · Farmington Hills · Flint · Flint Township · Georgetown Township · Grand Rapids · Holland · Jackson · Kalamazoo · Kentwood · Lansing · Lincoln Park · Livonia · Macomb Township · Meridian Township · Midland · Muskegon · Novi · Pontiac · Portage · Redford · Rochester Hills · Roseville · Royal Oak · Saginaw · Saginaw Township · St. Clair Shores · Shelby Township · Southfield · Sterling Heights · Taylor · Troy · Warren · Waterford Township · West Bloomfield · Westland · Wyoming · Ypsilanti Township
Counties

Alcona · Alger · Allegan · Alpena · Antrim · Arenac · Baraga · Barry · Bay · Benzie · Berrien · Branch · Calhoun · Cass · Charlevoix · Cheboygan · Chippewa · Clare · Clinton · Crawford · Delta · Dickinson · Eaton · Emmet · Genesee · Gladwin · Gogebic · Grand Traverse · Gratiot · Hillsdale · Houghton · Huron · Ingham · Ionia · Iosco · Iron · Isabella · Jackson · Kalamazoo · Kalkaska · Kent · Keweenaw · Lake · Lapeer · Leelanau · Lenawee · Livingston · Luce · Mackinac · Macomb · Manistee · Marquette · Mason · Mecosta · Menominee · Midland · Missaukee · Monroe · Montcalm · Montmorency · Muskegon · Newaygo · Oakland · Oceana · Ogemaw · Ontonagon · Osceola · Oscoda · Otsego · Ottawa · Presque Isle · Roscommon · Saginaw · Sanilac · Schoolcraft · Shiawassee · St. Clair · St. Joseph · Tuscola · Van Buren · Washtenaw · Wayne · Wexford
v • d • e
United States state capital cities