New plans for vacant Lansing City Market building

LANSING, Mich. (WILX) - The Lansing City Market building, which has sat vacant for nearly a year, is getting new life.

Tuesday, Mayor Andy Schor announced plans to turn the 11,000 square foot space into an area for social gatherings. It will be called the Lansing Shuffleboard and Social Club.

“I have continuously said that my priorities for repurposing the former City Market building includes activating the space, ensuring that it is a lasting activation and not needing a yearly subsidy from the City. This project meets all of those conditions and will be a great reuse of the space,” said Mayor Schor.

The company developing the space, Detroit Rising Development, says it will house six to seven food vendors and eight shuffleboard courts. They also plan to create a second floor and a mezzanine area.

Detroit Rising Development’s founder, John Hartzell is hoping to have it finished within the next two years. The company will invest $3.2 million into the project.

“The dining experience, I feel, has changed a lot. People aren’t looking for that one and a half, two hour sit down meal anymore. They have a limited time to be out and they want to be entertained by that and they want to go find different experiences,” said Hartzell.

The plan is not finalized yet; it still has to go to the Lansing City Council for approval. Their next meeting is scheduled for September 14.

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