‘Lansing’s time is now’ - Mayor Andy Schor delivers 2023 State of the City address

LANSING, Mich. (WILX) - Mayor Andy Schor delivered his 2023 State of the City address Tuesday evening at Everett High School.

It was his sixth address as Lansing’s mayor and the first held in person since the COVID pandemic started three years ago.

Schor highlighted various accomplishments from over the past year and what’s next for Lansing.

“Lansing’s time is now”

“I am proud to report that the state of our city is great. While we still navigate challenges and issues that all communities face, we’ve been able to accomplish much over the last year after having to change our lives due to the pandemic,” Schor said.

Schor opened his speech by recognizing the work others have done in the community, including his team, the Lansing City Council, public employees and his family.

He then went on to talk about housing projects across the city - such as the work on the old Walter French building and the historic Holmes Street School - that could attract and retain workers.

“We want those just out of college, families with young children, working professionals, empty nesters and seniors all to live here,” Schor said.

He added that the expansion of housing across the area would aid economically, driving more people toward Lansing businesses.

“Housing needs are not just downtown. I recently ran into a young woman who lives in the new Temple Lofts in Old Town, and she loves it,” Schor said. “More importantly, I saw her as she was walking around Old Town and shopping. Creating walkability leads to vibrancy in an area, especially outside of normal work hours.”

He then went on to talk about the Grow Lansing program, which aims to revitalize community gardens and grow food. The city won a $175,000 grant for the project.

“We look for answers and for solutions that would work.”

Schor acknowledged the rise in violent crimes and homicides that occurred during the pandemic and called attention to Advance Peace, a program that works to curb and prevent violence.

“While this program is still in the early stages here, we are seeing real results. In late 2022 and early 2023, we had 3 continuous months with no fatal shootings in the City of Lansing,” Schor said. “And when we broke that streak and had a violent gun death, the Advance Peace team jumped into action. They immediately got to the parties involved, de-escalated the situation, and prevented retaliation to end the cycle of violence.”

Schor said the city has ordered speed signs with radar capacity in an effort to slow speeding drivers on Lansing’s major roads.

“These signs will warn drivers of their speed, and that they are going over the speed limit,” Schor said. “The signs, matched with officers in some cases, will result in slower speeds. We need to slow down traffic in our city and our neighborhoods.”

He said Lansing police and fire crews are both receiving improvements. Police officers will be paired with a social worker and an EMT to better address mental illness and addiction situations. The Lansing Fire Department will receive new fire stations, vehicles and ambulances.

“Lansing has culture.”

He called attention to the upcoming Hall 224, Lansing Ovation and other live music and entertainment venues in the city.

“We can’t talk about the progress we’ve made in our business districts without talking about our future as a concert destination,” Schor said. “Lansing has culture, and we have a lot of people eager for live music, comedy, and performances without having to go to Detroit or Grand Rapids or anywhere else.”

Schor closed his speech by expressing gratitude for his tenure of being mayor and expressed optimism about the city’s future.

“We have so much going on in every corner of Lansing,” Schor said. “New and rehabbed housing, economic development, public safety investments, business growth, support for social services, park improvements, and ensuring residents get what they want and need from city government. I’m proud of all our work.”

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