The Daytime. Nighttime. Anytime. Place Project
Community: City of East Lansing
Population: 10,000+
Population: 10,000+
To support businesses with meeting public health order requirements and to increase opportunities for consumers to engage in the local economy, the City of East Lansing is implementing a series of outdoor placemaking strategies to increase available outdoor dining options, curbside pickup options, and participation in City programming during the COVID-19 pandemic. The project uses placemaking strategies to solve very complex problems associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. Although these strategies were designed to address the many challenges confronted by the pandemic, the City hopes that the Daytime. Nighttime. Anytime. Place Project will result in long-term, community-driven changes in downtown East Lansing.
Replicability:
Since many of the strategies were new to East Lansing, we were not certain which components would be successful and which components would not. Combine this with the project's goal of achieving long-term changes, we decided that data collection and documentation were needed in order for us to replicate successful projects and programming in the future. Upon completion of each component of the project, we use the best available data, both qualitative and quantitative, to measure and evaluate success and determine which strategies should be implemented in the future. Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) are being prepared for the projects and programming being considered future implementationCreativity and Originality:
Multi-disciplinary and experimental, the Place Project has prioritized public health and used simple, cost-effective tactical urbanism techniques to reactivate and enhance our downtown public spaces by providing interesting, comfortable places for the community to safely gather and engage in the local economy. Many project locations have been designed for social distancing, as applicable, to provide an environment for people to socialize safely, engage in the local economy, and get outdoors. Our team converted an underutilized parking garage into a farmers Market. The East Lansing Downtown Underground Farmers Market. The underground parking garage provides cover from the elements in a semi-outdoor environment, a powerful ventilation system, and over 43,000 square feet. The Market counted between 400 and 700 visitors during each event with several vendors selling out of product. We partnered with K-12 teachers to engage the youth and support local artist. This resulted in the Art Pop-up Program where over 300 pieces of K-12 artwork was installed in the businesses throughout downtown. This provided the community with a reason to get out of the house during the pandemic, increase downtown foot traffic, and support local businesses. To help market downtown and engage the community, TikTok challenges and photo contests were piloted. Participants could submit a video or photo for a chance to win a Downtown East Lansing eGift Card. Photo and video submissions had to include a downtown landmark and/or downtown business. The eGift card prize helped keep local dollars local. Dozens of tables and chairs, grass turf, and art have been installed in public spaces throughout downtown. This provides comfortable seating for outdoor dining and lounging. Early feedback and observations indicate a significant increase in foot traffic. Coming in June 2021, the Place Project will install parklet systems in on-street parking spaces to increase the square footage of outdoor public spaces and simply to provide a cool and interesting place to hangout. Art installations, light installations, and City programming will also begin in June 2021.Community Impact:
There has been an overwhelming amount of excitement and support from the residents in East Lansing. The Place Project was partly funded through Public Spaces, Community Places, where community members donated more than $56,000- demonstrating broad community support. The community provided positive feedback and expressed their appreciation for providing safe and interesting public places. One business owner indicated they saw a 20% increase in sales from the foot traffic the project created. A real-estate agent stated that they have filled vacant storefronts because of the impact the Place Project is having and an art gallery indicated that they counted the most visitors in a single day since opening 4-5 years ago.
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@downtownelLearn more at cityofeastlansing.com/tiktokchallenge. #dancechallenge #eastlansing #michiganstateuniversity #placeproject #downtownELtiktokchallenge♬ original sound - Downtown East Lansing
