President Chris called the meeting to order promptly at 12:30 with the ringing of the Rotary Bell. All Rotarians and guests stood to recite the Rotary Four Way Test. Ben Rathbun gave the reflection about the challenges of life in the context of the sea while calm waters are appreciated, but true growth and character are revealed when the seas get rough. The club sang My Country ‘Tis of Thee.
Visting guests and Rotarians were introduced with Dan Aylward carrying the giant cube of audio throughout the room. President Chris
inquired if anyone had any information on the health of the club and no news is good news.
inquired if anyone had any information on the health of the club and no news is good news.Hari Kern introduced herself and Marcy Christoff for our special music entitled “Four Hands, One Piano”. Hari and Marcy shared the piano bench to play three pieces. The first entitled “Wedding Day at Trolhaugen” followed by “Funny Gumbo” and finally “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen”.
President Chris made the weekly announcements thanking those that helped this week at the Greater Lansing Food Bank. Also a reminder that the 41st annual Martin Luther King, Jr. brunch is January 19th, those interested in attending should contact Bilky Joda-Miller to secure a seat at the brunch. Our club is still collecting personal supplies for the unhoused.
John Pence gave the November birthday fundraiser with the question “If you could share a birthday with anyone, who would it be?” Not surprising the men’s responses were with their spouses so they would not have to plan for the day or forget their birthday. Most importantly, $1,543 was raised from November birth month Rotarians.
Ben Rathbun introduced our guest speaker Re’Shane Lonzo the Founder and CEO of Lonzo Development. Re’Shane came to the Lansing area to attend Michigan State University as an 18-year-old with her four-year-old son, who was her purpose and motivation to succeed. She stayed in Lansing where she met her husband who worked for the Lansing School District in teaching and administratively before retiring.Re’Shane with her husband founded DRM International Learning Center in 2006, providing training to help individuals get the training needed to secure entry level jobs in the healthcare industry. They started Lonzo Development to focus on revitalizing commercial/retail zones in Lansing. They are currently working on the West Saginaw corridor in the 1000 and 900 blocks of West Saginaw near Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. This area was historically a hub of businesses where the families employed and owned businesses such as Parks Furniture also lived above and in the neighborhood around these businesses. Re'Shane shared her vision of what this area can be like again with their planned redevelopment of this historic city block.
The project in the old Parks Furniture building is building out 11 affordable/workforce apartments above the existing building with commercial tenants located on the first floor. After the building is completed, DRM International Learning Center will relocate there, along with Little Dreamers Early Learning Center and a community café and hospitality training center. Re’Shane has already secured a MSHDA MI Neighborhoods Grant, a City of Lansing RAP grant, an Ingham County Housing Trust Fund Grant and State appropriations. Next was obtaining Historic District Certifications and State of Michigan historic preservation site, which will create historic tax credits to help secure private syndicated development financing. A similar plan is in place for their 1001 West Saginaw building with mixed use space for residential and retail spaces.
Re’Shane’s passion and energy were apparent in her presentation, and this passion will see these projects to completion. The best part is we will all get to witness this revitalization vision becoming reality as we drive down the West Saginaw corridor throughout the coming months and years.
After a brief time for questions, the meeting was wrapped up by President Chris, until we meet again next for the 102nd Annual Children's Christmas Party.
Email for Tim Adam: Tadams@manercpa.com