REO Town
{{Use American English|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox settlement
|official_name = REO Town
|settlement_type = Neighborhood
|motto =
|image_skyline = REO Town District Lansing, Michigan 2.jpg
|imagesize =
|image_caption = REO Town district in Lansing, Michigan
|image_flag =
|image_seal =
|image_map = District_map_of_Lansing,_Michigan.jpg
|mapsize = 250px
|map_caption = Location in the city of Lansing, Michigan
|image_map1 =
|mapsize1 =
|map_caption1 =
|subdivision_type = Country
|subdivision_type1 = State
|subdivision_type2 = County
|subdivision_name = United States
|subdivision_name1 = Michigan
|subdivision_name2 = Ingham
|leader_title =
|leader_name =
|leader_title1 =
|leader_name1 =
|established_date =
|area_magnitude =
|area_total_km2 =
|area_land_km2 =
|area_water_km2 =
|population_as_of = 2009
|population_total = 1989
|population_metro = 454044
|population_density_sq_mi = auto
|timezone = EST
|utc_offset = -5
|timezone_DST = EDT
|utc_offset_DST = -4
|elevation_ft =
|coordinates = {{coord|42.7170|-84.5537|region:US-MI|display=inline,title}}
|area_total_sq_mi = 0.624
|elevation_m =
|website = [http://www.reotown.com/ reotown.com]
|postal_code_type = ZIP codes
|postal_code = 48910, 48912, 48933
|area_code = 517
|blank_name =
|blank_info =
|blank1_name =
|blank1_info =
|footnotes = REO Town @ city-data.com[http://www.city-data.com/neighborhood/REO-Town-Lansing-MI.html REO Town neighborhood in Lansing, Michigan (MI), 48910, 48912, 48933 detailed profile], city-data.com, Retrieved June 7, 2012
}}
REO Town is a district in Lansing, Michigan, United States, located south of downtown. The neighborhood is bordered by West Malcolm X Street to the north; South Cedar Street BL I-96 to the east; West Mount Hope Avenue to the south; and Townsend Street, the Grand River, and South Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard to the west.
Considered the birthplace of the commercial automobile in the US,[http://reotown.org/?page_id=479 REO Town Official Webpage], retrieved 2014-Jun-18 REO Town is named after Ransom Eli Olds, an automobile pioneer, for whom both the Oldsmobile and REO brands were named.Lansing, Michigan, wikipedia.com, retrieved 2010-Aug-03
In addition to a commercial corridor along South Washington Avenue, REO Town includes three neighborhoods: Fabulous Acres, Moores Park,[http://mooresparkneighborhood.com/ Moores Park] and River Point.Adams, Tara. [http://www.capitalgainsmedia.com/cities/reotown/reoguide0331.aspx REO Town - REO Town Living and Visiting Guide] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100723162439/http://www.capitalgainsmedia.com/cities/reotown/reoguide0331.aspx |date=2010-07-23 }}, Lansing Area Capital Gains, capitalgainsmedia.com, August 12, 2009, Retrieved August 5, 2010
History
The REO Motor Car Company began producing automobiles along South Washington Avenue in REO Town in 1905, ending production in 1975.Rook, Christine and Melissa Domsic. [http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/article/20100801/NEWS03/8010539/New-REO-Town-development-could-revitalize-Lansing-downtown-district New REO Town development could revitalize Lansing downtown district], Lansing State Journal, lsj.com, August 1, 2010, Retrieved August 5, 2010
The REO Town Commercial Association was formed in 2003 to encourage businesses and residential growth in the area.
Image:Reo Town Deluxe Inn Lansing, Michigan.jpg exhibit prior to September 2010 demolition]]
In July 2010 the Lansing Board of Water & Light announced plans to construct a $182 million natural gas-powered electric and steam generation plant along Washington Avenue in REO Town. The eight-story facility moved 180 jobs upon its opening in January 2013.Domsic, Melissa. [http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100716/NEWS03/7160323&s=d&page=2#pluckcomments BWL plans $182M power plant in Lansing's REO Town], Lansing State Journal, lsj.com, July 16, 2010, Retrieved August 3, 2010 Plans also call for the renovation and reuse of the former Grand Trunk railroad station.[http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/article/201007300400/OPINION01/7300310?odyssey=mod_related_topix BWL becomes REO Town's best friend], Lansing State Journal, lsj.com, July 30, 2010, Retrieved August 5, 2010 Construction of the new power station began in May 2011.Domsic, Melissa. [http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/article/201007300400/OPINION01/7300310?odyssey=mod_related_topix 'Classy' power plant in REO Town is under way], Lansing State Journal, lsj.com, May 26, 2011, Retrieved May 28, 2011 The cogeneration power plant became operational on July 1, 2013.Howell, Brandon. [http://www.mlive.com/lansing-news/index.ssf/2013/07/lansing_board_of_water_lights.html Lansing Board of Water & Light's new $182 million REO Town cogeneration plant goes online], MLive.com, July 1, 2013, Retrieved July 7, 2013
In August 2010 the former Deluxe Inn was transformed into an outdoor urban graffiti art exhibit. The planned event attracted approximately 25 artists. The defunct motel, at the north end of REO Town, was demolished in September 2010 and is currently a large grassy lot.{{Cite web | url=http://www.letssavemichigan.com/placemaking-contest/reo-town-festival-site-lansing/ |title = REO Town Festival Site, Lansing | Let's Save Michigan}}Rook, Christine. [http://www.capitalgainsmedia.com/inthenews/deluxe0429.aspx?referrerID=fbce1ca4-4d52-4248-90c8-1d38b1b5f26d REO Town - Graffiti Art Project At Deluxe Inn Brings Attention to REO Town Revitalization], Lansing State Journal, capitalgainsmedia.com, July 31, 2010, Retrieved August 4, 2010Rook, Christine. [http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/article/20100913/NEWS01/309130004/Deluxe-Inn-falls-as-demolition-starts Deluxe Inn falls as demolition starts], Lansing State Journal, lsj.com, September 13, 2010, Retrieved September 13, 2010
In August 2011 Lansing received a $326,100 federal transportation grant to help pay for a $2.1 million streetscape project along Washington Avenue in REO Town.Domsic, Melissa. [http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2011108180324 Grant given to upgrade streetscape in Lansing], Lansing State Journal, lsj.com, August 18, 2011, Retrieved August 18, 2011Press Release. USDOT Federal Highway Administration. [https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/pressroom/fhwa1137/fhwa1137mi.cfm U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood Announces $9.1 Million in Grants for Michigan Highway Projects], fhwa.dot.gov, August 17, 2011, Retrieved August 18, 2011
Economy
REO Town has several large and small employers. Its largest employer is still the automotive industry with the Lansing Grand River Assembly plant employing approximately 2,500 hourly and salary employees.{{Cite news|url=http://media.gm.com/media/us/en/gm/company_info/facilities/assembly/lgr.html|title=GM Corporate Newsroom - United States - Company|newspaper=media.gm.com|access-date=2017-01-29}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/story/news/local/2017/01/18/gm-layoffs-lansing-were-fewer-than-expected/96688038/|title=Lansing GM plant's third shift gone after 9 months|newspaper=Lansing State Journal|language=en|access-date=2017-01-29}}
Arts and culture
Image:Reo Town District Lansing, Michigan 1.jpg
REO Town has several arts and culture events throughout the year. Art Attack, an event organized by the REO Town Commercial Association, celebrates art, live music and food.{{Cite web|url=http://wlns.com/2015/08/20/this-morning-reo-town-art-attack-preview/|title=This Morning: REO Town Art Attack Preview|last=Harrison|first=Mariah|date=2015-08-20|website=WLNS|access-date=2017-01-10}} Arts Night Out is a celebration of art and culture that is put on by the Arts Council of Greater Lansing.{{Cite news|url=http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/story/entertainment/2016/05/05/night-art-unexpected-places/83961904/|title=Arts Night Out to bring music, art to unexpected places|newspaper=Lansing State Journal|access-date=2017-01-10}}
The Robin Theatre[https://www.therobintheatre.com/ The Robin Theatre] provides a space for poetry, live music and theater performances.{{Cite web|url=https://greaterlansingnews.com/2015/05/01/reo-town-resident-embraces-the-arts/|title=REO Town resident embraces the arts|first=Jordan|last=Holley|date=2015-05-01|website=Greater Lansing News|access-date=2017-01-10}} REO Town also features recording studios Elm Street Recording{{Cite news|url=http://www.secondwavemedia.com/capitalgains/features/Elms0404.aspx|title=Recording in REO Town|newspaper=Capital Gains|access-date=2017-01-10}} and REO Town Recording.
Art & Craft Beerfest is a celebration of art, beer and music. It is held during the mid-winter break between other area beerfests.{{Cite news|url=http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/story/entertainment/events/2017/01/26/5-things-do-lansing-weekend-jan-27-29/97053336/|title=5 things to do in Lansing this weekend, Jan. 27-29|newspaper=Lansing State Journal|language=en|access-date=2017-01-29}} The festival features 20 beers from Traverse City's Right Brain Brewing Company, 10 ciders from Blake’s Hard Cider and a variety of Michigan wines.{{Cite news|url=http://lansingcitypulse.com/article-14293-What's-up-in-Lansing-Art-beer-theater-and-more.html|title=What's up in Lansing: Art, beer, theater and more|language=en-US|access-date=2017-01-29}} Lansing Beer Fest is now hosted on the third Saturday of June, and has been held since 2012.
On June 23, 2018, REO Town hosted the Three Stacks Music Festival,{{Cite web|url=https://www.lansingstatejournal.com/story/news/2018/04/12/against-me-play-new-three-stacks-music-festival-reo-town-lansing/506367002/|title=Against Me! to play new 'Three Stacks' music festival in REO Town|website=Lansing State Journal|language=en|access-date=2018-12-18}} featuring Against Me!, Murder by Death, Pup, mewithoutyou, Screaming Females, Camp Cove, Petal, Oceanator, City Mouse, Worn Spirit, Stefanie Haapala, Ness Lake, and Secret Forte.
Founded in 2004, REACH Studio Art Center offers free and low-cost art classes for local Lansing youth and teens. Wheel House Studios{{Cite web|url=https://www.lansingstatejournal.com/story/news/2018/11/23/wheel-house-pottery-studio-reo-town/1999132002/|title='Relax and focus on the pottery': Wheel House Pottery Studio opens in REO Town|website=Lansing State Journal|language=en|access-date=2018-12-18}} opened in September 2018, offering classes and private lessons on wheel throwing geared towards adults.
References
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External links
- http://www.reotown.com/
- [http://www.city-data.com/neighborhood/REO-Town-Lansing-MI.html REO Town] at city-data.com
{{Lansing-East Lansing|state=collapsed}}
Category:Geography of Lansing, Michigan