LEAP and City of Lansing Wins Prestigious International Economic Development Council Awards
LANSING, Mich. – The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) announced the winners of the Excellence in Economic Development awards at the IEDC Annual International Conference in Cleveland, OH. The Outfield Redevelopment project received two prestigious awards this year. The Lansing Economic Development Corporation (LEDC) through the Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP) received a Gold Award for creating and packaging the Lansing Lugnuts Outfield Redevelopment Project – Public Private Partnership, as well as a Silver Award for the Lansing Lugnuts Outfield Redevelopment Project – Real Estate Redevelopment and Reuse. LEAP is also receiving a prestigious award for its production of its 2015 Annual Report.
Announced in 2014, The Outfield project is a mixed-use project located inside Cooley Law School Stadium’s outfield, home to the Lansing Lugnuts minor league baseball team. The project includes 80 upscale residential units built directly within the stadium, something that has never been done before in a professional baseball stadium in the United States.
Through the leadership of Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero and LEAP’s Bob Trezise and Karl Dorshimer, the private/public partners, all equally vital to the success of this project, are the amazing: Pat Gillespie of the Gillespie Group (developer), Tom Dickson (owner Lansing Lugnuts), Scott Keith (Lansing Entertainment and Public Facilities Authority), Chad Gamble (Public Service Director), Pierre LaVoie (Chair, Lansing EDC), Bob Johnson (Lansing Planning Director) Al Wallace Legal (Miller Canfield), the Christman Construction Company and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC).
“The Outfield development is an amazing example of the good that can come from a true, public-private partnership. We are proud to be a part of Lansing’s resurgence, and the Outfield is a prime example of what can result from vision, trust and hard work,” said Pat Gillespie, President of Gillespie Group.
“I am thrilled but not surprised that The Outfield project has won these prestigious IEDC awards. Public-private partnerships are truly powering Lansing’s progress, and we have had no better partners than The Gillespie Group in bringing amazing, transformational economic development projects across the finish line. The Outfield is a home run in every way and richly deserving of this recognition,” said City of Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero.
“It has become a habit and expectation that our Lansing economic development projects, over the past 11 years, win the top competitive international awards in the nation. The Ottawa Power Station, the Knapps building and now the Outfield are all projects that have out-competed projects from major communities across the country. I think we’ve firmly put in place a new Lansing tradition — We expect the best,” said Bob Trezise, President and CEO, LEAP.
In addition to recognition for The Outfield project, LEAP’s 2015 Annual Report received a bronze award in the Excellence in Economic Development marketing awards competition.
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About LEAP
The Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP) is a coalition of area leaders partnering to build a stronger community for all—working every day to grow, retain and attract business.
Category: LEAP Announcements, Press Releases