My SSR: 2004 Redline Red SSR "HTRDGRL" Born On 8/19/2004 SSR Theme Song Chevrolet by Foghat
Lansing Craft Center Scheduled for Demolition
By Alan Miller
Lansing Community Newspapers
General Motors Corp. will tear down the idled Lansing Craft Centre and Lansing Metal Center in Lansing Township.
The Detroit-based automaker also will raze the Oldsmobile office building south of Interstate 496 in downtown Lansing.
The company began notifying neighborhood groups and employees after the decision was made earlier this week, GM spokeswoman Kim Carpenter said Friday.
Demolition work is slated to begin in midsummer and will take about 18 months, she said. After that, GM will look at redevelopment plans.
Eric Henning, GM's regional director for government relations, said the age, maintenance costs and building configurations are "significant detriments to potential redevelopment" for industrial use.
"Providing a clean slate is the best option to make this surplus property more marketable," Henning said.
The Craft Centre, whose last vehicle was the Chevrolet SSR, ceased production a year ago.
Carpenter said that while the tooling and equipment at the site were state-of-the-art, the building was "not how you design a modern manufacturing facility."
She said one of the biggest priorities during the demolition will be to minimize the impact on neighbors near the facilities.
The company and its contractors will take steps to minimize noise, control dust and avoid traffic disruptions, she said.
GM already is tearing down the Lansing Car Assembly plant.
Though Carpenter said GM plans to work with local government and community groups to find ways to redevelop the Metal Center, Craft Centre and Oldsmobile properties, local officials are not waiting to begin their planning.
Lansing Township Development Director Steven Hayward is working with a group from the Urban Planning Department at Wayne State University to identify opportunities for the sites.
The township will hold a public meeting about the future of the site Thursday.
GM opened the Craft Centre on Saginaw Street in 1940 to make munitions for World War II. It was producing the now-discontinued Chevrolet SSR when it was shuttered in March 2006; the plant then employed 400 people.
Across the street, the metal center once employed 1,200. GM opened the plant in 1952 to make jets during the Korean War and shuttered it in November.
The Oldsmobile office building, meanwhile, lost its nameplate in December when GM removed the brand's sign from atop the building. It had housed the division's marketing operations until 1998, when the work was moved to Detroit.
GM produced the last Oldsmobile car in April 2004.
Lansing State Journal business editor Kevin Polzin and staff writer Jeremy W. Steele contributed to this report.
Wonder what happens to the Large Banner?......sure wish we could get our hands on it
Why don't we contact Bob W about requesting the opportunity to assume responsibility for the banner? The Dream Cruise weekend would be a great venue. Our Friday night event at the Heritage Center would work out perfectly. What do you think?
My SSR: 2004 Redline Red SSR "HTRDGRL" Born On 8/19/2004 SSR Theme Song Chevrolet by Foghat
Banner Responsibility
Quote:
Originally Posted by parothed97
Why don't we contact Bob W about requesting the opportunity to assume responsibility for the banner? The Dream Cruise weekend would be a great venue. Our Friday night event at the Heritage Center would work out perfectly. What do you think?
I have thought about it......who would be the right one to question???
Bob Walczyk
Local 1618
Chevy Club Connection
I would assume that all left over material would have gone back to the Local or off to other plants in the area. I guess I could start with the Local and see where that leads me.
I have contact info for several LCC key persons....... Could start with one of them
I have thought about it......who would be the right one to question???
Bob Walczyk
Local 1618
Chevy Club Connection
I would assume that all left over material would have gone back to the Local or off to other plants in the area. I guess I could start with the Local and see where that leads me.
I have contact info for several LCC key persons....... Could start with one of them
We could maybe start with Marc and other fellow Fanatics connected with GM...
My SSR: SSR 04 – PEDIGREE SSR Chrome Wheels w/ 1st Aux. Gauge Package released for Production. #9684
SSR Banner
That Banner is HUGGGEEEEE! I think you would need an over-sized truck to carry that thing around.
I will contact Bob Walczyk on Monday and see where that leads us. There may be some other issues like who will take it down and where will it be stored etc. Any members that have some insight or input please post for us.
My SSR: 2004 Redline Red SSR "HTRDGRL" Born On 8/19/2004 SSR Theme Song Chevrolet by Foghat
Quote:
Originally Posted by Marc NY
That Banner is HUGGGEEEEE! I think you would need an over-sized truck to carry that thing around.
I will contact Bob Walczyk on Monday and see where that leads us. There may be some other issues like who will take it down and where will it be stored etc. Any members that have some insight or input please post for us.
Thanks Marc I also read your PM...........
HUGGGGGEEEE is an understatement
Need the dimension to really figure out if we can obtain it....... where would we put it??? Is it a banner or is it a billboard?
I'm also wondering what happend to the big or one (I thought Red)that was on a building for Woodward 2005 ???
HUGGGGGEEEE is an understatement
Need the dimension to really figure out if we can obtain it....... where would we put it??? Is it a banner or is it a billboard?
I'm also wondering what happend to the big or one (I thought Red)that was on a building for Woodward 2005 ???
It is the same banner that was on the building. It's just hung sideways because it's so tall.
My SSR: Was - 2006 Slingshot Yellow: Final Production Run #23343 Born Feb 21, 2006 (Moved on to a good home)
I wonder if any of the Craft Center was built of brick???
I seem to recall that Corvette owners got a chance to buy a brick from one of the production plants that was demolished and I bet many of the Fanatics would jump at the chance to purchase a piece of history in the form of an artifact from the Craft Center as it is demolished.
Some days I wish I lived in Michigan so I could help with the logistics on something like this.
My SSR: 2004 Redline Red SSR "HTRDGRL" Born On 8/19/2004 SSR Theme Song Chevrolet by Foghat
Purchasing of Bricks
Quote:
Originally Posted by BMBLBEE
I wonder if any of the Craft Center was built of brick???
I seem to recall that Corvette owners got a chance to buy a brick from one of the production plants that was demolished and I bet many of the Fanatics would jump at the chance to purchase a piece of history in the form of an artifact from the Craft Center as it is demolished.
Some days I wish I lived in Michigan so I could help with the logistics on something like this.
Bob
Funny you should mention.....I was also thinking the same thing
First we need to find out when the demolition will occur. The article says "mid-summer". When they restored the Octagon Barn here in Michigan we were able to buy a brick to help in the restoration process. I guess this is another job for superman "Marc NY" when he e-mails Bob W. maybe he could find out more of the details. I was planning on driving out there to see the demolition take place And with any luck.......snatch a piece of history
Lansing Craft Center Scheduled for Demolition
SSR Permigrin 4 Years and still going!
SSR 1st Chevy/1st 6spd- Saw it, loved it, bought it. 
I also read your PM...........
I'm also wondering what happend to the big 
one (I thought Red)that was on a building for Woodward 2005 ???
