Potter Park Zoo, downtown Lansing among those getting millions in earmarks in state budget
Elena Durnbaugh
Millions of dollars have been earmarked for Lansing area organizations in the $76 billion state budget that the Michigan Legislature passed early Friday morning.
The deal includes $13 million in appropriations for local organizations in the Greater Lansing area, including Potter Park Zoo, Downtown Lansing, Inc. the Charlotte Fire Department and a Lansing area health center.
"This budget is a giant win for the state," said Sen. Curtis Hertel, D-Meridian Township. "This was a bipartisan effort, working with the governor, and I think it's fantastic for Lansing and my community, but it's really fantastic for the entire state."
The earmarks, or pork as they are sometimes referred to, are championed by state legislators working with community members and local leaders to address needs in the area. The appropriations are then approved or denied during budget negotiations.
Potter Park animal health facility
Potter Park Zoo is set to receive $2 million from the state that will go toward building a new animal health facility on the zoo grounds, a project which is expected to cost around $4.5 million.
"Our people are so happy," said Amy Morris-Hall, zoological society executive director on Friday. "We knew the conversations were happening...but until last night, I wasn't counting on (the funding)."
The zoo has been fundraising for the new health facility since last September in response to a request from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the zoo's accrediting agency.
The exiting health facility at Potter Park Zoo was deemed inadequate by the AZA because it was outdated, small, and had no dedicated surgery area. The new facility will address those concerns and include an ICU and dedicated nursery, a quarantine area for incoming animals, a laboratory to improve biosecurity and enhance zoo research opportunities, updated diagnostic imaging equipment and a necropsy room. It will also include a pharmacy and medical records and equipment storage.
With contributions from the Dart Foundation, the Capital Region Community Foundation and private donors, the zoo had already raised $1.7 million for the project before the state funding was approved.
"We've been working really hard on this, and we're not done, but boy, this is a huge step in getting us closer," Morris-Hall said. "It's wonderful, just to have that kind of support is fantastic. We're very fortunate and have received amazing support from this community for 100 years."
Downtown Lansing businesses
Downtown Lansing, Inc. is also set to receive millions to help with recovery due to the loss of state workers working in downtown offices due to the pandemic.
"The State made decisions to keep their workers safe, and I support that, but it had a tremendous effect on our downtown business community," Lansing Mayor Andy Schor said in a written statement. "This investment will help continue our revitalization and transformation."
The state has allocated $5 million to Downtown Lansing, Inc. which will be used to stabilize Lansing's downtown and sustain it as the city adjusts to having more people working remotely.
"This funding is designed to provide a safe landing and a safe launching point for our downtown and the many small businesses who call it home," said Cathleen Edgerly, executive director of Downtown Lansing, Inc. "It's going to help stabilize our local economy and sustain it as we go through this period of transition...to bring more residential to the downtown and create more of a 24/7 experience for those who call Lansing home."
The funding will be used for small business support grants and to help recruit and retain a diverse mix of businesses downtown, Edgerly said. The money will also be used to hire additional staff for Downtown Lansing, Inc.
"All of the money is going to go right out the door to support the businesses and the residents of this community," Edgerly said.
Read more: State workers aren't coming to save downtown Lansing. These ideas might.
Investing in Lansing and the businesses that lost out during the pandemic in this budget was "incredibly important" to Hertel.
"Downtowns across the county are struggling as we live in this post-pandemic world, and certainly downtown Lansing has suffered more than most," he said. "We're seeing state employees come back and those are all positive things, but the struggle has been real. So for those businesses, the ones that were able to stay open, we want to help in that recovery."
New behavioral health center
The project to transform the old McLaren hospital at 401 W. Greenlawn Ave. into a behavioral health center for teenagers is also receiving funding.
The facility will receive $5 million to revamp the vacant campus into a space that will provide support for young people and families in the Greater Lansing area.
"It's a huge need for families. It's a huge need for our community," Hertel said. "We've been putting money in every single budget cycle for the last four budget cycles in order to actually change that facility into a mental health hub."
The facility is expected to open by the end of 2022 and will provide a local place designed to treat mental and behavioral health.
"As I leave the Senate, this is one of the most important things that I wanted to get done," Hertel said.
Read more: Former McLaren Hospital to house youth shelter, supportive services for Lansing nonprofit
Charlotte Fire Department equipment
Other appropriations in the state budget include $1 million for the Charlotte Fire Department.
That money will go toward purchasing two new firetrucks, new fire hoses and other safety equipment.
"It's going to help all the members of the fire department operate safe equipment and provide better service to all residents and the surrounding communities," Charlotte Fire Chief Mark Jordan said.
Michigan State University also will receive $53 million in appropriations, which will go toward renovating and expanding the greenhouse complex and dairy facilities on campus.
Contact reporter Elena Durnbaugh at (517) 231-9501 or edurnbaugh@lsj.com. Follow her on Twitter at @ElenaDurnbaugh.