Archive: Opinions

With the threat of the local power plant closing and the economic disaster that would bring to Lansing, the question of building back the town's tax base is in the forefront.  When talking about the toolbox municipalities can use to attract development, municipal sewer tops the list.  That tool is off the table, and even with sewer it would have been a decade or more before the revenue gap Lansing schools are suffering from reductions in the power plant's value and drops in state aid could be plugged.  But there are other tools.  A few officials are talking about how increased tourism could benefit the town.

Lansing has a lot of things that could attract tourism.  We don't have to build a water park or an enormous mall to interest people in the town.  All we have to do is be smart about leveraging the things we already have to attract tourists.  Tourists spend money.  Tourists spending money attracts new businesses that will help fill that gaping revenue gap.

Two stories in this week's Star include tourism elements.  Rogue's Harbor Brewery is listed among attractions on the Beer trail, and the Town's own Salt Point project is shaping up to attract more visitors from out of town.  Some local officials see these things as an opportunity to attract tourist dollars to the town.  One of the arguments in favor of a proposal to turn Bell Station into a state forest is that it would attract tourism dollars to the town.

This approach makes sense.  The Finger Lakes is already a major tourist attraction.  Lansing should take a more pro-active approach to getting on this bandwagon.  It wouldn't take much.

I have long thought that a Lansing Historical Trail could highlight some of the really interesting attractions like the North Log Cabin, Ludlowville Union School, the Field School House and other one-room school houses and historical churches in the town, as well as cemeteries where Revolutionary War veterans lie.  Portland Cement used to be made on Portland Point.  Table salt used to be manufactured on Salt Point.  Not to mention the things that are already vital parts of Lansing tourism like Rogue's Harbor Inn.  And in the season, Matt Dedrick's stunning sunflower fields.  The Town Center trail.

I think one ripe market for promoting Lansing tourism would be... Lansing.  Lansing, Michigan, that is.  That Lansing was named for our Lansing after one of Thomas North's sons (Thomas built the log cabin that now graces the entrance to Myers Park) named his new Michigan home for his native home in New York.  What would it take to promote 'old home' tours from Lansing to Lansing?  When the North log cabin was dedicated a few years ago, members of the North family came from our Michigan namesake to be part of it.  Surely they aren't the only ones interested in the history of their Lansing!

Maybe some enterprising locals could dress up in 17th century garb and open up the log cabin to tourists.  Sure, it would never be a full fledged Williamsburg, Sturbridge Village or Plymouth Plantation, but I'll bet some clever could could come up with a way to make it pay.

A Lansing Historical Trail wouldn't take much: a glossy brochure with a historical map.  Perhaps a kiosk next to the Town Hall showing the History trail map and a 'Take One' box filled with the brochures.  And a series of signs at each stop telling a bit about the history there.  A modest expenditure in attractive signs and brochures could more than pay off for the Town.  The only additional manpower required would be someone to refill the 'Take One' box and wander the trail from time to time to make sure the signs are still standing.

Lansing had a sewer committee.  It has an Economic Development Committee.  It has a Comprehensive Plan Committee.  It ought to have a Tourism Committee.  Because Lansing needs to do everything it can to build the tax base to provide relief to property owners whose tax bills are bringing them to the breaking point.  And if it happens to beautify the town and showcase its pride in a richly layered American heritage, well, what's wrong with that?

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