5-Year Plan
Turner-Dodge House & Historical Center PRIORITIES:
1. Provide for staffing, programming and marketing of the Center, benefaction of Dodge Park including stabilization of the river bank and further development of the River Walk and Heritage Garden with funded support of the park millage.
2. Completion of Phase II. This should include updating electrical and mechanical systems and renovation/restoration of interpretive period rooms, new parking on the west side, and landscaping improvements. Phase II depends heavily on local support from the private sector, as well as grant funding resources such as federal preservation and foundation grants. The Friends of Turner-Dodge House, Inc. have initiated Phase II funding efforts.
3. Completion of Phase III. This should include reconstruction of the two-story house to the west of the Turner-Dodge House to serve as a Visitor Orientation Center, handicapper access, and interior restructuring to serve as offices, archival and storage area, gift shop, exhibit area, interpretive area, and banquet room for revenue generating private functions. The City should seize the opportunity to acquire adjacent properties as indicated in the Master Plan for the Turner-Dodge House and Park as they become available.
4. Completion of the replication of a turn-of-the-century Carriage House to the northwest of the Turner-Dodge House for interpretive programming. The Friends of Turner-Dodge House, Inc. are initiating funding for the construction of the Carriage House.
5. The home and curtilage will serve the people of Lansing by functioning as a living Cultural Heritage Center and interpreting capital region history (1845-1945). It shall be open to the public on a year-round basis for cultural, recreational, and educational programs.
DISCUSSION:
The growing awareness of the need for preservation of significant landmarks and the increased interest in local history and cultural heritage programs have generated public support for renovation of facilities like the Turner-Dodge House. The educational and recreational benefit to the local community, to local revitalization projects (The Historic Commercial District of Old Town, north Lansing) and the increased potential for tourism dollars make this a viable project.
