There once was a hotel in Lansing that was brand new, in a pretty busy location, close to the Oldsmobile Factories and downtown Lansing. It was a Motel 6 in its original form, back in the 80's.
Then it downgraded and became the Deluxe Inn.
Wow.
Deluxe! It was a pretty scary place that was run down and attracted mostly prostitution and drug activity.
The owners of the Deluxe Inn couldn't pay their taxes and last year the property was purchased by The Land Bank, to be torn down and redeveloped.
However, before the building is torn down, graffiti artists were invited to do their thing on the soon to be destroyed building.
REO Town
Graffiti Artists Working Together
There are dozens of photos of the building on this webpage. I can't read half the stuff that's written, but it's very interesting.
There are also a few guidelines in place for the Deluxe project, Manzella said. Most important, you have to have been invited to participate: “We just want to keep it to a dull roar in terms of who’s gonna be there. We don’t want everyone with a spray paint can showing up.”
The public will, however, be welcome to visit the Deluxe for a viewing in August, during which “we’ll be showcasing the art and having conversations about the development of REO Town,” Manzella said.
Shortly afterward, the Deluxe will be turned over to the Fire Department, which will torch parts of the building for training exercises.
The City Pulse
A Lansing photographer took some awesome shots of the former Deluxe Inn. Her name is Melissa Keeley and she's a wedding and portrait photographer who has recently moved to Lansing, MI. I'm so happy that she took some photos of the Graffiti project. Go on over to Telltale photography to take a look. She took some really great shots!
I am pretty sure that the hotel will torn down by the time I get back to Lansing in October, but I'm happy that I got to see it's most recent incarnation through pictures.
Have a great day!
Kristin
6 comments:
Hi Kristin..what a strange painting project..but interesting. I only live 45 minutes from my home town and I swear every time I visit which is at least once a week all those grand babies living in that town there is always something different.
Thanks for your encouragement in my effort to quit smoking..I won't die from quitting; right? When does the urge to slap someone go away? It has been 6 hard days but I am determined!
I would totally love to take pictures of my kids with the art in the background! I love it.
Thanks for your comment on my blog! It's been a hot topic.
I've noticed (after moving from Blogger to WP) that most of the Blogger blogs get comments only from Blogger bloggers. (generalized)
That's very interesting...
I guess it's because it's easy. One platform, no hassle...
Anyways, have a great day!
ps. sorry about the black background...
I think it's pretty creative to invite some positive attention to a site that was associated with such negative activity!
Go Lansing!
B
Is this the scary Motel 6 that was over the bridge from our apartment on Washington? That side of town was really sketchy when I lived there in the early 1990's. How cool to have turned such a sorry building into a bright art feature for a little while.
Wouldn't it be great if it was not yet torched for fire practice in OCt? Or maybe we should visit to see what is left for your next blog update!
Together!
In Michigan!
For the first time in 11 years!
Wow!
It looks awesome. That was a great idea. Some very talented people.
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