It's only took about 20 years and four mayors to get this thing off the ground but it's finally here.

97.5 NOW FM logo
Get our free mobile app

Downtown Lansing Gets It's Standing Ovation.

Literally. In more ways than one.

The new downtown entertainment and arts facility will be called "The Ovation". When construction is completed it will stand at the corner of Washington Ave. and Lenawee Street (currently a parking lot).

Google Maps
Google Maps
loading...
Google Maps
Google Maps
loading...

Besides the fact that it's been in the works forever, it will serve as the perfect venue for artists to make a stop in Lansing. Usually, they pass us by and head to Detroit or Grand Rapids.  Now, they've got a reason and a place to stop.

...The Ovation is designed to fill the empty market niche between smaller venues and the 2,000-seat Wharton Center. A major goal is to draw national rock, country, hip-hop, comedy, and other attractions that typically skip Lansing to play in Detroit or Grand Rapids. (Lansing City Pulse)

And not just an entertainment center. A cultural arts and entertainment hub that will also serve as a permanent home for the Lansing Public Media Center.

Early plans call for constructing a venue that can house  1,530 seats — or 2,025 standing concertgoers — which could also possibly house local arts and culture organizations like the All of the Above Hip-Hop Academy and the Lansing Art Gallery. (Lansing City Pulse)

What's the price tag for our new venue? Estimates put it at around $21 million with at least $10 million in dedicated arts funding from the city and state already set aside.

And The Ovation makes two?!?

A little while back, we told you about a little space right down the road that was about to undergo a little bit of a transformation.

Another venue for live entertainment could soon open its doors in Lansing. RBM Properties is proposing a $355,000 renovation to a building on Washington Square. (WILX)

The building in question is located in downtown Lansing at 224 S. Washington Square.  The building has been in Lansing for roughly 100 years. The last residents inside the building were the Blue Knight Hookah Lounge.

Read More: This Lansing Building Could Become The Next Venue For Live Music

That would put this new proposed venue only a few short blocks away from the proposed location of "The Ovation".

We've heard all this before but the funds do seem to be in the right place this time.

Once they finish ironing out the details, paperwork and get everyone on the same page, officials are saying construction COULD start this year.

Head here to read the article from Lansing City Pulse about "The Ovation".

These are the 28 Best Places to Take Friends and Family When Visiting Lansing

LOOK: Things from the year you were born that don't exist anymore

The iconic (and at times silly) toys, technologies, and electronics have been usurped since their grand entrance, either by advances in technology or breakthroughs in common sense. See how many things on this list trigger childhood memories—and which ones were here and gone so fast you missed them entirely.

The Best Places for Happy Hour in the Lansing Area

When that 5 o'clock feeling starts arriving early, say around 4 o'clock, it's probably time to call it quits for the day and take a little break. You can bring along co-workers or grab your friends and head to any of these places in the greater Lansing area. These 14 restaurants, bars, and pubs have the best happy hour around.

More From 97.5 NOW FM