Published: Aug. 13, 2015
With 29 days left in the campaign, Sparrow Health System has pledged to be the lead supporter of the crowd funding campaign, Under the Bridge. This project will transform a critical intersection along Michigan Avenue and the US127 overpass and will create a vibrant pedestrian and biker-friendly gateway connecting the cities of Lansing and East Lansing. The campaign has been garnering support throughout the region and Sparrow’s contribution is the largest contribution thus far.
The funding will be used to install vandalism-resistant and maintenance-friendly lighting as well as four large murals and additional artwork to the bridge overpass which will be completed by local artist, Brian Whitfield. If the campaign reaches its crowd funding goal of $50,000 by Sept.11, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation will provide an additional $50,000 matching grant through the Public Spaces, Community Places program to fund the program.
“Sparrow’s mission is to improve the health of our community and we are constantly focused on improving access and removing barriers to care. We have called Michigan Avenue home for more than 100 years and are proud to be a lead sponsor and promoter of this project,” said Joe Ruth, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Sparrow. “Sparrow is specifically interested in having its contribution go toward the lighting element of the project, which is understood as an absolute must at such a key transit point along the corridor.”
The placemaking campaign is part of a greater regional economic development strategy happening along Michigan Avenue, which includes the Sparrow Cancer Center, which is currently under development, as well as the Red Cedar Renaissance, SkyVue, and Feldman’s Bud Kouts developments which are being finalized.
"The Under the Bridge project is a critical piece of the economic development puzzle surrounding the redevelopment of the entire Michigan Avenue corridor,” said Bob Trezise, President and CEO of LEAP. “The generous support we have received from Sparrow puts us much closer to our goal of $50,000 and we thank the team for their vision of the corridor and support of the campaign.”
For more information about the project and the campaign or to make a pledge, please visit Patronicity.com/UndertheBridge. The campaign has received just over $23,000 in pledges to date and will continue to run until Sept. 11.