Motor Wheel Lofts - Lansing MI

These photos were taken on a walk around the 'hood on May 25, 2007, while my kids were staying with me. The entire walk, with lots of poking around and a stop at the Farmer's Market, took an hour and a half; we walked less than a mile, I'm certain. I live five minutes from the river, including waits for two crossing lights. Lansing, Michigan is not a large place. The population has been decreasing since the 1980's as the US automobile industry self-destructs. The state and local economy is in shreds at this point. It's kind of grim, but I've lived in Michigan since 1977; twice as long as I lived in Oklahoma (where I grew up), three times as long as I lived in Missouri (where I was born, and went to college and graduate school). Kansas (three months) and New Jersey (six months; both in the same year) don't count. Also, I like winter!

PHOTO 1
My daughter in the NE corner of the loft.
PHOTO 2
North part of the complex. Lansing North Precinct Police headquarters is on the left.
PHOTO 3
Still on the north, past the railway track.
PHOTO 4
North end of the north wing. Not sure what is in the part north of the smokestack.
PHOTO 5
Boof on the beer can of the gods?
PHOTO 6
In a closed convenience store on the way to the riverwalk.
PHOTO 7
Closer to the smokestack from outside. Notice the fire escape.
PHOTO 8
This is what you see from the top of the fire escape nearest to my loft.
PHOTO 9
Now part of the riverwalk, a railroad bridge for the spur that delivered coal to the power plant we see real soon. The State Capitol building is in the distance.
PHOTO 10
View from the railroad bridge looking south, including the old Ottowa Street powerplant. (Lansing owns its power utility.)
PHOTO 11
Looking back at the railroad bridge.
PHOTO 12
Bird sculpture in Riverfront Park.
PHOTO 13
Closer to former powerplant. This building is for sale. Cooling towers are part of downtown steam system.
PHOTO 14
Front door of the powerplant, taken from the foot bridge in the next photo.
PHOTO 15
Foot bridge between Radisson and Lansing Center.
PHOTO 16
Looking toward home after leaving Farmers Market.
PHOTO 17
Walking up Saginaw.
PHOTO 18
Taken from same location as previous; across the street from MWL.
PHOTO 19
Motor Wheel Lofts from entrance to Oak Park.
PHOTO 20
In Oak Park.
PHOTO 21
The main Neogen building, from Oak Park.
PHOTO 22
Another view from the fire escape at the end of the hallway by my loft.

More photos, of the interior of the loft.