The City of Lansing has agreed to buy a $940,000 building in downtown Lansing, a move that will keep the BoarsHead Theater downtown.
Mayor Virg Bernero signed a purchase agreement with the Arts Council of Greater Lansing last week, thereby agreeing to take over the 425 S. Grand building. Had the City passed on the opportunity, the BoarsHead Theater, which has been downtown for more than 30 years, would have left the area.
“We’re a vital part of the downtown,” says Marlene Shelton, managing director of the BoarsHead. “It’s expected that a downtown 
area has cultural institutions such as a professional theater.”
The City has a history of going to bat for the BoarsHead. Three years ago, Eaton Rapids tried to get the BoarsHead to move to Eaton Rapids.
After the BoarsHead agreed to stay in Downtown Lansing, the City further agreed to support the theater by giving it annual financial support.
Even though the BoarsHead will stay put for now, Shelton expects its current location to be a temporary fix.
It’s likely that the BoarsHead will be part of a plan to create a brand new, all-inclusive arts center in Downtown Lansing. If that happens, BoarsHead may move, but it will move into a larger Downtown space.
Source: Randy Hannan, City of Lansing
Ivy Hughes, development news editor, can be reached here.
All Photographs © Dave Trumpie
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