ASM Global to operate Lansing Center, Groesbeck and stadium under LEPFA deal; board vote expected May 20

Tristan Wright, president of the Lansing Entertainment and Public Facilities Authority, told the City Council Committee of the Whole on May 12 that LEPFA plans to contract day‑to‑day management of the Lansing Center, Groesbeck Golf Course and the stadium to ASM Global.

The LEPFA president said the authority’s request to the city would decrease by $12,358 under the proposed management arrangement and that ASM Global “will be contributing $500,000 for mutually agreed upon customer facing revenue generating capital improvements to LAPFA.”

Nut graf: The discussion matters because the management change alters who employs facility staff, could change operating subsidies the city pays over several years and shifts responsibility for most daily operations from a public authority to a private operator. Council members pressed LEPFA and ASM on employee retention, capital responsibilities and the timeline for executing the management contract.

ASM Global’s regional vice president, Brian Crow, told council that ASM will hire and retain the majority of current employees working at the facilities and that the company will either assume or negotiate existing bargaining agreements. “It is our intent to negotiate, with with their I know there are I believe there are 3, bargain groups for employees, and we would be either assuming existing agreements or will negotiate either directly or in partnership with Lehi for continuation of those agreements,” Crow said.

Wright and Crow said ASM will not cover capital improvements above $10,000 as part of routine operations. Wright said the $500,000 proposed from ASM is “focused on the face forward, type of improvements…something that has the generating factor to it.” Crow added that ASM will pursue revenue enhancements such as food and beverage optimization, sponsorships and naming rights and hopes efficiencies from national procurement partnerships will lower operating costs.

Council members pressed LEPFA and ASM on employee notices that had been mailed under the WARN Act. LEPFA and ASM officials said the notices were required under statute and that LEPFA sent them in anticipation of the transition; LEPFA said ASM informed staff and met with employees the next business day. Wright said the notices were sent under legal timing requirements and that an emergency staff meeting followed to answer employee questions.

Asked about the near‑term city subsidy, ASM said the first‑year budget shows only a small reduction but projected larger year‑over‑year subsidy reductions in years two through five as revenue initiatives take hold. A city strategy official said the administration’s estimate of five‑year savings from the partnership is about $2 million compared with the status quo, though that official also said some of those savings could be reinvested into capital work.

The LEPFA board had not executed the ASM contract as of the May 12 meeting; LEPFA representatives told the council they expect board action on the agreement on May 20. City staff and the city attorney said the city‑side documents (the city’s licensing and management agreement with LEPFA) would remain in effect through their current expiration date in October 2026 unless the council chooses otherwise.

Ending: Council members asked for more detail on multi‑year subsidy projections, the facility condition assessments ASM will perform and the specifics of how collective bargaining agreements will be handled during the transition. Council President Cost moved the agenda along after the LEPFA presentation; no council vote on the LEPFA/ASM agreement was taken at the May 12 meeting.