LANSING — Commission staff presented a conceptual design for a new downtown park linking the state Capitol, Hall of Justice, Michigan History Center and nearby memorials, calling the proposal a smaller-scale version of the National Mall intended to enhance connectivity and visitor experience.

John Goldman said the design preserves significant historic features, creates a 'We The People Plaza' visual center, and adds an amphitheater for outdoor classrooms or small performances, restroom and picnic areas, and improved walkways to the Lansing River Trail. The plan reserves parking requested by the Department of Technology, Management and Budget (DTMB). Staff have engaged the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and Law Enforcement Officers Memorial on connectivity and programming.

Goldman said the project remains in planning and requires construction authorization to proceed; DTMB has not issued a construction authorization letter and the commission is hopeful that supplemental bill language this session will allow the project to move to construction. Commissioners asked about the ordinary DTMB process and the potential use of letters or supplemental appropriation language to authorize construction.