Association
The Reo Town Commercial Association is the product of years of dreaming and hard work by the residents and business owners of REO Town. The Association took its name in honor of Ranson E. Olds, the founder of the Olds Motor Works and REO Motor Car Company; both of which manufactured in this area at the height of the fledgling industry. Since the fall of 2001, a dedicated group of individuals have been meeting to discuss the revitalization of South Washington Avenue. Now the Commercial Association exists to help those people.
The Reo Town Commercial Association works to bring back the vitality that this area once knew at the height of production of Oldsmobiles and REOs. Because this area is in the core of automotive history in Lansing, REO Town is becoming the center of growing interest in the historical development of the automobile.
REO Town has already hosted several events focusing on automobile production throughout history. Recently, the REO Town/River Point area was listed on the Automotive Heritage Trail as an attraction of the Lansing Corridor. The REO Town Centennial Celebration and Homecoming was held in July, 2004 and featured a 150-car procession of vintage REO cars. Approximately 8,000 people from all over the country attended this event, which gave local businesses a flurry of customers.
Through façade improvement grants, neighborhood events, careful design, and successful fundraising, Reo Town Commercial Association will continue to bring new people to REO Town and ensure that those who are here stay. REO Town will be actively promoted as a good place to live, work, shop, and play. With the revitalization of the area, REO Town will be a destination for the residents of Mid-Michigan to enjoy not only the history of the automobile, but also the role of state-of-the-art automotive production at the new General Motors plant.
The Reo Town Commercial Association adopted its by-laws in 2002 and was granted 501 (c) 3 non-profit status in 2003. The by-laws created a board of directors, which includes representation from all three neighborhood associations in the area, and committees to focus on economic restructuring, design, promotion, fundraising, and façade improvement. The Commercial Association receives funding from Local Initiative Support Corporation (LISC), the City of Lansing, the Great Lakes Capital Fund, Michigan Interfaith Trust Fund, Capital Region Community Foundation, membership dues, and generous donations.