UPDATE: OKEMOS - Downtown Okemos doesn't always attract a large crowd.

"For the most part I'm just passing through. Either picking people up or getting to the freeway," said Luke Kreft, East Lansing resident.

But it's always had a solid reputation

"Its always known as a downtown neighborhood. Where you can get your stuff at the hardware, get your haircut, get your drugstore needs taken care of. Buy flowers, have lunch," said William White, owner of White Bros. Music.

Local business owner William White is trying to transform downtown into a more livable, vibrant community that people are proud of. So he entered in a contest to try and get funding for his project.

"We're gonna try and lease a little spot there. We can carve out a little half circle. And put in some benches and trash receptacle. And arrange these sculptures a little more permanently," said White.

White's plan is to use the money from the "Let's Save Michigan" Contest to put towards benches that will be placed around the disco fish. In hopes of increasing foot traffic through downtown.

White said "of course the more benches you have the more people will be walking and resting."

There is only one bench on the east side of Okemos
Road provided by the downtown development authority. And there isn't another one for about three miles all the way from Grand River to Jolly Road.

"Its not a very expensive project, but the important thing is to make steps little like that, incremental progress," said White.

Progress toward a project with sentimental meaning.

"Without a sense of place, you don't know where you are. You might as well be in any town USA," said White.



ORIGINAL STORY: OKEMOS - Find out why downtown Okemos is trying to win votes for some new benches on Meridian Magazine.