Neva Lee’s Speaks Out: Key Concerns for Downtown Lansing’s Future

Downtown Lansing Inc. has been instrumental in helping many businesses find their place in the heart of downtown. One of these was Neva Lee’s, a plant shop eager to plant roots in the area. However, after facing several issues with their building, Neva Lee’s is now voicing concerns about their experience with Downtown Lansing Inc. and the location at 109 South Washington Square.

I recently sat down with Faun Donald, a co-owner of Neva Lee’s, to understand her side of the story. “You really have to look out for yourself,” she shared, reflecting on her struggles to navigate the situation.

Neva Lee’s was originally thriving at a different location on Kalamazoo Street. “We had wonderful customers,” Faun recalled fondly. After being recruited by DLI to move to 109 South Washington Square, things took a turn. She soon discovered serious plumbing issues with the building, which made it impossible for her to continue operations there. As a result, she had to break her lease, leading to a lawsuit from the landlord.

When I asked about the current state of her business, Faun replied, “We have no business right now.” The landlord, who is out of state, has not responded to requests for comment.

I looked into the building’s code enforcement history and found that while there were some past violations, all had been resolved by the time Neva Lee’s operated there. Faun expressed frustration, stating, “We couldn’t use the space we paid for.” This isn’t the first complaint DLI has received regarding building conditions. Other businesses, like those in the new Middle Village space, have also raised concerns.

DLI did not provide an interview but offered some insights. They mentioned that they share similar frustrations as tenants and have worked to resolve issues with landlords and IT providers. They emphasized that they don’t intervene in contracts between businesses and landlords.

As for Neva Lee’s, DLI stated that the business received more funding than they initially sought, reflecting their ongoing commitment to improving downtown Lansing.

Despite her setbacks, Faun wants others to be aware of the challenges that small businesses face in the area. “We hope to raise awareness so that positive changes can happen,” she said.