It is known that Old Town embodies the essence of vision and innovation.
The recent transformation of Lansing’s Cedar Street School into Lansing’s Old Town Medical Arts Center underscores the essence of Old Town on an entirely new level. Notably, this 21,000-square-foot building is in the running for Gold Level LEED certification, which would award highly earned recognition to its owners and developers.

This undertaking transitioned the Cedar Street School building from no use to mixed use. Built in the late 1800s, the Cedar Street School sat vacant for nearly 35 years until Dr. Gail Shafer-Crane PhD, OTR, CHT and Dr. Carla Guggenheim, board certified rheumatologist and internist, purchased the building last year. Teaming up with Kincaid Building Group, they collectively began turning their vision of a breathtaking and distinctive mixed use medical facility into a reality. This month marks the grand opening of Old Town Medical Arts Center, and it is causing quite a buzz throughout the community.

Occupational therapist Dr. Gail Shafer-Crane, who specializes in hand rehabilitation and physical therapy, opened ARM Assessment Rehabilitation Management practice in south Lansing 20 years ago. Her partner, Dr. Carla Guggenheim, has operated her practice in East Lansing for the past ten years and will now occupy one of two physician offices on the second floor of the center. The two teamed to purchase, renovate and transform history into a work of art and a place for patients and the general population to heal.

Highly trained therapists and medical professionals, including osteopaths, continue to serve ARM’s patients, and will now do so in a completely different setting and atmosphere, according to Shafer, whose office will occupy much of the third floor along with RiverView Fitness Center. “Medical situations always induce a level of stress for patients. The Medical Arts Center is designed to create a welcoming, nonclinical, almost homey environment to help ease, if not eliminate, the stress of all who enter the center,” says Shafer.

The owners, together with Kincaid Henry’s team, maintained the integrity of this historic landmark, yet embellished its natural beauty into a work of art. The building’s high ceilings, open staircases, full-spectrum natural light, indigenous greenery and plantings inside and out, offer a visually appealing experience from its tree-filled, park-like parking lot to whichever destination its patrons, patients and clientele choose once inside the center. Be it the snack kiosk, RiverView Fitness Center, Dr. Guggenheim’s rheumatology practice on the second floor, offices of one of the other physicians, or offices and retailers who will soon occupy space, the experience for all is one of beauty, tranquility and healing.

According to Shafer, the snack kiosk sells healthy snacks, smoothies, coffee and tea to further enhance the calming effect in this nonallergenic building. “This is far more than a medical facility; it is a place for people to heal,” says Shafer.

Appealing to Old Town residents, the center attracts the north-south commuters with RiverView Fitness Center, which is open from 5:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Headed by fitness director Kristine Kotula, RiverView Fitness features cardio and weight training in the gym and is by the owners’ standards, a boutique gym. Kotula instructs classes in zoomba (a cross between Latin and American dance), tai chi and yoga.

According to Ryan Kincaid, transforming the Cedar Street School into the City of Lansing’s first geothermal system building was far from an easy endeavor. Kincaid’s team, also the force behind the 2007 IKEA makeover in Old Town, ran into a host of surprises during renovations, including bird, bat and other animal carcasses. “We uncovered buried brick and stone from remnants of other buildings and old bedrock under the ground which made laying the foundation and putting in an elevator a huge challenge,” says Kincaid.

On the upside, however, Kincaid adds, “This is a gem of a building that has really held its value, and we’ve been able to bring to life a lot of really cool details like terrazzo floors, exposed brick and a bright, open design.”

Kincaid followed the owners’ vision by making the entire landscaping zero scaping. “All the landscaping is native to Michigan so it needs very little water, no irrigation, and they’re self-sustaining indigenous plants,” says Kincaid. The team also implemented a rainwater collection system, which collects water from the roof, which then filters to a cistern inside the building with a pump and filter mechanism that filters it back up to the plumbing. According to Kincaid, this is a completely self-sustained plumbing system for the bathroom facilities that will save approximately 47,000 gallons of water per year.

With no natural gas coming into the building, Kincaid explains they created a system that provides a constant temperature for continuous comfort, resulting in an enormous cost savings. Meeting standards of the U.S. Green Building Council throughout the entire center was an overriding goal for the team. Doors, flooring and trim including paint, primers, as well as post- and pre-consumer contents, were used during the buildout, and each meets standards of the U.S. Green Building Council. “The center’s lighting package is fully controllable, very automated with sensors in every room, so they’re turned off when they’re not in use,” says Kincaid.

Kincaid’s enthusiasm is palpable. “I think people will be surprised and shocked and excited. Coming down to Old Town, people have a preconceived notion of what’s going on down there, but they’ll go ‘wow’ and fall in love! It’s set up so well for users and clients and employees. This building will enhance property values and will energize the whole area.”

Echoing his sentiments is Brittney Hoszkiw, executive director of the Old Town Commercial Association (OCTA), who says, “The center is bringing a different group into our area, and it will be a huge asset not just to the commercial district, but also north Lansing and surrounding neighborhoods.”

Old Town Medical Arts Center may very well ignite jobs from MSU graduates, interns and more. Not only has this building been renovated, likely the entire area will be renewed by way of the center’s import into Old Town. The center is a destination for commuters, and having poured $3 million into purchasing and renovating, the owners are committed to revolutionizing the art of healing for surrounding neighborhood residents right here at home, in the heart of Lansing’s Old Town.

Author: Tamera Nielsen
Photography: Terri Shaver