Wednesday, April 4th, 2012

The city of Southfield is embarking on an ambitious plan to create a City Centre district, and Lawrence Tech students will have a role in designing a place where they would want to spend some time.

The “Third Place” design contest announced two weeks ago attracted a dozen entries, which have been posted in the Buell Management Building atrium. Students have been asked to vote for the proposal they like best. Voting ends on Friday.

Student Government invited all students to participate in the selection process:

“Your input is vital for us to start to build a college town atmosphere in Southfield and provide more places for students to hang out.  Vote for your favorite restaurant – a place someday soon that will stand solo in its distinction in the City of Southfield: a venue designed by LTU students, run by LTU students, and supported by LTU students.”

For more information, visit www.ltu.edu/thirdplace or email stugov@ltu.edu

The competition is sponsored by the Lawrence Tech’s Student Government and the City Centre Advisory Board, which is working with city officials on an ambitious plan to transform the area to the east of campus into a pedestrian-friendly, mixed-use environment.

The planners are including Lawrence Tech in the district, and one of the goals is to get the university community to do more in Southfield. One way to do that is to create a restaurant or bar where students would be comfortable spending leisure time.

While the City Centre project could take up to five years to implement, the City Centre Advisory Board would like to see the new “Third Place” bar or restaurant open much sooner.

The winners of the “Third Place” contest will be announced April 13.

After the design and concept has been selected, the next step will be to develop a business plan. Lawrence Tech students will be invited to submit proposals in the fall, according to Dean of Students Kevin Finn.

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