From the shores of Daytona

Hello all! I have decided to post about our class project even though I am miles and miles away from Lansing and I-496. Before departing for "sunny" (I have to qualify that adjective as the weather has not necessarily been cooperative here) Florida, I met with my grandparents for an evening of card playing--and the opportunity to pick my grandpa's brain about our class project. As you may recall, I told the class early on that my dad works for MDOT--well so did my grandpa--which means he was working during the time that the I-496 project was underway. While he was not in any kind of supervisory or decision-making position at that point in his career, he was able to tell me quite a bit about the process. Should we choose option 2, I would be able to conduct a more formal oral interview with him. He also said he could connect me with others that could be helpful. My grandma was also very insightful about what the atmosphere in the city of Lansing was like around that time.  She had a lot to say about the perceptions of the project that we wouldn't necessarily find easily.  She suggested that we talk to Mr. Canady and Trustee Ferguson--sources we are already well aware of thanks to Matt Miller's article.

I maintain that I would like to pursue option 2 as I believe that finding sources for that project will be easier.  But more importantly, I feel that we would be exploring a side of the I-496 story that has not necessarily been explained--something good research always tries to do--fill in the gaps. I think projects like option 1 are much more common, for example the "Stan's Walk" website we looked at in the beginning of the course. I think option 2 would force us to think more outside the box and create a truly unique museum exhibit. Doing this more "creative" option, in my opinion, would also likely help us with our own projects as it covers a broader range.

Hope everyone is having a great Spring Break!