TIFA Receives One Application to Manage Dawn Theater as RFP Deadline Passes
G&T Events, LLC—owned by Gianna and Timothy Green—submitted the only proposal.
The Dawn Theater—The Tax Increment Finance Authority received one proposal to manage the Dawn Theater.
The Request for Proposal period opened on March 20, 2025, and it closed on July 8. CL Real Estate Development’s contract to rent and manage the Dawn Theater ended on June 17.
G&T Events, LLC—owned by Gianna and Timothy Green—submitted the only proposal. Gianna managed the Dawn Theater from its grand opening in February 2022 until September 2025.
“As the sole full-time employee of the Dawn Theater, I managed every aspect of the business,” Gianna wrote in the proposal. “I was responsible for everything from event planning and staff training to catering coordination and customer service.”
If their proposal were accepted, G&T Events would reopen the Dawn Theater “as soon as possible.” The Dawn Theater has been temporarily closed since CL stepped away.
G&T Events would aim to bring a dozen events to the Dawn Theater each year—six hosted by the Dawn and six hosted by local organizations—and try to attract new events like a “bridal expo, vintage markets, art showcases, partnerships with local theaters and schools, and dance performances.”
G&T Events would also seek to update the bar and balcony areas, promote the Dawn through advertising and community partnerships, and foster a strong relationship with the Friends of the Dawn Theater.
TIFA’s Targeted Development Committee met on July 10 to discuss the RFP.
In an email about the proposal, TIFA Chair Andrew Gelzer said the committee noted the proposal’s “quality” and fit with the request’s specifications, but it did not propose a length for the lease, new investment into the theater, or a plan for the liquor license.
According to Gelzer, the Targeted Development Committee agreed that it would like to have more than one application to review before making a final decision.
The members recommended that TIFA extend the RFP period for another 30 days and keep advertising, as it has only used half of its advertising budget. TIFA previously extended the deadline from May 19 to July 8.
TIFA will consider the RFP and possibly vote on an extension at its next meeting on July 15 at 7:30 a.m.
The RFP was advertised in multiple media markets through WLNS, a Lansing-based television station.
Joshua Paladino
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Sad!