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Lansing Metro Marinas Offer Unique View of City

Book boat tours beginning this week for a fun summer on the Grand

June 29, 2010

Lansing ----- The city of Lansing has a lot to offer. And, as of today it will have more. With the right vision, innovative ideas and a community ready to appreciate the sights, entrepreneurs like Ken and Giselle Settimo will launch a successful water-filled business with help from visionaries like Pat Gillespie, founder of Gillespie Group.

Last summer, Gillespie rented a boat for a week in order to give people tours of the Grand River in downtown Lansing. He wanted to draw attention to the river and expose its many assets. More than 550 people took the tour and long after the boat had departed Lansing's waterways, people were still requesting to have the experience. It was clear there was a need that wasn't being met, and Gillespie set out to find just the right people to run with his vision; thus, the idea for Lansing Metro Marinas was born.

Lansing Metro Marinas is a locally owned business that will begin providing the city with sophisticated boat tours. You can now take a scenic boat trip through downtown Lansing on your lunch break, or rent the entire boat - which holds up to 15 passengers - for a private event or a sunset cruise.

With a vested interest in the growth, revitalization and overall betterment of our city, Gillespie was more than happy to invest in the venture the amount necessary to help launch the endeavor.

"We are very fortunate to have the river run through the heart and many hubs of downtown," says Pat Gillespie, CEO of Gillespie Group. "Lansing Metro Marinas is an innovative way to utilize such an aesthetic natural amenity by offering a unique view of our capital city to our residents and visitors."

Giselle and Ken Settimo, owners of Metro Marinas are excited to be able to bring the riverboat experience to Lansing. The Settimo's are familiar with the waterways, having owned a kayak business in the region.

"Our goal at Lansing Metro Marinas is to provide you with a new way to experience the city, so that you see it in a way you've never seen it before," says Giselle Settimo. "We are excited to see people's reactions. I don't think anyone can envision how beautiful it is on the river without experiencing it. We will offer fall color tours and sunset cruises to highlight the natural beauty of the Grand River."

Tours on the Metro Marina will run through Lansing's Stadium District, Old Town, REO Town, Potter Park and other surrounding areas. From Monday to Friday you can board the riverboat from a dock located at the new Lansing City Market, but on weekends, the boat is docked at the GrandFish at 530 River St.
Lansing Metro Marinas will launch their first tours the week of June 28. Call 517-410-0801 for additional rental information and scheduling opportunities, or visit www.metromarinas.com

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