Mayor makes another BWL appointment

WEDNESDAY, NOV. 21 — An architectural voice is headed to the Lansing Board of Water & Light.

By an 8-0 vote, the City Council’s Committee of the Whole has recommended the appointment of David Lenz, of Lansing, to serve on the BWL board of directors through 2021. The Council is expected to act on the nomination on Monday. Lansing Mayor Andy Schor nominated Lenz.

He will replace Dennis Louney, who resigned last summer.

"I believe in public ownership," Lenz wrote in an application filed in September. "Citizen’s voices are essential to good governance and serving on the commission will allow me to represent the people of Ward 01, Precinct 03.”

Schor had planned to reappoint Louney to the BWL board. But after Louney resigned from the Ingham County Board of Commissioners amid allegations of campaign finance violations, Schor withdrew the nomination, citing a “breach of public trust.”

Lenz couldn’t immediately be reached for comment but his resume was available within public records.

Lenz, who moved to Lansing in 1987, works as an architect for Bermann Associates, managing projects up to $2 million that include retail, mixed-use, institutional and professional office projects.

He has a master’s degree in architecture from the University of Detroit Mercy and serves in a variety of leadership positions. He also serves as the president of the Mid-Michigan Chapter of the American Institute of Architects and as the director of the Public Space Design Team for the Lansing Area Economic Partnership.

Lenz previously worked for Studio Intrigue Architects and also served as an adjunct professor at Lansing Community College.

“I also believe a publicly owned utility should reflect and serve the community,” Lenz added in his application materials. “I hope to be the voice of my community and help ensure the Lansing Board of Water and Light responds to the community's needs and acts in the best interests of the residents of Lansing."

The City Council is expected to finalize Lenz’ appointment on Nov. 26.