Mayor Bernero Wants to Merge Lansing, Lansing Twp. and EL - WLNS TV 6 Lansing - Jackson | Your Local News Leader

Lansing's Mayor Virg Bernero says he wants to merge the city with East Lansing and Lansing Township.

The mayor says Michigan's population is declining and each of the cities are losing young people.

But not everyone is getting on-board with the idea.

"Our millage is 8.5 and the city's is close to 19, maybe a little over. I just can't imagine our residents would want to agree to that," said Kathleen Rodgers, Treasurer of Lansing Township.

Rodgers will take over as township supervisor later this month. She tells 6 News "bigger is not necessarily always better."

Bernero believes building Lansing up as a metro-region will have big benefits.

"I'm just being honest with the fact, if we keep up our separateness, we will only be so good," said Bernero. "I think they're in denial. I think their heads are buried in the sand."

East Lansing City Manager George Lahanas also doesn't believe it will ever happen. He says the community is too seperated and residents have different needs and interests.

While he admits his plan faces several challenges, Bernero says Indianapolis, Nashville and Denver have all merged with neighboring cities.