Still, students and community members need to think about what Jackson National Life can, and will, bring downtown.

The company has employed nearly 90 MSU students in addition to students from other colleges, such as Lansing Community College. Unlike working at Sparty’s Convenience Stores, the insurance company offers work experience to propel students’ careers. The work isn’t just a way to pay the bills; it’s a valuable resume booster, which isn’t so easy to find at an on-campus job.

The location, a 10-to-15-minute walk from most of campus, also makes it easier for students living on-campus or students without cars to get professional experience.

The location helps full-time staffers, too. Employees are encouraged to live in the downtown area, where they can walk or bike to work instead of driving through traffic and parking in the middle of East Lansing.

This is a plus for businesses, too. Instead of holing up in the office for coffee and lunch, employees can stroll down Grand River Avenue to grab a steamy cappuccino at Espresso Royale or grab a quick bite to eat with a coworker at The Peanut Barrel Restaurant.

Since work at the office began, another 135 people are walking downtown. Pedestrians on the streets give a boost to the economy and help foster a culture that celebrates walking, not just jumping in and out of a car everyday. Businesses that support walking, such as Jackson Life, help make East Lansing more sustainable in the long-term and healthier overall.

In time, the company could keep graduates in the city and draw more young families and professionals to East Lansing. If students start working there part-time, their chances for full-time work right after college, or even years down the road, multiply.

Perhaps most importantly, we’re glad the see the once-vacant space occupied. When the choice is between a struggling business and one that’s thriving, or at least doing well enough to support hiring, the choice is clear. We can’t afford to be too picky about exactly which businesses choose to set up shop downtown. What’s most important is keeping beautiful spaces from being wasted and turning into an eyesore like the dilapidated buildings across from Rick’s American Café.

Expecting an insurance company to help students and boost downtown East Lansing seems counterintuitive, but Jackson National Life has exceeded expectations. Even the feeling of walking past the building and peering into the big glass windows to see the quirky workplace inside is encouraging.

Instead of focusing on the loss of a bookstore or trying to imagine how a different business might do better, remember that Jackson National Life is an open door to further transform our city.