A rendering of a stalled apartment complex that would provide up to 103 units of affordable housing downtown. The rendering was created by Chicago-based developer Convexity in 2019, but was used in a presentation given by PK Companies – the Okemos developer now working to bring the apartment complex to East Lansing.

Developers are Still Hoping to Build Affordable Housing Near Valley Court Park

City officials remain hopeful that an affordable housing project that has stalled for years could be built near Valley Court Park. 

City Council received a presentation on an affordable housing proposal that has previously been referred to as “Building C” but developers are now calling Emerald Point Apartments. Along with the proposed apartments being affordable, the developer has partnered with a local nonprofit organization to offer extra support to residents, if the long-delayed apartment complex is eventually built. 

In 2018, Chicago-based developer Convexity reached an agreement with the city to build The Graduate Hotel, pricey apartment complex The Abbot and a third apartment building that would primarily be made up of affordable units. The affordable complex allowed The Abbot to fulfill a requirement that 25% of units in new housing developments downtown be dedicated to affordable housing or another category that diversifies the area’s housing stock. 

City officials are hopeful an apartment containing 103 affordable units will be built at this site near Valley Court Park. (Dylan Lees for ELi)

While The Abbot opened in 2020, ground has still not been broken on the affordable complex. In 2023, City Council allowed Convexity to transfer the affordable housing project to PK Companies, an Okemos developer that specializes in affordable housing. 

Before City Council approved shifting the development to PK, it was warned that bringing affordable housing is challenging. For the project, PK needs to receive low-income housing tax credits from the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA). Applications for the credits are accepted only twice per year, in April and October, and developers face significant competition for approval. Because of the limited availability of credits, it was expected to take PK multiple applications to gain approval. 

PK will soon submit its fourth application to the state for the tax credits. At the Tuesday, Sept. 16 City Council meeting, a representative from PK said she is optimistic that approval will come in the next round of applications.

“With each round [of submissions], our team has refined its vision, strengthened partnerships and sharpened the case for why East Lansing deserves this investment,” said Rochelle Trotter, development operations coordinator for PK. 

Trotter said the Emerald Point apartment complex has received many endorsements from area nonprofit organizations and politicians, which are heavily weighed by MSHDA and could help sway decision makers to approve PK’s application for the tax credits.

A slide from PK’s presentation showing endorsements the Emerald Point Apartments have received. (From meeting agenda)

Trotter also shared updates on the project. PK plans to build 103 affordable units, with a mix of studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments. The units being affordable means they would be priced for people making 30-80% of the area median income. 

Additionally, Trotter said that PK has formed a partnership with Child and Family Charities to offer tenants youth programs, services to improve financial literacy and job readiness, and more. 

“Through this collaboration, CFC [Child Family Charities] gains hands-on experience in developing and managing affordable apartments, and PK deepens its understanding of designing and delivering a full spectrum of optional services,” Trotter said. 

Child and Family Charities CEO Julie Thomasma said the nonprofit organization reaches over 20,000 people through more than 30 programs each year. 

‘When we heard about this project and the opportunity to have affordable housing in East Lansing, our board was so excited,” Thomasma said. “We’re excited to be able to wrap our services around people who will be in the building.”

A slide from PK’s presentation explaining the programming it plans to foster in partnership with Child and Family Charities. (From meeting agenda)

Thomasma said Emerald Point residents would have access to all Child and Family Charity programs, including substance abuse treatment, mental health support, life coaching, case management and more. She added that Child and Family Charities would have an on-site presence at Emerald Point. 

Additionally, Trotter said PK is looking to partner with Canines For Change, the same organization that provided comfort dogs to the East Lansing Police Department and East Lansing schools. 

Canines For Change may provide Emerald Point residents with regular events, like Read to a Dog, junior dog training courses and dog agility sessions at Valley Court Park. 

Mayor George Brookover said he hopes MSHDA approves PK’s application for the tax credits. 

“We hope that you succeed on your fourth attempt,” Brookover said. “The City of East Lansing’s been waiting a long time for this and I think we all, in unanimity, look forward to it happening.”