A rendering of "The Howard," a large apartment complex approved to be built in downtown East Lansing. (From agenda packet)

Construction Timeline and Other Details About East Lansing’s Next Large Apartment Building

The East Lansing City Council recently approved “The Howard,” a 12-story high-rise apartment set to replace the longstanding Student Book Store and other businesses on the same block. The building is named in honor of Howard Ballein, the late co-founder of the bookstore, which has been in the Ballein family since 1960. 

“He gave everything to my brother and I,” said Greg Ballein, the current owner of the Student Book Store. “We owe him for everything we have, plain and simple.” 

“Calling it ‘The Howard’ … that’s something our grandkids can look at in the future and say, ‘wow my grandpa built that—that’s cool,’” Ballein said. “You want them to be proud of you, just like I was proud of my father … that’s the whole point.” 

A street level rendering of “The Howard.” (From agenda packet)

The Howard will be a mass timber structure, which is a type of building that is made of large compressed pieces of wood. In 2024, East Lansing began incentivizing mass timber structures after a study committee highlighted aesthetic and environmental benefits. 

The Howard is planned to house 748 people across 296 one-, two- and three-bedroom units, with rents estimated to cost between $1,200 and $2,200 per bed. The space will offer 375 bike parking spaces and the developer will lease 224 parking spaces from the city’s parking system for tenants. The project will include amenities such as a residential library and terrace. 

On the ground floor, there is space for two businesses that are identified as restaurants in the site plan. However, Ballein said developers do not have agreements with tenants to occupy the business spaces yet. 

The East Lansing City Council voted in favor of “The Howard,” a 12-story apartment building at its July 21 meeting. (From agenda packet)

While the project was initially scheduled to break ground on Aug. 3 and finish by July 2028, the timeline was pushed back after the City Council deferred a vote on the apartment in June before ultimately approving the development at its July 21 meeting. 

Ballein expressed hope that demolition would begin this September, while city Communications Director Carrie Sampson noted that work is expected to begin in the fall. 

The precise construction start date is still pending as developer Harbor Bay Ventures awaits safety guidelines from the Michigan Department of Transportation, or MDOT.  The developer’s estimated schedule indicates construction will take about two years, including a month-long demolition phase. On this timeline, the apartment will be completed in 2028. 

The estimated timeline and planned road closures have triggered accessibility concerns for neighboring businesses. According to the City Council agenda, construction closures will affect a lane on Grand River Avenue, a portion of Charles Street and the alleyway behind The State News building. 

While addressing pedestrian safety concerns raised by Councilmember Steve Whelan at the July 21 City Council meeting, Harbor Bay Ventures Project Manager Evan Williams clarified that MDOT has indicated it wants to reroute pedestrian traffic south across Grand River Avenue at Division St. before crossing back on Charles Street, keeping pedestrians away from walking along the construction site. 

Williams noted that during the construction of The Landmark, a large downtown apartment that opened in 2019, nearby streets were closed to pedestrians until a covered walkway could be introduced. 

During the approval process, The State News, which owns the adjacent building, raised concerns about disruptions during the construction process. 

A graphic showing where developers plan to build The Howard in downtown East Lansing. (From agenda packet)

Attorney Nolan Moody, representing The State News, said at the May 13 Planning Commission meeting that its tenants, which include Foxtail Coffee Co. and Panda Express, depend on that alleyway for deliveries and building access. When reached by ELi, The State News General Manager Chris Richert said he is unable to comment as the landlord due to restrictions in tenant lease agreements. 

These concerns contributed to a nearby business deciding to vacate its space. Joseph Berry, owner of the Detroit Wing Company that was located on the same block until recently, chose not to renew his lease and permanently closed the location. 

Berry noted that the area’s existing parking issues already left his business captive to foot traffic, which he believes the high-rise construction will further deter. Berry added that he is actively searching for a new location with dedicated, convenient parking.