The proposal was defeated 3-2. Hagan Reality owners are not sure what their next steps will be for the properties but vow not to give up.
Material just released under the Freedom of Information Act shows the Metzger/Fabian family chose to redevelop their portion of Parking Lot #11 after being told the city would not continue to rent it for parking.
Hagan Realty says the project will be good for the city, while residents of the 600 block of Grove Street continue to disagree.
Internal communications reveal what’s been happening with the long-awaited Trader Joe’s store set to be built across Grand River Avenue from Whole Foods in East Lansing.
The loss of surface parking is the chief objection of critics. But the owners of the land say the lot is going to be redeveloped one way or another.
The variance was approved 4-3 after back and forth discussion at the board’s Aug. 2 meeting.
“Parking is everything,” said one local business owner in objection to the plan. But the developer insisted the privately-owned parking lot parcel is “going away” regardless of whether his project is approved.
What’s the plan for 530 Albert Ave.? ELi explains the proposal, the opposition and the backstory.
There’s no topic quite so contentious as parking downtown, as became evident at Thursday’s DDA meeting.
Long-anticipated opening of the Abbot Road branch was celebrated during a July 21 event featuring music, local foods, and speakers from the credit union, university, city and more.
A decision on University Lutheran’s request for a variance for the size of a solar array was tabled after questions arose about other approved projects.
East Lansing’s City Council has decided to relieve developer DRW Convexity of its responsibilities where downtown affordable housing is concerned and to give PK Companies a try instead. As part of their Park District project, Chicago-based developers DRW Convexity agreed to construct an affordable apartment building at a now-vacant lot known as “Parcel C” (333…
Who has and hasn’t applied to be city manager? Why the chatter about moving city operations? And what’s going on with the independent investigation into the anonymous complaint? ELi brings you up to speed on these stories and more.
ELi catches you up on big business in the city coming this Tuesday.
Three big surprises on this coming Tuesday’s City Council agenda.
A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request turns up a surprising letter, and the vice president for developer ACD explains how a project would restrict who can rent there.
Homeowners just to the south are objecting to the proposal, but the church to the north supports it.
The 2018 deal with DRW/Convexity and City Council is setting the stage for the current council to make a big decision.
River Caddis Development’s exclusive deal is facing expiration on July 17; the DDA will ponder the new “collaborative approach” for the next 30 days.
The proposal had its first public airing at East Lansing’s Downtown Development Authority (DDA) meeting today. ELi brings you the details.
ELi provides longitudinal, comprehensive, investigative reporting on big redevelopment projects in East Lansing. This page is designed to make it easy for our readers to see all of our reporting on American Community Developers’ proposal for affordable rental apartments at 530 Albert Ave.
The wastewater treatment plant is processing over 4 billion gallons a year…and water rates are going up. Bike lanes are coming to Coolidge and Hagadorn Roads. The Red Cedar Neighborhood will get a new water main. What else can you expect in the coming year?
If City Council follows the committee’s recommendations, the pie will be split many ways between public services and infrastructure projects.
The conversation was tense as Interim City Manager Randy Talifarro spoke to the eight-page draft reorganization plan that’s been rattling East Lansing’s government.
Residents have been granted one-year land leases as the developers, FP Investors, are seeking a final decision from Council for further development.
If the project known as “Building C” shifts to a new, local developer who specializes in affordable housing, the number of income-restricted apartments built downtown may go up from 74 to 99. And they’ll be designed for families.
Why was “catastrophe” looming? ELi explains and tells you what happened with the latest refinance of the Evergreen Properties debt.
ELi obtained the grant materials related to the proposed $2.5 million renovation and found some interesting claims made by East Lansing’s former director of planning.
A group of East Lansing homeowners are trying to preserve neighborhood aesthetics.
In what’s become a fairly regular occurrence, ELi received an anonymous tip this afternoon of another major resignation from the City of East Lansing’s workforce.
“This decision should put an end to [Chappelle’s] vindictive crusade,” ELi’s attorney Brian Wassom said about the decision, “and serve as a reassurance to journalists across the state that freedom of the press is still alive and well in Michigan.”
Some people remain very unhappy with the idea of paving over the center of the park for a pavilion, while others are excited by the designs. See the new renderings and find out what happened at the last Planning Commission meeting.
If the “test” area for a new form-based zoning code works out, it could be implemented in other parts of East Lansing, too.
East Lansing residents are adamant they deserve a voice in where cell towers are built.
Revised plans will be made public for the first time; new plans include providing performance space.
East Lansing’s Human Rights Commission is asking if others think they were discriminated against by DTN. In this report, ELi looks at how the big student housing market impacts housing options for other demographics in East Lansing.
ELi obtained the information via the leak of an internal communication. Tom Fehrenbach’s departure adds to the turmoil in the city’s leadership.
City of East Lansing staff say more than 50 new “small cell” towers may be coming around town.
More units of housing, but fewer residents. And a more diverse populace. What else changed about East Lansing from 2010 to 2020?
The vote came down 7-2-1 and puts a hard stop on the extensions in July 2023. ELi’s Lucas Day reports.
What the DDA decides this Thursday could determine not just whether River Caddis Development obtains a special deal that will exclude other developers, but also what gets built next downtown and how much longer the DDA will prolong its bond debt. ELi catches you up.
Before the bond refinance passed 3-1, Council members raised questions about why the DDA debt is barely paid off after 13 years, which taxes are being diverted to the DDA, and more.
On Tuesday, Dec. 6, East Lansing’s City Council is poised to make decisions on whether East Lansing should be declared a Sanctuary City and whether the DDA’s loan on the Evergreen Properties should be refinanced again. ELi explains how you can weigh in.
ELi brings you a special “follow the money” report. Find out how captured taxes are and aren’t being used in East Lansing today and how East Lansing homeowners are carrying the burden of public services for big new buildings downtown.
A reader asked ELi to look into what’s going on with plans for a Trader Joe’s store in East Lansing. We investigated the public record and asked around, and now we bring you the results.
Another failed proposal for the Evergreen Properties, land the DDA purchased almost 15 years ago using public bonds. Those bonds will be refinanced again.
How will Lisa Babcock be replaced? Which development proposal does the city staff recommend for 300 new units of housing? And what else happened at East Lansing’s City Council this week?
Should the park be used for a farmers’ market pavilion? Have space for a dog park? A performance venue? Find out from ELi what Planning Commissioners and Historic District Commissioners had to say this week.
![New Merritt Road Marijuana Shop Gets Built, Hotel and Other Retail in Limbo [Updated]](https://eastlansinginfo.news/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/High-Society-Merritt-Road1-768x558.jpg)
Update: The Planning Commission has voted unanimously to recommend approval of the developers’ request to sell recreational marijuana alongside medical marijuana at the new High Society shop.
![QD at Michigan/Harrison Will Become a Party/Convenience Store [UPDATED]](https://eastlansinginfo.news/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/QD-Closing-768x569.jpg)
The new store expects to open in the next couple months, after liquor license requirements are complete.
Revised plans may be available as soon as this Wednesday, Nov. 9, for the Planning Commission meeting. What are people asking for in terms of changes?
It looks like the QD near Brody is closing. We answer a reader’s question about whether a marijuana dispensary could locate there.
Excitement for the $2 million improvements at Valley Court Park is tempered by concerns about some aspects of the proposal.
The proposal, if successful, would bring a lot more student housing plus another new parking garage to downtown East Lansing.
Board Vice President Chris Martin says the board does not yet have enough information to approve the project.
Valley Court farmers market pavilion and downtown lighting may be partially funded with HUD CDBG monies.
The sentencing follows a guilty plea of tax evasion arising from what the DOJ describes as Chappelle’s near decade-long effort to prevent the IRS from collecting taxes he and his business owed.
At Tuesday’s meeting, Council also went into closed session to evaluate the City Manager and approved a commercial rezoning on the north side.
Find out from ELi what’s happening today and tomorrow that you might not want to miss.
As climate change makes severe weather events more common, East Lansing’s sewer system has been stretched to capacity.
New documents released by the court show dueling visions of a longtime area real estate developer.
The city manager and mayor debated use of public funds, as Council member Brookover was absent again.
The farmers market will likely get a new pavilion. What about other big changes potentially coming to that part of town?
ELi brings you up to speed on that big brick wall, the construction site dispute, and what we can expect in terms of taxes and activities once the project opens.
A caveat in the original development deal seemingly left Council with two options that it saw as less than ideal. The bottom line remains that affordable housing development in Valley Court is now on ice. Andrew Graham reports.
Prices for parking at meters and City-owned ramps and lots may increase this summer. City staff is also calling for Council to consider a hike in fines for parking meter violations. Clay Oppenhuizen and Emily Joan Elliott explain why.
Andrew is joined by ELi’s Founder, Alice Dreger, for a discussion about various projects going on downtown and around town, plus what can be done to boost a downtown. Check it out!
Construction was originally set to begin in 2020, but was delayed due to the pandemic. Clay Oppenhuizen reports for ELi that construction is now set to get going this year.
The Albert EL Fresco is set to reopen later this spring, but the City is still looking for someone to provide outdoor seating, shade, and lighting infrastructure for the space. Andrew Graham reports.
Council member Brookover’s arguments against approving a Special Use Permit to establish a fraternity at 532 Ann St. resulted in a 2-2 split vote, meaning the SUP was not approved, as many non-student residents expressed concern about the impact of student housing, especially, fraternities and sororities, on their communities.
![Ask ELi: A Fence on Campus, Basketball Hoops Unlocked, and Construction On Burcham Drive [UPDATED]](https://eastlansinginfo.news/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Schools-on-Burcham-768x429.png)
ELi’s Emily Joan Elliott brings a few pieces of news and a noteworthy PSA about construction on Burcham Drive.
In this episode of The Insider, Andrew and Emily go in-depth on the recent discussions at City Council and Planning Commission regarding the Northern Tier. It’s a discussion ranging from land use to town-gown relations, so give it a listen!
Andrew is joined by Dan Bollman to discuss the state of housing in East Lansing and delve into some of the various ways the City could alter zoning or other laws to, potentially, make housing more affordable and accessible in East Lansing. Listen in!
In the latest discussions about what to do with the Northern Tier regarding planning and housing, East Lansing’s Planning Commission discussed forming a specific committee to study the area and consider what could be done. What might the next steps entail?
Council re-upped a policy that streamlines the process for restaurants to apply for expanded outdoor seating, but the big news about the City’s settlement in a FOIA lawsuit was buried in the consent agenda. Andrew Graham reports.
One of the proposed locations for a development of affordable housing geared toward creatives is Valley Court Park. Emily Joan Elliott digs in to what else is in the feasibility report and what we can learn.
Andrew is joined by ELi’s Alice Dreger to talk about where things stand regarding MSU’s sophomores-on-campus housing rule and other related issues. Listen in!
The DDA approved a budget amendment to support the Albert EL Fresco, but some DDA members had questions about the large figure. Andrew Graham reports on that and the bat infestation at a DDA-owned property.
At its first meeting of 2022, the Commission dealt with three frats, an application for a Special Use Permit for a dispensary to sell recreational marijuana, and discussed plans for a City lot on the Northern Tier and the near-term housing action plan.
Council discussed plans for marketing and development of a City-owned property in the northern tier. What might we expect to see there?
MSU has seriously changed the game for housing sophomores at fraternities and sororities in East Lansing. ELi’s Andrew Graham connects the dots to bring this special report.
Catch up with ELi on the latest in downtown East Lansing redevelopment, including potentially in Valley Court Park.
When one thinks local business, 7-Eleven doesn’t readily come to mind. This week, ELi’s Andrew Graham hopes to change that thinking with an interview with Ali Haider, who has owned and operated the downtown 7-Eleven for more than five years. Listen in!
Food trucks and a continued suspension of meetings for the City of East Lansing’s boards and commissions: we bring you a quick rundown of some things we’re keeping an eye on.
At Tuesday’s Council meeting, a representative from McAlvey, Merchant & Associates updated Council on the firm’s successes advocating on behalf of the City at the State Capitol, but at least two Council members called for clearer communication between the lobbyists and Council.
As the debate heated up, Jessy Gregg called George Brookover and Lisa Babcock “a bummer,” suggesting they don’t believe in East Lansing’s economic recovery. Andrew Graham reports for ELi.
What’s been the result of marijuana retail sale regulation in the City of East Lansing? ELi’s Andrew Graham reviews the scene and tells you what’s coming.
We asked our reporters which stories that they wrote meant the most to them in 2021. They answered, passing along a varied collection of stories for this year in review.
The DDA recently approved spending up to $40,000 of public money to install security cameras downtown. But even before installation, these cameras offer a look into the current state of East Lansing politics and policy on a number of issues. Alice Dreger reports.
Yet again, the publicly-owned Evergreen Properties and their possible redevelopment formed the main topic of discussion at the latest meeting of East Lansing’s Downtown Development Authority. What happened? Only ELi brings this news.
Are those Verizon towers in Bailey functioning? What happened to a little statue at the softball complex? And, of course, we bring you a couple of development updates in this Ask ELi Grab Bag!
East Lansing’s staff has decided to require special approval for new or newly-occupied frat and sorority houses, but “will not be applying the requirement retroactively.”
With a number of stories worth catching up on, Andrew and Chuck are joined by Al Hargrave to discuss some of the recent news. Give it a listen!
City Council approved a new letter agreement with the would-be developers of 2040 Merritt Rd., the former DPW headquarters property that the City quietly sold via eBay in 2019. What will be built there now?
The federal Grand Jury returned a 21-page indictment in June 2020, including eight criminal counts, with some involving East Lansing businesses and real estate here and elsewhere. ELi explains.
The DDA voted in favor of funding more cameras to be used by ELPD, but not before a lively discussion about privacy and how to welcome people downtown.
East Lansing’s ordinance compelling some real estate developers to contribute art has not been without controversy. Seven years in, what effects has it had?
What’s happening with that public land sold on eBay? Where might we see commercial redevelopment replace houses on Lake Lansing Road? And what’s happening downtown and north on Abbot Road?
Ingham County Judge Joyce Draganchuk agreed with ELi’s attorney Brian Wassom that real estate developer Scott Chappelle had no case for defamation against ELi or its publisher Alice Dreger.
The City received the first payment of funds in May but has time before funds must be allocated and used. City Manager George Lahanas provided some ideas on how to use the money during a presentation to Council last week. What did he recommend? What did Council think of the draft plan?
Community & Economic Development Administrator Adam Cummins spoke to Council about the City’s Daytime. Nighttime. Anytime. Place Project. What did he say worked? What could be improved?
The Transportation Commissions of East Lansing and Meridian Township met together to discuss the proposed reconstruction of the intersection of Lake Lansing Road and Towar Avenue. What might the new intersection look like? How much will it cost? What concerns were voiced?
The Downtown Development Authority purchased the properties in 2009, hoping to sell them for downtown development projects, but over a decade later, the DDA still owns the properties. Alice Dreger shares the long history with Emily Joan Elliott.
ELi catches you up on what’s happening (and not happening) in downtown East Lansing’s real estate redevelopment scene. Check it out!
Alice Dreger, Emily Joan Elliott, and Andrew Graham cover some of the most recent Ask ELi’s that they have investigated. Give a listen to learn more about flooding, drains, construction, schools, and more!
The cost of library renovations could reach $1.5 million by the time the work is complete. The Library Board of Trustees is looking to Council for financial support.
“This is going to proceed and come to a conclusion,” the presiding judge told the court yesterday. ELi’s Andrew Graham reports on the latest in the Department of Justice’s case against a local real estate developer.
Planning staff for the City of East Lansing is looking for input on a “Near Term Housing Action Plan” as well as a longer-term vision. How can you listen and weigh in?
A lawsuit settlement, hair discrimination, food trucks in neighborhoods, controversially-confidential legal opinions, and more at this week’s East Lansing City Council. Catch up with ELi!
A new apartment building and other big changes coming soon to the Valley Court Park area? Learn the latest from ELi’s Alice Dreger.
“We’re wondering what’s going on, and why this is happening,” said one thirty-year resident of Northlawn Avenue today after the street was hit with extraordinary flooding again.
ELi’s Executive Director and Publisher brings you an update on the alleged-defamation lawsuit launched against ELi and her by real estate developer Scott Chappelle.
Alice Dreger and Andrew Graham bring the results from ELi’s survey of voters for City Council elections. What has voters in the City concerned? Give a listen!
The nonprofit consultant hired to articulate the potential for constructing affordable live-work space for artists in East Lansing is coming to town next week, and now is your chance to have your ideas heard.
ELi brings you the news of what happened Tuesday, from talk of food truck regulation, to a $50K sale of public land to a neighbor, to a decision to forgive one hotel developer and approve another’s site plan for an extended-stay project.
ELi’s Andrew Graham investigates what happened on Aug. 12 along Northlawn Avenue, and brings information about what you can do to help protect your home and belongings.
On this episode, Alice Dreger and Andrew Graham discuss the aftermath of the heavy rains on Aug. 11-12, and resulting floods. How are the residents who were hardest hit doing? What else did the duo discuss?
Have you noticed the large mural on the Division Street Garage while walking or driving down Albert Ave.? ELi’s Sarah Spohn provides the backstory and inspirations for this artwork.
