River Caddis Development has put together a draft agreement that would shift yet more of The CITADEL project costs onto the public ledger. For now, East Lansing’s DDA has agreed to more talks.
Center City District
Last Week’s Center City Bond Vote Was Based on the Wrong Numbers; They’re Off by $6 Million
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Is East Lansing’s Brownfield Redevelopment Authority (BRA) about to accidentally issue over $2 million in essentially worthless bonds?
Development
BRA Approves Bond Up to $33.5M, Interest Rate Up to 8%, with $1M More for the Developers
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The developer came well armed with representatives, but the City went in with no financial advisor to this deal. Its usual advisor is actually being paid with public money to represent the developers.
Development
Over Neighbors’ Objections, Planning Commission Unanimously Supports Strip Mall Sunday Hours
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Coolidge Court is the only strip mall in the City that is prohibited from having businesses open on Sundays, a restriction the developer agreed to in 1986. Now Council will take up the matter.
Center City District
East Lansing May Borrow $33 Million to Pay a $25 Million Debt. Who’s Getting that $8 Million?
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The Bell family of developers is back. What new Center City District public financing deal will be made with them this time? ELi’s Alice Dreger reports what we know.
Development
Recreational Marijuana Sales May Come Soon to East Lansing. But What About Social Equity?
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ELi’s Alice Dreger explains how Big Marijuana came to dominate East Lansing’s business scene and why some think it’s high time to pursue “Social Equity.”
Development
MSUFCU Submits Plans for Downtown Office Tower – Including One Huge Brick Wall
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ELi’s Alice Dreger and Chris Root tell you what stands out in the submitted plans and what comes next in the review process.
Development
Businesses Opening and Closing Along East Lansing’s Main Corridor
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What’s closed, what’s opening, what’s happening along East Lansing’s main strip? The latest from ELi.
Development
Planning Commission Hoping for Compromise on Sunday Hours at Coolidge Court
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Ever wondered why the shops in Coolidge Court aren’t open on Sundays? That restriction dates back to 1986, and now the developer-owner wants it removed. Many neighbors aren’t happy.
Development
With the Public Ramps Bleeding Money, City Eliminates Free 2-Hour Parking Downtown
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Free parking ends June 30. Georgio’s has asked the City for rent forgiveness, but the parking system can’t afford it. The finances look bad.
Development
Gas Leak Halts Construction at The Abbot, Closes Streets
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Consumers Energy is on the scene working to fix the problem. Roads and the picnic area are expected to be closed the rest of the day.
Development
East Lansing Development Updates (Spoiler Alert: The Abbot Opens Late August)
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News on The Abbot, The Graduate, affordable housing, Coleman Road, the new elementary schools, MSUFCU’s downtown project, and marijuana sales locations. We also tell you where in East Lansing the state’s wetland protection agency plans a new office building that would disturb a wetland.
Development
East Lansing’s Downtown Development Authority Votes for Independent Counsel
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The DDA voted unanimously to seek expert independent legal counsel. The most immediate need is representation in any deal made over the Evergreen properties. Andrew Graham reports for ELi.
Development
In Change of Plans, The CITADEL Project Makes the Parking the City’s Problem
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Is big new office space viable? What tax incentives will the developers want? And what does the new “stakeholders” team think of it all?
Development
East Lansing’s Planning Commission Reconvened after Three Months – So What Happened?
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The commission discussed redevelopment along Coolidge and West Roads, whether DTN should be allowed to use part of the first floor of “300 Grand” for a private fitness room, and more.
Arts & Cultures
DDA Debates How to Balance Safety with Downtown Business Revival
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The DDA supported the idea of live entertainment downtown geared towards families with kids. They also discussed the issue of noise coming from some bars.
Development
East Lansing Real Estate Developer Scott Chappelle Indicted for Tax and Bank Fraud
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For years, citizen watchdogs warned the City of East Lansing not to continue partnering with Chappelle. If convicted on the bank fraud charge, he faces up to 30 years in prison.
Development
Outdoor Dining in East Lansing Next Week? At Least in Some Places.
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The filing of Chapter 11 bankruptcy by HopCat’s parent company speaks to the level of distress in the bar and restaurant industry. The City of East Lansing is trying to help out.
Development
Here’s An Update on the MSUFCU Downtown Office Tower Plan
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ELi brings you the latest news on this project, including about the design, timing, and environmental contamination at the site.
COVID-19
Barrio Tacos May Open Soon, But Jolly Pumpkin Not Until Fall
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A rep for Barrio’s says that restaurant will reopen if Albert Ave. is closed off for outside take-out dining. But Jolly Pumpkin won’t open before Labor Day.
COVID-19
East Lansing’s Housing Study Never Did Start, and Now the Plan Is On Hold
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Housing Administrator Annette Irwin told a city commission last night that all bets are off in terms of when we might see that long-awaited housing study.
Arts & Cultures
Greatly Expanded Outdoor Dining and Free Parking Aimed at Luring People to Downtown East Lansing
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As long as the state presents no barriers and the weather cooperates, the culture of drinking and dining in East Lansing will change for at least a few months.
COVID-19
DDA Releases 57 Relief Grants to Businesses, Not Without Criticism and Debate
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Only 57 applicants were deemed eligible for the 100 grants. Now, those who have been late on tax payments will be able to try again.
Development
Now a “Stakeholders Committee” Will Work with Developers on Evergreen Properties
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Who will work with the developers to try to hammer out a deal this time? And why did the vote split 5-4?
Development
What’s Happening with That Thing in East Lansing?
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What’s happening with Newman Lofts, police oversight, big downtown construction, and more? ELi brings you up to speed.
Government
East Lansing Business Relief Program to Provide Aid by Third Week in May
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How did the Downtown Development Authority ultimately decide to judge applications for one hundred grants of $2,500 each?
Ask ELi to Investigate
Why Pay LEAP $10K to Administer East Lansing’s Small Business Grants?
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The DDA will meet Thursday to decide on criteria for $250K in grants to local businesses. We explain what’s been decided so far.
Development
DDA Signs Exclusive Agreement with River Caddis on Evergreen Properties
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The mayor doesn’t want to be led with an offer of an office building and told later the developers want to construct towering student housing.
COVID-19
MSUFCU Going Ahead with Downtown Project, But City Pauses Housing Study
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The credit union is going ahead. But the City’s Planning Director says they’ve put the housing study on hold. Why?
Development
City Staff Recommends Another Exclusive Development Agreement on the Evergreen Properties
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With the only active proposal for the DDA’s properties, River Caddis Development wants an exclusive agreement. But do they have a viable concept?
Development
City Council Firmly Opposed to Developers’ Ask on Newman Lofts
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East Lansing’s Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem are willing to consider converting the senior housing to some other uses.
Development
Center City Developers Want to Convert Senior Housing to Allow Student Rentals
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Many predicted this would happen, but few expected it so soon. What now?
Development
Harrison Road Project Reducing Four Car Lanes to Three, Adding Bike Lanes
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The City can undertake the work in spite of the lockdown because it has designated it “essential.” What’s involved?
COVID-19
Will the New Whitehills and Pinecrest Schools Be Ready By Fall?
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With work halted under the governor’s orders, it’s unclear what East Lansing’s elementary schools’ populations will be facing next year.
COVID-19
Federal Government Provides City of East Lansing $289K in Emergency Funds
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Emergency federal legislation means the City of East Lansing will soon receive almost $300K in funding. What can it be used for?
COVID-19
Developer of Halted East Lansing Project Is Concerned
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Tenants for The Abbot signed leases expecting a summer move-in. The developer thinks work should be allowed to continue.
COVID-19
Eviction and Foreclosure Relief Available; Experts Recommend Communicating Needs
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Various groups in this region, including the Capital Area Housing Partnership, are working to help people avoid eviction, foreclosure, and homelessness.
COVID-19
Pandemic Stalls Construction – But The Abbot Lands a Retail Tenant
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The crane is no longer moving at The Abbot. But there’s some good news from the project. ELi’s Alice Dreger reports.
Development
The Slow Movement Toward Marijuana Sales in East Lansing
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What will the Skymint operation on Coolidge Road be like, and what is more generally the status of retail marijuana sales in East Lansing? ELi’s Chris Gray reports.
COVID-19
Downtown, Campbell’s Adjusts Daily During Extraordinary Time for Grocers
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In downtown East Lansing, Campbell’s Market Basket is keeping its shelves stocked with groceries. ELi’s Noa Kuszai files this report.
Development
Burcham Solar Park Blooming Soon
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The second phase of the renewable energy project involves planting native perennial grasses and flowers. This should reduce maintenance and benefit pollinators. ELi’s Patty Bonito provides an update.
COVID-19
Owner of SBS Wants the City of East Lansing to Give Financial Aid to Small Businesses
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Greg Ballein, owner of East Lansing’s Student Book Store (SBS), has closed the store for COVID-19. He tells Eli’s Noa Kuszai why he thinks the City should be giving small businesses financial assistance.
Development
And Then There Was One: Convexity Withdraws Its Proposal for the Evergreen Properties
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With one developer pulling out, leaving only one left, this isn’t what East Lansing’s DDA had in mind when it sent out a call to developers about the Evergreen properties.
Development
East Lansing Bar and Restaurant Owners Now Making Tough Choices
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Even before Ingham County Health issued a new order, some East Lansing bars and restaurants were moving to help “flatten the curve.” All face grave economic uncertainty.