The properties have been initially listed at $4.435 million.
If the system is eventually approved by council, developers could spend points to bypass council approval that is usually needed for special use permits to add height to buildings or reduce the minimum lot size requirement.
DDA members favored an applicant to market its Evergreen properties, but want to negotiate the price tag.
The decision to allot $250,000 to hire a director in 2025 followed two strategic planning sessions. Details for the position still need to be ironed out.
The vice president of ACD has been working with downtown business owners and neighborhood groups to revamp the project.
DDA members and city officials listened to development presentations by urban planning students for the downtown site.
Grant program is for the needs of low-to-moderate income people and neighborhoods.
Officer Katey Harrison identified parking garages as hotspots for nighttime activity as well as the Fieldhouse and Harper’s.
The proposed BWL training facility was tabled for further community engagement. The upgrade to the gas station at the corner of Abbot and Saginaw Highway was approved 5-1 by Planning Commission.
The communitywide debate has been ongoing since May. With the Tuesday decision, the surface parking lot will stay a parking lot.
22 people spoke to Council about the affordable housing project during the Oct. 3 meeting, with majority speaking against the proposal. Council expects to make a decision at the Oct. 17 meeting.
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!
