East Lansing City Council to Consider Two Large Downtown Apartments

The East Lansing City Council will consider approving two large downtown apartments that could collectively house nearly 1,200 residents at a meeting next week.

The proposed projects, presented by different developers, consist of a 10-story mixed use apartment building at 530 Albert Avenue where there is currently a surface parking lot and a 12-story mixed use apartment complex where the Student Book Store and other commercial businesses reside.

The 10-story apartment proposal, from Tareen Development Partners, is to build 205 units to house 436 tenants. The proposed building includes amenities like a coffee shop, pet spa, wellness center, basketball court, grilling stations and a club/game room. Units are expected to cost between $1,900 for a studio apartment and $4,400 for a three bedroom.

A street level rendering of a 10-story apartment building proposed for downtown East Lansing where the Bailey Street surface parking lot currently sits. (From agenda packet)

The 12-story apartment proposal, from Harbor Bay Ventures, would house 748 residents across 296 units. The building is proposed to include space for two restaurants, a terrace area, residential lounge, library and leasing office. It is expected that residents will pay between $1,200 and $2,200 per bed.

A street level rendering of The Howard, a 12-story apartment building proposed for downtown East Lansing. (From agenda)

Each project has been recommended by both the city’s Downtown Development Authority and Planning Commission.

The 10-story apartment complex that would be built where the Bailey surface parking lot currently sits would take up the majority of the 86 parking spots, which has drawn ire from some local businesses like the Wild Goose Inn that are concerned what such a big development in the heart of downtown will mean for parking and traffic.

The main concern expressed by the public about both projects since they were first presented last year has been parking, as residents in nearby neighborhoods have worried that tenants and visitors will park in their neighborhoods, as the projects do not include on-site parking.

Developers for the 12-story project have proposed leasing 157 spaces from city lots for 748 tenants. Developers for the 10-story building have proposed leasing 111 spots for 436 tenants. The city’s Parking Department has indicated it can dedicate 110 spaces to each development if both are approved. Developers have said they expect to mostly house Michigan State University students who do not have cars and walk to and from MSU’s campus.

Under the city code, developers are not allowed to build new parking without a waiver in the zoning district the projects are proposed.

Still, recently developers learned they would need to have a parking plan approved by the Planning Commission. Mayor Erik Altmann stated at the June 25 DDA meeting that the city “fumbled the ball” on communicating the parking requirement to developers, which proposed the apartments last year. The Planning Commission is slated to hold public hearings on each developer’s parking plan on July 22, the day after the City Council meeting.