East Lansing Set to Scrap Blocked Off El Fresco Space; Considering Spending Tens of Millions on Facility Improvements

East Lansing will likely scrap the blocked off Albert El Fresco area that has existed downtown the last six summers, after most members of City Council said they oppose setting up the downtown space again this summer.

On the consent agenda of Tuesday’s meeting, which is typically approved without discussion, the city is set to approve plans to not block off a downtown stretch of Albert Avenue that has hosted games and seating each summer since 2020. Council will still be able to approve street closures for events on a case-by-base basis.

At the March 10 discussion-only meeting, council discussed three options for Albert El Fresco – one that would expand seating, another that would keep it similar to last year and a third option that would not close the street. The city is set to move forward with a plan to scrap the road closure and most of the seasonal seating.

The decision was made after consulting with the East Lansing Police Department, residents in the Newman Lofts senior apartment building downtown and city committees and commissions. Mayor Erik Altmann said the Downtown Development Authority favored getting rid of seating because of “camping related” issues in the space.

“It just seemed like a reset was an appropriate approach at this point,” Altmann said.

Councilmember Steve Whelan said Albert El Fresco has outlived its usefulness.

“I think it was fabulous in the beginning,” he said. “It served a great purpose during COVID and along the way. I also absolutely love all the events that the city does a fabulous job of running.

Councilmember Kerry Ebersole Singh said she is disappointed the city is willing to give up on the downtown feature.

“If we want to continue to be a destination,” she said, “we have to lean into developing our space — arts, music, events — and create a space downtown in the summer that people can enjoy.

“With no furniture, my kid will be bummed out — no games unless it’s during events. That’s something we do every summer. I recognize I’m just one family, but I do think people enjoy those amenities.”

Under the plan, weekly events like Thursday game nights and Fresco Fitness will be held in the Ann Street Plaza.

Surveys distributed about El Fresco last year showed generally positive feedback from visitors, but mixed reviews from business owners.

City considers spending tens of millions of dollars on facility improvements.

East Lansing is considering spending tens of millions of dollars over 20 or 25 years to make repairs to facilities, including City Hall, Valley Court Community Center, Hannah Community Center, the fire station, recreational facilities and parking garages.

Council did not make a decision on a bond to pay for the improvements at the March 10 discussion-only meeting. Members of council wondered if the plan is feasible as East Lansing battles financial turbulence, with the mayor suggesting the city may need to take drastic action like selling the Hannah Community Center and recreational facilities.

City Manager Robert Belleman said the city’s general fund can not cover needed improvements as a one-time payment, so repairs would be spread out over the life of a 20 or 25-year bond. Paying for the improvements through a bond would spread the cost out over decades, but add millions of dollars in interest payments.

“We’re asking council to look at whether we need to prioritize any of these before we move forward with bonding,” he said. “Historically, the city has cash-funded many of these projects, but we are no longer in a position to sustain that approach.”

Belleman provided council with a list of priority projects and associated costs, including $3.5 million for City Hall, $1.8 million for the Hannah Community Center, $1.2 million for the fire station, $1.45 million for recreation facility parking lots, $310,000 for the Valley Court Community Center and $6.6 million for four parking garages.

These improvements would cost just over $14.9 million, with the option of spending an additional $5 million to revamp the third floor of the Hannah Community Center.

The cost would be shared by the city’s general fund, parks and recreation fund and parking fund. The bond would only need to be approved by voters if residents gather enough signatures on a referendum petition within 45 days of being noticed of the bond.

“At a high level, we’re looking at equipment and systems that have exceeded their expected useful life, while also prioritizing projects that improve energy efficiency and reduce utility consumption,” Director of Parks, Recreation and Arts Justin Drwencke said.

Whelan raised what he called a philosophical question.

“When I go to a car dealership,” he said, “I don’t ask if I can afford the payment, I ask if I can afford the car. Twenty million dollars is a lot of money, especially from a community that recently voted down the parks and recreation millage. Even though these improvements may be necessary, I’m not sure we can afford them.”

Altmann said he wonders if the city needs to take drastic action to reduce costs.

“I think we need to keep in the back of our minds that we may need to sell some of our assets, including the Aquatic Center and the Soccer Complex and potentially even this building [the Hannah Community Center],” he said.

Altmann went on to say he is not anxious to take on projects like rebuilding the parking lot at the Aquatic Center because he’s not sure the city should continue to maintain that amenity.