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Center City District

Center City District

Newman Lofts Settlement Upended and Delayed by Concerns at DDA

By Andrew Graham | February 25, 2021

A deal that looked closed has been opened back up after DDA Vice Chair Jim Croom, an attorney, questioned the wording Council approved in a 4-1 vote on Tuesday.

Center City District

Despite ‘Lack of Trust’ in Developers, Council Votes 4-1 to Settle the Newman Lofts Dispute

By Andrew Graham | February 24, 2021

“I am personally dismayed and appalled at the behavior of this developer,” senior advocate Nell Kuhnmuench told the Council. She was not alone in expressing those sentiments.

Center City District

Center City Contract May Be Amended to Allow Illegal Rentals at Newman Lofts. What Then?

By Alice Dreger | February 20, 2021

The idea of changing the Center City District agreements in the way proposed has some roiled. But not everyone thinks it’s a bad idea. ELi’s Alice Dreger reports.

Development

Council Waffles Over What to Do About Newman Lofts

By Andrew Graham | February 10, 2021

The five members of East Lansing’s City Council don’t all agree on what should be done five months after the illegal rentals at Newman Lofts came to light.

Center City District

Timeline of East Lansing’s Center City District Project

By ELi Staff | January 8, 2021

Here’s a comprehensive timeline of East Lansing’s Center City District redevelopment, beginning with the press conference where it was announced.

Arts & Cultures

The Top Ten East Lansing Stories of 2020

By Emily Joan Elliott and Alice Dreger | December 29, 2020

What were the biggest stories in East Lansing for 2020? ELi’s Publisher and Managing Editor bring you the top 10 list.

Your ELi

The Ten Stories That Meant the Most to Your ELi Reporters in 2020

By ELi Staff | December 26, 2020

From ELHS closing due to Covid-19, to volunteers sewing masks to donate, to the Harbor Bay dealings, our reporters highlight stories they enjoyed bringing you in 2020. At this page, you can click on “play” buttons to hear individual recordings of the articles read by their own reporters!

Center City District

Episode 8 and A Special Edition of The ‘East Lansing Insider’ Are Now Live

By Andrew Graham | December 10, 2020

The team at ELi brings you the regular weekly pod and a special edition from Alice Dreger and Emily Joan Elliott on the refinancing of the Center City District bonds. Listen on.

Center City District

Who Really Benefited from the Center City Bonds’ Refinancing?

By Alice Dreger | December 10, 2020

Spoiler alert: the developers benefited. And now, with yet another of the deal’s financial protections for the City seeming to fall away, former mayor Mark Meadows is saying that “injunctive relief should be sought.”

Center City District

East Lansing BRA Advised to Refinance Bonds to Avoid “Considerable Headline and Reputational Risk”

By Alice Dreger and Andrew Graham | November 30, 2020

Who is the investor for the refinancing bonds? Mark Bell’s father. Again. And any chance of saving that $6 million in taxes appears to be evaporating.

Center City District

We Still Don’t Know What’s Happening With The Center City Bonds

By Alice Dreger | November 24, 2020

One week away from a $2.4 million shortfall for the payment due to the bondholder, many questions remain unanswered. Not least, the $6 million question. ELi’s Alice Dreger reports.

Center City District

City Council Votes 4-1 to Delay Enforcement on Newman Lofts Violations

By Andrew Graham | November 12, 2020

The lone dissenter, Council member Lisa Babcock, objected to the developers’ “hostage-taking” tactics and “the pigeon driving the bus.” But she was outvoted as the rest of Council found it problematic to insist the under-55 tenants be evicted.

Center City District

Babcock Questions Center City District Bond Refinancing, Gets Some Interesting Answers

By Alice Dreger | November 12, 2020

Tuesday night’s Council meeting confirmed a lot of what ELi has been reporting about the Center City District bonds. What did we learn?

Center City District

CORRECTION: $6M Bond Dispute Will NOT Get a Fresh Pair of Legal Eyes

By Alice Dreger | October 26, 2020

A new and scorching message from Mark Meadows and a response from Miller Canfield to his claims: the latest in the Center City District bond scene.

Center City District

New City Attorney Asked to Look at $6M Question of the Center City District Bonds

By Alice Dreger | October 23, 2020

A new review by ELi of prior meetings on the subject finds yet more evidence that this matter won’t be simple to sort out. See the key video clips now.

Center City District

Investors Interested in $29M East Lansing Bond Offer Must RSVP Fast

By Alice Dreger | October 16, 2020

Experts are describing the Center City District bonds as “hairy” and having “sharp edges.” What’s so weird about them? Alice Dreger unpacks it for you.

Development

Documents Show Harbor Bay’s Persistent Efforts to Change Deal

By Andrew Graham | October 12, 2020

A Freedom of Information Act request from ELi yielded a cache of informative documents regarding the Center City District and Newman Lofts. Andrew Graham unpacks them.

Center City District

East Lansing Bond Default? Not If Mark Bell Pays His Father $2.4M, As Required

By Alice Dreger | October 5, 2020

Why is East Lansing’s government poised to take on as much as $4.4M in debt when it doesn’t have to? The execution of the Center City District deal continues to baffle even experts.

Center City District

As Default (Allegedly) Looms, the Center City District Bond Now Involves a Myriad of Disputes

By Alice Dreger | September 30, 2020

Now debates over the Center City Bond are heating up, as staff say the BRA is in danger of default, and Mark Meadows says it’s the developers who owe the shortfall, not the public.

Center City District

Meadows: Harbor Bay Started Asking for Age-Restriction Elimination Over a Year Ago

By Andrew Graham | September 24, 2020

Steve Willobee came asking for accommodation long before Covid-19, says former mayor Mark Meadows. Now the City has issued violation notices to Harbor Bay, requiring the tenants of the four illegal rentals be moved out.

Center City District

Council Members Stunned to Learn Harbor Bay Is Illegally Renting to Non-Seniors at Newman Lofts

By Andrew Graham | September 16, 2020

Mark Bell and Steve Willobee confirmed to Council on Tuesday night that they have rented four units to people under the 55+ age restriction. This violates local law, the development agreement made with Council, and the building’s permit.

Development

Newman Lofts’ Tenants to City Council: Please Deny Harbor Bay’s Request

By Alice Dreger | September 10, 2020

“They need to abide by the terms of this agreement,” twenty-two tenants tell City Council about the Center City developers. Popular opinion appears aligned with the tenants.

Development

As Newman Lofts Controversy Continues, We Show You What Was Said in 2017

By Andrew Graham | September 2, 2020

In 2017, the developers were confident they had a viable project. Now they say they need Council’s help. Andrew Graham reports for ELi.

Development

ELi Board of Directors Responds to Harbor Bay’s “Ethics Complaint”

By Alice Dreger | September 1, 2020

“We will continue to operate under the conviction that extraordinary actors in our city require extraordinary scrutiny. Especially when they are seeking the taxpayers’ money.”

Development

Center City Developers Threaten Legal Action If They Don’t Get Their Way; Also Now Spooking Elderly Tenants

By Andrew Graham | August 28, 2020

“I’ve heard the complaints from Harbor Bay,” Council member Lisa Babcock tells ELi. “It looks like they’re having a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day.”

Center City District

BRA Votes to Rescind Center City Bond Resolution

By Alice Dreger | July 16, 2020

East Lansing’s Brownfield Redevelopment Authority learned a lot more this week about the $25M existing bond and voted to get a financial advisor before committing to a refinancing proposal.

Development

BRA Will Meet Tomorrow to Re-Do Bond, as Developer Pleads for Understanding

By Alice Dreger | July 14, 2020

A special meeting of the Brownfield Redevelopment Authority has been called to deal with major questions about what the City really owes the developer in taxes on the Center City District deal.

Center City District

Last Week’s Center City Bond Vote Was Based on the Wrong Numbers; They’re Off by $6 Million

By Alice Dreger | July 13, 2020

Is East Lansing’s Brownfield Redevelopment Authority (BRA) about to accidentally issue over $2 million in essentially worthless bonds?

Center City District

BRA Approves Bond Up to $33.5M, Interest Rate Up to 8%, with $1M More for the Developers

By Alice Dreger | July 10, 2020

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.

Center City District

East Lansing May Borrow $33 Million to Pay a $25 Million Debt. Who’s Getting that $8 Million?

By Alice Dreger | July 7, 2020

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.

COVID-19

Barrio Tacos May Open Soon, But Jolly Pumpkin Not Until Fall

By Alice Dreger | May 26, 2020

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.

Development

What’s Happening with That Thing in East Lansing?

By Alice Dreger | May 4, 2020

What’s happening with Newman Lofts, police oversight, big downtown construction, and more? ELi brings you up to speed.

Development

City Council Firmly Opposed to Developers’ Ask on Newman Lofts

By Alice Dreger | April 17, 2020

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

By Alice Dreger | April 16, 2020

Many predicted this would happen, but few expected it so soon. What now?

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< March 2021 >
Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
1Transportation Commission at 6:00 pm
2Downtown Management Board at 2:00 pm
Board of Review at 4:00 pm
One Book, One Community Featuring Professor Loretta J. Ross at 7:00 pm
Professor Ross will deliver a 30 minute presentation, followed by a question and answer session.
Zoom and Facebook Live
3Human Rights Commission at 7:00 pm
4Housing Commission at 6:30 pm
5 6Markers of Time | Mark Chatterley | Outdoor Reception from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm
Markers of Time | Mark Chatterley | Outdoor Exhibition: March 6 - March 27, 2021 Reception: Saturday, March 6, 11 AM - 3 PM
119 N Washington Square, Lansing, MI 48933 Gratitude Steel Band - Afro American Music at 11:00 am
Free, but pre-registration required. Covid-19 protocols will be in effect.
East Lansing Hannah Community Center (ELHCC), 819 Abbot Road (copy) Gratitude Steel Band - Afro American Music at 11:00 am
Free, but pre-registration required. Covid-19 protocols will be in effect.
East Lansing Hannah Community Center (ELHCC), 819 Abbot Road (copy) Weekend Warrior Program from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm
Heated outdoor dining in Downtown East Lansing
the north side of the Division Street Garage
7
8Board of Review Appeals from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
ELPS School Board at 7:00 pm
9(copy) Board of Review Appeals from 1:00 pm to 9:00 pm
City Council Meeting at 7:00 pm
10What ELi Values at 7:00 pm
Discuss with our Board of Directors what ELi should value as it delivers news to the community Building Board of Appeals at 7:00 pm
Planning Commission at 7:00 pm
11 12 13(copy) (copy) (copy) Weekend Warrior Program from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm
Heated outdoor dining in Downtown East Lansing
TBD
14East Lansing Downtown Underground Market from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm
lowest level of the M.A.C. Avenue Garage, 310 M.A.C. Ave. (copy) (copy) (copy) Weekend Warrior Program from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm
Heated outdoor dining in Downtown East Lansing
TBD
15(copy) (copy) (copy) Weekend Warrior Program from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm
Heated outdoor dining in Downtown East Lansing
TBD Commission on the Environment at 6:30 pm
16(copy) (copy) (copy) Weekend Warrior Program from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm
Heated outdoor dining in Downtown East Lansing
TBD
17(copy) (copy) (copy) Weekend Warrior Program from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm
Heated outdoor dining in Downtown East Lansing
TBD Library Board of Trustees Meeting at 4:30 pm
Parks and Rec Meeting at 7:00 pm
18(copy) (copy) (copy) Weekend Warrior Program from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm
Heated outdoor dining in Downtown East Lansing
TBD EL-Meridian Water/Sewer Meeting at 11:00 am
DDA Executive and Finance Committee at 11:30 am
DDA Project and Infrastructure Committee at 12:00 pm
Arts Commission at 5:30 pm
19The Coffeehouse at All Saints from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm
Online showcase of Michigan performers; music and spoken word. 15 min sets. See it live on Facebook Live (no need to have a Facebook account)
Online at https://www.facebook.com/TheCoffeehouseAtAllSaints (copy) (copy) (copy) Weekend Warrior Program from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm
Heated outdoor dining in Downtown East Lansing
TBD
20(copy) (copy) Weekend Warrior Program from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm
Heated outdoor dining in Downtown East Lansing
Ann Street Plaza (corner of Albert and M.A.C. avenues) (copy) (copy) (copy) Weekend Warrior Program from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm
Heated outdoor dining in Downtown East Lansing
TBD
21
22Study Committee - Independent Police Oversight Commission at 6:00 pm
ELPS School Board at 7:00 pm
23DMB Marketing Committee at 4:00 pm
24Planning Commission at 7:00 pm
25Downtown Development Authority at 12:00 pm
Brownfield Redevelopment Authority at 1:00 pm
26DMB Business Relations Committee at 1:00 pm
27(copy) (copy) (copy) Weekend Warrior Program from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm
Heated outdoor dining in Downtown East Lansing
elevated plaza on the east side of the East Lansing Marriott
28East Lansing Downtown Underground Market from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm
lowest level of the M.A.C. Avenue Garage, 310 M.A.C. Ave.
29 30 31        
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