Council hopes the incentive system brings environmentally friendly buildings and affordable units.
District leaders gave an update on the projects being paid for by a $23.5 million bond that voters approved in May.
The city is searching for solutions after it was hit by two “historic” storms over the summer.
The city is looking to identify all factors contributing to widespread flooding in recent years.
A June storm brought 3-4 inches of rain and a July storm brought upwards of 7 inches. Both storms brought widespread flooding in East Lansing.
Two storms have caused widespread flooding in East Lansing in less than a month.
Residents who already made the switch to solar energy will be sharing information about their experience.
The Transportation Commission unanimously approved recommending the plan be implemented for the stretch of road from Burcham Drive to Grand River Avenue.
Completing the trail along the Red Cedar River was tricky, but worth it, Meridian Township official said.
The proposal calls for altering Hagadorn Road between Grand River and Burcham Drive from four lanes to three.
Grant program is for the needs of low-to-moderate income people and neighborhoods.
DPW interim director confirms city workers had responded to incidents associated with the digging in Glencairn
In other business, employee retention bonuses were unanimously approved, sidewalk repair assessments were stretched out and naming of a city art studio after a woman got support.
Ron Lacasse would like to know how someone managed to get an entire Big Wheel down into the sewer system.
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?
ELi’s brings you the story behind this important win for the city.
Company hopes to make travel between cities easier for college students.
A Crown Castle representative interacted directly with members of the CELL citizen group.
McPherson’s resignation adds to a pile of resignations by top East Lansing city administrators.
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.
Public expresses mixed views about the road conversion, but transportation commission unanimously approved the project.
City officials say they cannot block installation of the towers because of a state law.
East Lansing and Meridian water authority customers are asked to refrain from high uses of water while main transmission line is repaired.
Valley Court farmers market pavilion and downtown lighting may be partially funded with HUD CDBG monies.
The mayor hopes to “really aggravate Indianapolis,” and Council is seeking a legal opinion on conflicts of interest. What else happened this Tuesday night?
As climate change makes severe weather events more common, East Lansing’s sewer system has been stretched to capacity.
The farmers market will likely get a new pavilion. What about other big changes potentially coming to that part of town?
In this edition of Ask ELi, we bring you answers on tax assessments, the sewer system, ELPD social workers, and unpaid parking tickets.
The City’s specific legal strategy is under wraps due to attorney-client privilege, but ELi’s Andrew Graham explains the franchise fee, the lawsuit, and the recent ruling.
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!
In the latest Ask ELi to Investigate, Emily Joan Elliott explores how the marshy environment of East Lansing can affect local homes.
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.
![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.
During a presentation, the City Manager proposed using ARPA funds for three new projects. Council may vote next week to allocate more than $4 million of its ARPA funds. What will the money be spent on?
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?
A local business that many East Lansing residents see cruising across town recently celebrated its fifteenth anniversary in November 2021. Clay Oppenhuizen reports on the regional growth of the Michigan Flyer.
Following the winter storm on Feb. 2, 2022, ELi created a survey to gauge how well streets had been cleared after several reader questions. What did we find out?
Robert L. Green and Glencairn Elementary schools are without power and heat, and parents have been asked to call and release their children from school early. Andrew Graham reports on the outage.
After the record snowfall last week, some East Lansing residents are still waiting for their streets to be plowed. Take ELi’s survey on the progress of the snow removal and learn more!
ELPS will remain closed on Thursday. ELPL will not open until 12 p.m. tomorrow.
The athletic field and tennis courts at ELHS will undergo significant renovations this summer, and remaining bond money will be used to create outdoor learning spaces at the elementary schools. Al Hargrave provides a School Board round up.
Some East Lansing residents are interested in keeping livestock, but the City may continue to limit livestock to feathered-friends only.
At Tuesday’s Council meeting, a representative from McAlvey, Merchant & Associates updated Council on the firm’s successes advocating on behalf of the City at the State Capitol, but at least two Council members called for clearer communication between the lobbyists and Council.
Mopeds can’t park at bike racks anymore, as a new East Lansing law restricts their parking. And what about those e-scooters left blocking sidewalks?
East Lansing’s City Council approved the use of $500,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funds to reimburse property owners for the cost of installing check valves. More information on how to obtain the reimbursement has now been issued by the City.
ELi’s mission is to bring East Lansing the news. Here’s a look at what we think we’ll be helping you to know about and understand in context in 2022.
We asked our reporters which stories that they wrote meant the most to them in 2021. They answered, passing along a varied collection of stories for this year in review.
What can residents do to prevent their mail from being stolen? And what can residents affected by the Comcast outage do to get a refund for loss of service? We bring the answers in this Ask ELi Grab Bag.
UPDATE: At last night’s meeting, Council supported a motion by Council member George Brookover asking the City Manager to look into using ARPA funds for extra pay for “all unelected part time and full time City employees.”
Yet again, the publicly-owned Evergreen Properties and their possible redevelopment formed the main topic of discussion at the latest meeting of East Lansing’s Downtown Development Authority. What happened? Only ELi brings this news.
Are those Verizon towers in Bailey functioning? What happened to a little statue at the softball complex? And, of course, we bring you a couple of development updates in this Ask ELi Grab Bag!
Andrew and Chuck recap last Saturday’s accident involving a Canadian National train running through some downed power lines and resulting in power outages. Andrew interviews a witness to the event and a Comcast representative.
When thousands of East Lansing residents were going on three days without Comcast service, ELi’s Alice Dreger pushed for answers. Why does ELi believe this is in keeping with our public service mission?
ELi reached Comcast and was able to confirm the train accident was the source of the widespread outage in East Lansing and Meridian Township. A spokesperson says they expect service to be restored today.
A train caught in wires took down a series of electrical poles along Hagadorn Road, leading to “a mess” according to the Ingham County Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management. The sign at Hannah Plaza was destroyed as a result. See contributed photos and learn more in this update.
The Transportation Commission provided more details on the upcoming construction to Burcham Drive. When will it start? What will it entail?
East Lansing’s Public Works Department is going into high gear on the Chesterfield Hills sewer odor problem, and a long-time contractor for the City will review the August 12 Northlawn Avenue flooding disaster. Andrew Graham reports from Council’s meeting.
City Manager George Lahanas provided Council with a line-item American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Draft Plan on Nov. 16. The plan prioritizes parking systems, the fire station, and the Hannah Community Center as some of the first to receive funds, but residents can complete a survey by Dec. 10 to provide feedback on how the City should spend its ARPA funds.
After multiple presentations to the public from the City about water infrastructure, Chuck Grigsby and Andrew Graham talk about the ongoing sanitary and storm sewer debate in the City of East Lansing. Give a listen!
On Monday, ELi reported on the stench that residents say they’ve suffered for decades. On Tuesday night, the City Manager announced that now the City is taking immediate action.
The DDA voted in favor of funding more cameras to be used by ELPD, but not before a lively discussion about privacy and how to welcome people downtown.
“For the amount of money we pay in taxes each year, in comparison to similar houses in other cities, this situation is unacceptable,” wrote one couple to the City of East Lansing, echoing the feelings of their Chesterfield Hills neighbors.
Will fabric recycling return to East Lansing? Why is it so dark at Valley Court Park? How can you mitigate the risk of car break-ins? Find out the answers in this Ask ELi Grab Bag!
The new City Council tackled a very hot problem at Tuesday night’s meeting: what to do about the City’s sewer problems. ELi’s Andrew Graham reports.
East Lansing’s City Council is set tonight to discuss the possible use of federal Covid relief dollars to help homeowners prevent basement flooding, but an ELi survey shows that community members have various ideas for how to use these funds.
Residents are still expressing concern over the aftermath of severe flooding in August and are skeptical that massive flooding will not happen again, based on conversations at a flooding town hall. The City will hold a webinar on Nov. 18 to address some concerns.
The City of East Lansing has already received half of its $12.2 million in Covid relief funds through the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, but how will it spend that money? Fill out our survey to provide your input.
The City of East Lansing is planning to apply for a pair of 2022 Natural Resources Trust Fund grants aimed at funding projects to extend and improve existing portions of the Northern Tier Trail. What exactly will the projects entail?
In the weeks and months following torrential rains that flooded portions of East Lansing and numerous basements, ELi has had several readers inquire about the ongoing Montgomery Drain Project and its potential future impact in mitigating local flooding. What do we know?
When will the access point to the Northern Tier Trail at Colorado Drive be complete? How does East Lansing handle dog attacks? How can you attend Council member Babock’s flooding town hall tonight?
The City received the first payment of funds in May but has time before funds must be allocated and used. City Manager George Lahanas provided some ideas on how to use the money during a presentation to Council last week. What did he recommend? What did Council think of the draft plan?
The City Manager recommended some Covid relief money be used to help some owners pay for backflow prevention measures. City Council also heard a presentation about the heavy rains on Aug. 12 and subsequent flooding. What did they find out?
On this episode, Managing Editor Emily Joan Elliott speaks to City Desk Reporter Andrew Graham about his recent reporting on flooding, including his investigative reporting and what comes next.
Are the kindergarten classrooms at Marble smaller or the class sizes bigger? What’s going on with bus routes, bond money, and Burcham Drive? We answer your questions about East Lansing Public Schools in this Ask ELi Grab Bag.
Council member Ron Bacon said he wants an analysis from “someone who isn’t so closely tied to the project.” ELi’s Andrew Graham reports on the tense exchange at last night’s City Council meeting.
The Transportation Commissions of East Lansing and Meridian Township met together to discuss the proposed reconstruction of the intersection of Lake Lansing Road and Towar Avenue. What might the new intersection look like? How much will it cost? What concerns were voiced?
On the eastern edge of East Lansing, five homeowners have spent weeks trying to figure out why the Aug. 12 rains flooded their basements with sewage. Weeks later, like most residents, they still haven’t gotten satisfying answers. Andrew Graham reports.
The Downtown Development Authority purchased the properties in 2009, hoping to sell them for downtown development projects, but over a decade later, the DDA still owns the properties. Alice Dreger shares the long history with Emily Joan Elliott.
ELi catches you up on what’s happening (and not happening) in downtown East Lansing’s real estate redevelopment scene. Check it out!
The relatively high Covid numbers at Glencairn Elementary dominated discussions, but the School Board trustees also discussed how to use remaining bond money, a financial audit, and more. We bring you a round up.
Alice Dreger, Emily Joan Elliott, and Andrew Graham cover some of the most recent Ask ELi’s that they have investigated. Give a listen to learn more about flooding, drains, construction, schools, and more!
The cost of library renovations could reach $1.5 million by the time the work is complete. The Library Board of Trustees is looking to Council for financial support.
A lawsuit settlement, hair discrimination, food trucks in neighborhoods, controversially-confidential legal opinions, and more at this week’s East Lansing City Council. Catch up with ELi!
A new apartment building and other big changes coming soon to the Valley Court Park area? Learn the latest from ELi’s Alice Dreger.
“We’re wondering what’s going on, and why this is happening,” said one thirty-year resident of Northlawn Avenue today after the street was hit with extraordinary flooding again.
Alice Dreger and Andrew Graham bring the results from ELi’s survey of voters for City Council elections. What has voters in the City concerned? Give a listen!
