So this is how I remember their proposal (off the top of my head, I could be wrong):
They wanted to build where the lots are, and put a parking ramp where the houses are. This needed the city to sell them the parking lot so they could build on it. An alternate plan could have the city building the parking ramps where the lots already are, and then no sale is needed. Although I don't think the city has the money to build their own parking ramps, especially after losing so much money in the current debacle of Michigan Museum Place/City Center 2/Park District.
That looks pretty good. I would prefer more brick than the stucco-looking siding for most of the building. But the density and street frontage is on par with what I would hope.
That building on the right-side of the picture isn't part of the proposal though, right? It's just an artist rendition of what that corner could turn into in the future?
Oh that's a good observation! Ok so this rendering has both buildings that are in the project. Well if it ever get it off the ground it would be really cool. Not gonna hold my breath but I'll keep dreaming for it.
At first glance I thought the rendering was looking north/northwest at Abbott and Grand RIver also, but looking closer I'm pretty sure it's looking west/southwest with Abbott across the foreground.
It looks like a nice building and a good quality project, but I have absolutely zero faith that we'll ever see it happen. One can always hope though...
I envision this development as being similar to University Place. I don't know how tall is University Place but a 10-story building seems very tall for East Lansing. Also, I don't if underground parking is a good idea. It is very expensive and there are safety considerations.
I'll be satisfied as long as whatever they build is compatible with EL and continues to promote a nice vibrant downtown. Still, as I've said, I would prefer adding a more architecturally-oriented structure to our downtown, even if its smaller and less profitable.
Both HopCat and the Marriott are 8 stories so I don't think 10 stories is that much different. Spartan Stadium is 160ft tall (equivalent to 13-16 stories tall). What safety concerns do you have with underground parking?
Maybe I am over reacting but I've always thought of underground parking as a bad idea in terms of criminality and those things. Also, aren't there enough parking spaces in downtown EL?
Yeah there are probably enough parking spaces, except there are a large amount of people that aren't willing to walk more than 1 block from their car to their destination :-/
The Marriott has two floors of underground parking, and two ramps on MSU's campus go 1-2 floors underground. I don't think they have been a high target of crime relative to the above ground parking floors. They also are pretty nice to use in the winter since cars are kept about 5-10 degrees warmer and don't get hit with the snow drift.
Wow, I'm upset that the project is scaled down, but I guess I shouldn't get too caught up in it because I don't have any confidence that the project will even go forward with the reduced size. It really is a wonder how this property can sit like this for so long, and to add on to it the amazing patience that Hotel Indigo has had!
Comments
They wanted to build where the lots are, and put a parking ramp where the houses are. This needed the city to sell them the parking lot so they could build on it. An alternate plan could have the city building the parking ramps where the lots already are, and then no sale is needed. Although I don't think the city has the money to build their own parking ramps, especially after losing so much money in the current debacle of Michigan Museum Place/City Center 2/Park District.
It looks like a nice building and a good quality project, but I have absolutely zero faith that we'll ever see it happen. One can always hope though...
I'll be satisfied as long as whatever they build is compatible with EL and continues to promote a nice vibrant downtown. Still, as I've said, I would prefer adding a more architecturally-oriented structure to our downtown, even if its smaller and less profitable.
The Marriott has two floors of underground parking, and two ramps on MSU's campus go 1-2 floors underground. I don't think they have been a high target of crime relative to the above ground parking floors. They also are pretty nice to use in the winter since cars are kept about 5-10 degrees warmer and don't get hit with the snow drift.