I think the strong mayor type of local government is actually more democratic, in that a mayor has to face re-election and is more answerable to the voters than an appointed city manager. [I don't know how they do it in E.L.] I also think the opportunity for corruption is equal in both cases. For a project to take over thirty years to become a reality is really a shame. I don't understand their view on the student housing issue, it seems to me that there are already many students living downtown, and that almost every business is for students. I believe that they have been trying to save or create a place that is not there. I think allowances for low and medium income residents are what the city should be focused on not whether a tenet is student. Maybe they could leave the mix up to the market and to the owners of the buildings. I may not really like when a building designated "student housing" but I understand why they are. I think rules and living arrangements[size and set up of apartments] could keep the student mix lower if that is what the owner decides.
Not to be a downer, but the first proposal for City Center II (then Michigan Museum Place) was before 2006. My first post in the [East Lansing Development forum over at UP] from August 2005 references an already dated proposal for the site. There was a new proposal in November 2005 - [Michigan Museum Place thread - UP]
I guess that's even worse that the project location has outlived this site. In less time, Stonehouse is on their third project and could even approach a fourth before any ground is broken.
I'm not sure, but in the existing agreement I thought that the developer would finance and build the garage then sell it back to the city. I'd assume what they're talking about here is renegotiating that deal somehow.
No concrete information is given, but apparently some time ago MSU sent out an RFP for housing the university's 300-350 visiting scholars and there were no viable options, now they are working with the developer of City Center II to possibly use the corner space there. The article isn't really clear as to whether there are 300-350 scholars on campus at any given time or if that's the total over the course of a year so it's hard to discern how large of a project this may be. This looks to be pretty promising as MSU seems interested in getting more involved in off campus affairs, particularly downtown East Lansing:
(From a letter sent by MSU to East Lansing neighborhood groups): “MSU shares the vision of a vibrant downtown with the citizens of East Lansing to attract top talent who can go anywhere in the world. The university recruits the best and brightest each year and in order to attract and retain faculty and staff, the university would like to work with the city to eliminate blight and revitalize the downtown area.”
The article goes on to mention that the university is "potentially interested in eventually trying to provide some kind of retirement housing options near the university." And that it would "like to see more upscale residential condo-type options for wealthier alumni who visit the university 30-40 times a year for events, including games." This is all very good news.
Very interesting! I had not really considered MSU jumping across the street. The housing for temporary resident employees is a need that I was not aware of. I also hope this makes the whole thing a go and it does not get shrink treatment in size and quality as often happens around here. This corner is important to the whole community not just East Lansing, they should try to be more pro-active and let them build there.
It sounds like they are going to expand the project north to include the parking lot on the between Albert Ave and Dublin Square. However at the same time, I think they are going to reduce the height of the building at the corner of Abbot and Grand River.
I would be happy with six-story buildings along Abbot Road here, as I hope it would push some of the demand across the street and in to the Albert Avenue Lot and the surrounding buildings.
I am afraid this it the start or continuation of the dulling down process that always seems to happen to major projects here. Soon it will be just a parking ramp! just kidding
Comments
I think the strong mayor type of local government is actually more democratic, in that a mayor has to face re-election and is more answerable to the voters than an appointed city manager. [I don't know how they do it in E.L.] I also think the opportunity for corruption is equal in both cases. For a project to take over thirty years to become a reality is really a shame. I don't understand their view on the student housing issue, it seems to me that there are already many students living downtown, and that almost every business is for students. I believe that they have been trying to save or create a place that is not there. I think allowances for low and medium income residents are what the city should be focused on not whether a tenet is student. Maybe they could leave the mix up to the market and to the owners of the buildings. I may not really like when a building designated "student housing" but I understand why they are. I think rules and living arrangements[size and set up of apartments] could keep the student mix lower if that is what the owner decides.
Yeah, this website was around before the proposals. I guess I can be happy about that
Not to be a downer, but the first proposal for City Center II (then Michigan Museum Place) was before 2006. My first post in the [East Lansing Development forum over at UP] from August 2005 references an already dated proposal for the site. There was a new proposal in November 2005 - [Michigan Museum Place thread - UP]
I guess that's even worse that the project location has outlived this site. In less time, Stonehouse is on their third project and could even approach a fourth before any ground is broken.
I'm not sure, but in the existing agreement I thought that the developer would finance and build the garage then sell it back to the city. I'd assume what they're talking about here is renegotiating that deal somehow.
This could certainly change things: MSU Making Play for Blighted Corner
No concrete information is given, but apparently some time ago MSU sent out an RFP for housing the university's 300-350 visiting scholars and there were no viable options, now they are working with the developer of City Center II to possibly use the corner space there. The article isn't really clear as to whether there are 300-350 scholars on campus at any given time or if that's the total over the course of a year so it's hard to discern how large of a project this may be. This looks to be pretty promising as MSU seems interested in getting more involved in off campus affairs, particularly downtown East Lansing:
(From a letter sent by MSU to East Lansing neighborhood groups): “MSU shares the vision of a vibrant downtown with the citizens of East Lansing to attract top talent who can go anywhere in the world. The university recruits the best and brightest each year and in order to attract and retain faculty and staff, the university would like to work with the city to eliminate blight and revitalize the downtown area.”
The article goes on to mention that the university is "potentially interested in eventually trying to provide some kind of retirement housing options near the university." And that it would "like to see more upscale residential condo-type options for wealthier alumni who visit the university 30-40 times a year for events, including games." This is all very good news.
Very interesting! I had not really considered MSU jumping across the street. The housing for temporary resident employees is a need that I was not aware of. I also hope this makes the whole thing a go and it does not get shrink treatment in size and quality as often happens around here. This corner is important to the whole community not just East Lansing, they should try to be more pro-active and let them build there.
It sounds like they are going to expand the project north to include the parking lot on the between Albert Ave and Dublin Square. However at the same time, I think they are going to reduce the height of the building at the corner of Abbot and Grand River.
I would be happy with six-story buildings along Abbot Road here, as I hope it would push some of the demand across the street and in to the Albert Avenue Lot and the surrounding buildings.
I can't find where I saw a shorter structure being mentioned, but this ELi article mentions that the developer may remove all residential options from the project due to East Lansing's strict ordinance 1384. The building would only have retail and hotel at that point, so a smaller building would be understandable.
I am afraid this it the start or continuation of the dulling down process that always seems to happen to major projects here. Soon it will be just a parking ramp! just kidding