I lived out there when Chandler Crossings first opened at Melrose Apts (now the Landings at Chandler Crossings) on the east side of Chandler Rd. The appeal at the time was the new units, often cheaper than closer to campus apts, and the amenities (bus passes, cable, internet included). Even the electric and gas were hooked up. No setting up of utilities.
Private bathrooms. Individual leases. The bus ride wasn't bad, straight down Abbot Rd. By the third year, the apts were starting to slowly decline. Rents more expensive, more vacancies, customer service decline, etc. That area has grown so much since then. I'm glad to see some of the increased density closer to downtown. I imagine some of the Chandler Appts will be torn down and hopefully replaced with subdivision, etc.
Looks like the DDA was blindsided. This is definitely weird, because anything that's planned downtown almost always starts with the DDA before it makes it to council. This time, the city bypassed them completely. Makes you wonder what's going on behind the scenes that they feel they need to stop. Something of this much consequence would usually require a lot of discussions before a vote.
The hotel/dispensary/retail building at Merritt Road and Park Lake Road across from Costco comes back before the planning commission next week. They've updated the packet, a bit.
Ha! At the discussion-only council meeting last night, they backed off the development moratorium downtown. I honestly didn't think they would back off. Makes me wonder whose idea it was in the planning department to try and rush this through in the first place. lol
And Mark Meadows was quoted by ELi as saying he will have his own personal moratorium, effectively announcing No votes before he can consider the actual proposal.
Location: 918 East Grand River Ave., Suite 1 (future location of 7-Eleven, as part of The Hub project)
Applicant: The Dimension Group
Requested SUP: For the sale of packaged beer, wine and liquor.
Council's Vote: Unanimously approved
Location: 340 Albert Ave. (BAPS Home Style Korean BBQ Cuisine)
Applicant: Baps, Inc.
Requested SUP: For a restaurant, including on-site consumption of alcohol.
Council's Vote: Unanimously approved. Council also unanimously approved a resolution recommending approval of an application from Baps, Inc. for a Class C Liquor License to the Michigan Liquor Control Commission (MLCC).
Location: 202 Albert Ave. (future location of Barrio Tacos, as part of the Center City District project)
Applicant: Sparty Tacos, LLC
Requested SUP: For a restaurant, including on-site consumption of alcohol.
Council's Vote: Unanimously approved. Council also unanimously approved a resolution recommending approval of an application from Sparty Tacos, LLC. for a Class C Redevelopment Project Area License to the MLCC.
Location: 246 E. Saginaw St. (Sidebar)
Applicant: 246 Equities, LLC.
Requested SUP: For the expansion of an existing restaurant, including on-site consumption of alcohol.
Council's Vote: Unanimously approved
Location: 1100 Trowbridge Road (SpringHill Suites by Marriott)
Applicant: United Hospitality Group East Lansing, LLC
Requested SUP: For the sales of packaged beer and wine.
Council's Vote: Unanimously approved
Comments
Private bathrooms. Individual leases. The bus ride wasn't bad, straight down Abbot Rd. By the third year, the apts were starting to slowly decline. Rents more expensive, more vacancies, customer service decline, etc. That area has grown so much since then. I'm glad to see some of the increased density closer to downtown. I imagine some of the Chandler Appts will be torn down and hopefully replaced with subdivision, etc.
Well, the local media picked up on the proposed moratorium on downtown construction:
https://www.wlns.com/news/city-council-to-consider-development-development-in-the-downtown-district/2049891020
Looks like the DDA was blindsided. This is definitely weird, because anything that's planned downtown almost always starts with the DDA before it makes it to council. This time, the city bypassed them completely. Makes you wonder what's going on behind the scenes that they feel they need to stop. Something of this much consequence would usually require a lot of discussions before a vote.
The council postponed a decision on the moratorium, but it sounds like all-but approved judging by the mayor's comments:
https://us17.campaign-archive.com/?u=d99498ce3806962a5ede26662&id=f72528b268
The hotel/dispensary/retail building at Merritt Road and Park Lake Road across from Costco comes back before the planning commission next week. They've updated the packet, a bit.
Site plan:
https://eastlansing.granicus.com/MetaViewer.php?view_id=2&event_id=1962&meta_id=79633
Renderings:
https://eastlansing.granicus.com/MetaViewer.php?view_id=2&event_id=1962&meta_id=79635
These plans look OK for the location, that being said it looks pretty much run of the mill, not much of interest in design.
Ha! At the discussion-only council meeting last night, they backed off the development moratorium downtown. I honestly didn't think they would back off. Makes me wonder whose idea it was in the planning department to try and rush this through in the first place. lol
https://us17.campaign-archive.com/?u=d99498ce3806962a5ede26662&id=703af76461
All special use permits and liquor license permits for all of the new retail and restaurants opening were approved:
https://us17.campaign-archive.com/?u=d99498ce3806962a5ede26662&id=4762c43d50
A lot of streetwork is finishing up downtown. They've finished up on M.A.C. and Albert between M.A.C. and Abbot:
https://twitter.com/CityofEL/status/1152263893441552385