The Rescue Mission expansion isn't anything to get excited about but at least they're not expanding further on Michigan Ave, and I have at least some faith in the Mission to run things right. The buildings they're moving into appear fairly large, I imagine it will give them a good bit of room to expand.
RE: the Public Safety complex, I totally hear you all. The main reason it looks the way it does is because of potential threats against the police and the array of users. The developers visited quite a few newly built locations, namely one in metro Detroit (location escapes me at the moment) that did build a more urban layout and there was an overwhelming response about how exposed they were to vandalism, protests, or possible car ramming. I won't comment on how valid the Planning and Zoning Office thought of that. A more urban layout with the building along the frontage was seriously considered but at the end of the day I think the police dept. got the vote. The parking is dreadful. It did decrease a lot from what is actually proscribed in the zoning ordinance so minor "win" there, but eventually there will be six courts operating and the site will host multiple trainings for first responders from other municipalities. Allegedly this was the lowest they could go. By right INST-1 can have four aisles of front parking, or 120', which was meant to accommodate people needing an emergency room, not this type of use, so that will be a zoning edit in the future. I think there was as much compromising as possible so no one is super happy with it.
RE: subdivision regulations, not much to add. It is a dumb regulation and it is holding up a significant (for Lansing) plan for new single family homes. Should have fixed this a long time ago. I'll have to do some research on lot size <4,000 with minimum house size of 400-576 sq. ft. 1,500 feels too tiny to me but I need to find a visualization.
The rezoning for detached rental housing at Miller and Aurelius was approved. The rezoning for a quadplex on N Chestnut was denied.
An RFP is going out very soon for the city-owned parcels at the Cedar-Kalamazoo-Larch intersection. Fingers crossed for a cool proposal.
It's very disappointing that the quite silly "safety and security" argument was given so much credence at the public safety complex, I fail to see how public parking lots in the front even help with that, something similar to what the state police did would of seemed more appropriate. If the police/fire hq and courts are really at risk of being attacked by the public then we have much bigger issues that need addressing, I'm tired of seeing fortress-like architecture on public buildings, it's unnecessary. I'm sorry to say it but I believe this is ultimately the result of weak leadership and lack of direction up at the top.
The Kalamazoo-Larch-Cedar RFP is exciting, I do think it should be considered as a back up option for a new city hall if a more prominent location near the Capitol isn't feasible. I don't expect anything huge here but I do hope for something at least a little above average architecturally, the old Kalamazoo Gateway proposal was kinda cool.
I'll have to get by there and check out the QD property, that has been of interest to me since I did my own concept rework of the site awhile back.
That sound wall for for Cherry Hill has been nice for me, they really do make a difference. There will be more sound walls coming as part of the 127 rebuild.
I read today via the MSN/LSJ online news feed, that the Mayor and developers are going to make a major announcement on the 8th of August about developments that "will transform the skyline of Lansing" with 450 housing units, retail, office, and green spaces downtown! that sounds exciting!
Chestnut quadplex - the most I heard is that too many neighbors spoke against it. But they were okay with two duplexes or a triplex, so go figure.
Planning Commission voted to approve the City Rescue Mission's move 5-1. Not surprisingly, property managers and apartment owners came out to speak against it, but no actual residents/tenants. Most brought up Reutter Park and current trespassing, but who knows if those people even stay at the shelter. But the shelter will have a day program so maybe more people will have a place to go during the day. They did softly commit to doing park clean ups and patrols.
Building inspector is checking out the QD property so I'll update you if I hear anything.
No one talked to Planning and Zoning about the Gentilozzi project so no details there but found this article about one of the brothers of the 'transformative' downtown project so I don't have a lot of hope for their follow through. The article lists two office buildings in addition to the old Strand Theater so I am guessing office --> residential conversions rather than new builds. I can't attend Tuesday so I guess we'll see what the news says afterward.
-I hadn't thought about the potential impact that the Rescue Mission could have on an already struggling Reutter Park, that is something that I hope attention is paid to.
-The neighborhoods attitude regarding the Chestnut quadplex is perplexing. Are they aware of how their neighborhood is viewed by outsiders? It's not good, not at all.
It's interesting to see Joe Kosik in this context. He's also the head of Wisconsin Resorts, Inc, which owns and operates all of the metro Detroit ski areas except Mt. Brighton, plus some others in MI, WI, and ON. I'm a snowsport enthusiest, so I'm familiar with his company.
As for JFK Investments, their other properties are pretty suburban looking. I hope this is finally the realization of the Capitol Club Tower we were teased with so long ago. http://studiointrigue.com/capitol-club-tower
LANSING — More than 450 new housing units would come to downtown Lansing in the next two years under a $200 million proposal by the Gentilozzi family, funded in part by the record amount of one-time grants in this year's state budget and millions in proposed tax credits.
Three projects by the longtime Lansing developers, in partnership with southeast Michigan investors, would create the tallest building in downtown Lansing, redevelop an existing iconic office building and turn several lots currently containing vacant homes into an apartment complex.
The developments, under the umbrella of New Vision Lansing, will be led by Paul, John and Tony Gentilozzi, along with Bloomfield Hills-based JFK Investment Company. JFK is owned by the Kosik family of Bloomfield Hills and led by Joseph Kosik.
As cool as this would be- The Capitol Club Tower was also proposed....right before the real estate crash. A lot of people are anticipating another downturn in the real estate market, so this might just be a top indicator (again).
Comments
RE: subdivision regulations, not much to add. It is a dumb regulation and it is holding up a significant (for Lansing) plan for new single family homes. Should have fixed this a long time ago. I'll have to do some research on lot size <4,000 with minimum house size of 400-576 sq. ft. 1,500 feels too tiny to me but I need to find a visualization.
The rezoning for detached rental housing at Miller and Aurelius was approved. The rezoning for a quadplex on N Chestnut was denied.
An RFP is going out very soon for the city-owned parcels at the Cedar-Kalamazoo-Larch intersection. Fingers crossed for a cool proposal.
The Kalamazoo-Larch-Cedar RFP is exciting, I do think it should be considered as a back up option for a new city hall if a more prominent location near the Capitol isn't feasible. I don't expect anything huge here but I do hope for something at least a little above average architecturally, the old Kalamazoo Gateway proposal was kinda cool.
That sound wall for for Cherry Hill has been nice for me, they really do make a difference. There will be more sound walls coming as part of the 127 rebuild.
Planning Commission voted to approve the City Rescue Mission's move 5-1. Not surprisingly, property managers and apartment owners came out to speak against it, but no actual residents/tenants. Most brought up Reutter Park and current trespassing, but who knows if those people even stay at the shelter. But the shelter will have a day program so maybe more people will have a place to go during the day. They did softly commit to doing park clean ups and patrols.
Building inspector is checking out the QD property so I'll update you if I hear anything.
No one talked to Planning and Zoning about the Gentilozzi project so no details there but found this article about one of the brothers of the 'transformative' downtown project so I don't have a lot of hope for their follow through. The article lists two office buildings in addition to the old Strand Theater so I am guessing office --> residential conversions rather than new builds. I can't attend Tuesday so I guess we'll see what the news says afterward.
-I'm cautiously optimistic here, he hasn't done a lot lately but he seems to take care of his properties. It's sounding like there may be a mid-rise or better among the three projects. Hard to get to 450 units at only 4 or 5 floors. Crossing my fingers hoping for something cool with the Atrium Building.
-I hadn't thought about the potential impact that the Rescue Mission could have on an already struggling Reutter Park, that is something that I hope attention is paid to.
-The neighborhoods attitude regarding the Chestnut quadplex is perplexing. Are they aware of how their neighborhood is viewed by outsiders? It's not good, not at all.
As for JFK Investments, their other properties are pretty suburban looking. I hope this is finally the realization of the Capitol Club Tower we were teased with so long ago.
http://studiointrigue.com/capitol-club-tower
I wish I could watch the announcement live.
LANSING — More than 450 new housing units would come to downtown Lansing in the next two years under a $200 million proposal by the Gentilozzi family, funded in part by the record amount of one-time grants in this year's state budget and millions in proposed tax credits.
Three projects by the longtime Lansing developers, in partnership with southeast Michigan investors, would create the tallest building in downtown Lansing, redevelop an existing iconic office building and turn several lots currently containing vacant homes into an apartment complex.
The developments, under the umbrella of New Vision Lansing, will be led by Paul, John and Tony Gentilozzi, along with Bloomfield Hills-based JFK Investment Company. JFK is owned by the Kosik family of Bloomfield Hills and led by Joseph Kosik.