@MichMatters - the master plan calls for a much more human/pedestrian friendly environment and this area is part of campus still. This doesn't do it for me. It could include more space where you can't see cars or roads. I think it would be much more compelling if they didn't include that add'l road where the arena and hotel split and just consolidate the parking to a structure in the SE corner where that large surface lot is. I know that costs money but their budget is large. I don't think this is final so I look forward to the realization of this.
I've been in touch with Brandon List, the new campus planner. I noticed Red Cedar Road is gone in front of this building in these renderings and I asked him if that road will get removed in front of this new building. He confirmed that when this gets built, that section of Red Cedar road will get removed. Last i heard they'll break ground in the fall. Hopefully, that does move forward.
I guess I'm of the opinion that this development is better than I expected. I agree with everything @P2005 said, especially on the driveways between the building and road, but I find it difficult to nitpick too much on this one. If anything, I wish the arena could have been on Michigan Ave, incorporated into the Red Cedar development.
LSJ is reporting Gillespie Group is part of the development team for this one, which I'm not exactly happy to hear about. lol Also, they too make note that the land lease is unusual for an on-campus project like this. The university will build the arena, which I hope means that they will also operate it. I guess the silver lining for me is that an outside group is part of the privately-developed part of this project. Because, I'm generally not impressed by Gillespie's post-Stadium District projects, quite frankly.
But, mostly, I'm cautiously optimistic, because what I'd always expect was for them to keep most of the site "greenspace" and maybe add some low-slung classroom building on part of it. So uses this intense were pretty much a surprise. It's a nice mix of uses I didn't anticipate.
The irony of Gillespie Group being named the Gateway District developer (partner) meanwhile their Stadium District properties are half vacant and overwhelmed by parking lots. I jest, I know MSU will make them a ton more money, but dang I wish they would add some residential density to Larch St. and help put pressure on the State for some street diets to make it more livable.
Has the Gillespie Group ever built such a large project? I wonder why they did not choose the same contractor that are building the "Wellness Center" which is Granger I believe, they seem to have handled that huge project quite well. I would think that MSU will be choosing the architects and design so Gillespie can't cheap out on that and build one of those boxy "same as the other one" type projects he likes.
MSU is only developing the arena. The rest is being developed by the private companies, which are Goldenrod Companies out of Omaha and Gillespie Group. The Wellness Center is an MSU-developed project.
I share the surprise that Gillespie Group is the selected developer, this sort of thing doesn't really seem in their wheelhouse. I guess I'm happy to see a local developer upping their game, hopefully that same energy shows up when he turns his attention back to downtown Lansing. @citykid I sense you were half-kidding, but are Gillespie's Stadium District properties doing that poor? Just from observation the parking lots all seem full. Despite his building's mediocre build quality and design, it's still not a sign for downtown if his properties are struggling.
What I have noticed is that some of the retail spaces in Pat's new buildings have not been leased out since the buildings were built, I think that may be that rental lease rates are too high, rather than then undesirable locations.
Gillespie Group has been and are doing things so kudos, seriously, it's awesome. I just wish if they had the resources they would be more aggressive. They keep peddling their obsolete industrial buildings on loopnet rather than demolishing and building up new residential. With that is how completely unlivable Cedar and Larch are as-is.
I just think leaving LBC and Stadium Lofts south as parking lots/underdeveloped is a huge opportunity cost.
I'm not a developer but I think they have to get better at designating micro-commercial suites and scaling up incubators rather than relying on residential rents to cover leaving anchor spaces vacant indefinitely.
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https://ipf.msu.edu/construction/current-projects/engineering-and-digital-innovation-center
But, mostly, I'm cautiously optimistic, because what I'd always expect was for them to keep most of the site "greenspace" and maybe add some low-slung classroom building on part of it. So uses this intense were pretty much a surprise. It's a nice mix of uses I didn't anticipate.
I just think leaving LBC and Stadium Lofts south as parking lots/underdeveloped is a huge opportunity cost.
I'm not a developer but I think they have to get better at designating micro-commercial suites and scaling up incubators rather than relying on residential rents to cover leaving anchor spaces vacant indefinitely.