I keep forgetting to mention that Hillsdale Place townhomes at MLK and Hillsdale started prep work weeks ago, the 40-unit project on the former site of old Union Missionary Baptist.
The funny thing is that the Lansing Housing Commission's "finding of no significant impact" (FONSI) public notices keeps mentioning "one, 40 unit, 4-story building." I just have to assume that's a typo, because the permits that have been issued speak to four different buildings of two floors.
A 40 unit four-floor building would be a very pleasant surprise. That being said the plans in the building permits would seem likely to be what's actually happening, especially considering that was the original plan. I guess we'll see.
Yes, that's 99.9% what's getting built. But it was just funny to see in the Housing Commission public notices them keep referring to it as a single 4-story building. lol You think someone would have caught that.
I noticed the building at Kalamazoo and Pennsylvania [ a long-time eye sore] has been renovated at least on the outside with the sort of common steel and rock faced brick style of facade you see these days. I think there were four front doors so maybe it will be leased for small businesses or professional offices rather than a pot shop.
I took a little drive around on the terrible streets like Pennsylvania and Kalamazoo, Baker Street and Mt Hope Barnes Ave Moores River Drive [checking out the pool] and of course E Michigan by Frandor. Geeze are they ever going to do anything to improve these streets? I went that way to check out the new downtown construction sites for myself and was relieved to see workers and machinery on the sites. It is hopeful to see these projects starting despite the current crazy times.
A proposal called Turner North on Turner at Dodge River Drive has been proposed. The 76-unit apartment building is also getting good reviews by the neighborhood.
Not crazy about the design, but we've been waiting for more housing in Old Town to go along with the commercial revitalization forever. Between this and New Vision Lansing's building a block or two to the south, we're going to see more activity in the neighborhood.
Went up Grand, today, from Malcolm X - well, at least the portion not currently blocked. It was weird (in a pleasant way) to see Grand Vista Apartments, City Hall, Riverview and Tower on Grand all under construction within a few blocks. While I've been critical of each of these for various reasons - design, siting, etc. - I can't deny it's going to rebuild quite a bit of the streetwall along South Grand. But, yeah, it also does kind of reminded you of all the missed opportunities with each of these. I guess that's just the modern history of this city, though: missed opportunities. lol
Looks like they tore down the old building at the Tower on Grand site either this week or last.
I wasn't expecting Turner North to break yet, but one of the proposed parcels is city-owned so they will go through Act 33 review within a month or two. The city will have to publish the RFP response so there will be more details to come.
I haven't heard from Michigan Community Capital in a while, but I hope they announce plans for the 500 block E Cesar E Chavez sometime soon.
308 E Cesar and 800 block E Cesar/Case St. just went to the treasurer through foreclosure so those are some interesting infill opportunities.
Wait, the block between Cedar and Larch? South side, I assume? 308 E Cesar Chavez is the small building right next to Artic Corner; sounds like that'd just be a small renovation.
This is what we've been waiting for forever, honestly, the residential component of the comeback in Old Town. Years ago, there was talk of a multi story building for Lot 56 at the fish ladder, but it never came through. I do wonder if the city is still looking to unload at least part of that lot.
I'm unsurprised by the Turner & Dodge River Dr redevelopment, I saw that little building on the corner go up for sale and seemingly sell pretty quickly. It's a fairly ugly 5-over-1 building but what are you going to do? I don't have an LSJ subscription, are there any notable details or other site plans/renderings in the article?
Great to see these new developments in Old Town, this new construction is long overdue. Now to get something special on the Brenke Fish Ladder lot. The city just has to consider parking and festival space in Old Town before making a move, maybe keep extra room for festival space in Fish Ladder Park and look elsewhere for a parking a solution. I'm very interested in seeing what's proposed next to the Temple Club, seeing that block filled in would do wonders.
Good to hear about 308 E Cesar Chavez. I half-heartedly tried to get a friend to buy that to renovate a year or two ago, probably would have over extended ourselves but it would have been fun. A $100k+ in masonry repair just to stabilize the building makes it hard for anyone who doesn't have a line on a cheap mason, margins will be tight.
They must have put it behind a paywall. No, no additional renderings or anything. They say construction will not start any sooner than August of next year. They put the cost at $25 million and it's being developed by Craig Willian, of Develop Detroit, and Eric Helzer, of Creative Options on the 1.2 acre lot. They plan for it to mostly be one -and-two bedrooms, but it will have a few 3-bedroom units; they mention rents will be on a "sliding" scale based on income starting around $1,000/mt. The developers are hoping by June to have a lot owned by the city sold, and a brownfield plan worked out.
I'll try to update on this one in the Old Town thread after this.
Comments
The funny thing is that the Lansing Housing Commission's "finding of no significant impact" (FONSI) public notices keeps mentioning "one, 40 unit, 4-story building." I just have to assume that's a typo, because the permits that have been issued speak to four different buildings of two floors.
I took a little drive around on the terrible streets like Pennsylvania and Kalamazoo, Baker Street and Mt Hope Barnes Ave Moores River Drive [checking out the pool] and of course E Michigan by Frandor. Geeze are they ever going to do anything to improve these streets? I went that way to check out the new downtown construction sites for myself and was relieved to see workers and machinery on the sites. It is hopeful to see these projects starting despite the current crazy times.
https://www.lansingstatejournal.com/story/news/local/2025/04/29/old-town-lansing-apartments-development-rents/83355280007/
Not crazy about the design, but we've been waiting for more housing in Old Town to go along with the commercial revitalization forever. Between this and New Vision Lansing's building a block or two to the south, we're going to see more activity in the neighborhood.
Looks like they tore down the old building at the Tower on Grand site either this week or last.
I haven't heard from Michigan Community Capital in a while, but I hope they announce plans for the 500 block E Cesar E Chavez sometime soon.
308 E Cesar and 800 block E Cesar/Case St. just went to the treasurer through foreclosure so those are some interesting infill opportunities.
This is what we've been waiting for forever, honestly, the residential component of the comeback in Old Town. Years ago, there was talk of a multi story building for Lot 56 at the fish ladder, but it never came through. I do wonder if the city is still looking to unload at least part of that lot.
Great to see these new developments in Old Town, this new construction is long overdue. Now to get something special on the Brenke Fish Ladder lot. The city just has to consider parking and festival space in Old Town before making a move, maybe keep extra room for festival space in Fish Ladder Park and look elsewhere for a parking a solution. I'm very interested in seeing what's proposed next to the Temple Club, seeing that block filled in would do wonders.
Good to hear about 308 E Cesar Chavez. I half-heartedly tried to get a friend to buy that to renovate a year or two ago, probably would have over extended ourselves but it would have been fun. A $100k+ in masonry repair just to stabilize the building makes it hard for anyone who doesn't have a line on a cheap mason, margins will be tight.
I'll try to update on this one in the Old Town thread after this.