There will be a meeting tonight to discuss a pre-development agreement on City Center 2. The meeting won't be televised (I'm not sure why) but will be open to the public.
If approved, the pre-development agreement would allow for a 60-day “due diligence” period. During that time, council members would be able to review the project’s financial structure and physical layout.
In fact, it appears that Strathmore wants to get things started before Friday, as the site plan and special use permit would apparently expire if the first brick hasn't fallen by then. Scott Chappelle says that demolition should be complete within 60 days.
Lamar Construction, based out of Hudsonville, apparently has been awarded that work.
Well, according to the State News, the EL city council has voted to terminate this project. I hope they know what they're doing, but I doubt it. I know Strathmore has been dysfunctional, but EL has been mismanaged for years. I love the city anyway, despite horrible policies and decision making. So, how many years until those abandoned buildings are replaced? Any guesses?
MichMatters- Excellent points- but if your points don't support the term "mismanaged," then what word would you choose? A large (and very visible) section of the downtown area sits vacant- and has for years- because of poor choices and a lack of direction. I'm sure that several exciting proposals never happened (and, perhaps, never will) because of this debacle. Also, Strathmore poured a lot of money into this only to see it evaporate (I understand Strathmore is also at fault)- so how many developers are feeling confident about entering into negotiations with the Council right now?
Nearly 100,000 people set foot on campus on an average day. This project was to be built at the intersection of 3 main corridors to campus- and adjacent to several established neighborhoods.... Well, you all see these points. I don't have to explain to you why this is so mind-boggling. I was never in love with the proposed architecture, but it wasn't horrible, and the proposed tenants were an excellent mix for the area.
PS- EL also allowed the Northern Tier to happen, adding to sprawl and diminishing the "city center." And, while they might be responding to the wishes of some taxpayers, they have also managed to turn EL into a police state with crumbling buildings. Most of what is great about the city exists because of MSU- and often exists despite the city government. There are some exceptions: EL schools are excellent, and there are some great community centers and programs- but even those benefit from having MSU nearby (an active, bright, and talented population).
Wow. I thought that this one could blow up, but it still came a bit out of the blue. Kudos to the City Council and Tim Dempsey for doing the due diligence on this project (even if it did come a little late), and making a decision based on solid numbers.
I do agree with a number of the commenters on the State News article however: What is the City to do with that corner? I understand the DDA is in control of that land, but that Ciitizen's building has been vacant for years, and a little green space wouldn't be such a bad thing.
Comments
http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/article/20120321/BUSINESS02/303210006/Developer-Financing-secured-City-Center-II-East-Lansing?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE
Pre-Development Agreement PDF
In fact, it appears that Strathmore wants to get things started before Friday, as the site plan and special use permit would apparently expire if the first brick hasn't fallen by then. Scott Chappelle says that demolition should be complete within 60 days.
Lamar Construction, based out of Hudsonville, apparently has been awarded that work.
Nearly 100,000 people set foot on campus on an average day. This project was to be built at the intersection of 3 main corridors to campus- and adjacent to several established neighborhoods.... Well, you all see these points. I don't have to explain to you why this is so mind-boggling. I was never in love with the proposed architecture, but it wasn't horrible, and the proposed tenants were an excellent mix for the area.
PS- EL also allowed the Northern Tier to happen, adding to sprawl and diminishing the "city center." And, while they might be responding to the wishes of some taxpayers, they have also managed to turn EL into a police state with crumbling buildings. Most of what is great about the city exists because of MSU- and often exists despite the city government. There are some exceptions: EL schools are excellent, and there are some great community centers and programs- but even those benefit from having MSU nearby (an active, bright, and talented population).
I do agree with a number of the commenters on the State News article however: What is the City to do with that corner? I understand the DDA is in control of that land, but that Ciitizen's building has been vacant for years, and a little green space wouldn't be such a bad thing.
East Lansing gets look at revised project
http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/article/20121026/ELANSING/310260029/East-Lansing-gets-look-revised-project?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE&nclick_check=1
So long, City Center II.