A mixed use building here would actually increase daily business since they would have more customers living ten feet away. Hopefully another developer can come in and maybe speak to the owner of peanut barrel beforehand since he is in charge of the committee for this portion of downtown development and show the benefits. North Carolina just eliminated parking minimums on a state wide basis.
Does anyone have a rendering for the expanded Graduate rooftop?
The DDA (which would be the owner of Peanut Barrel) and the Planning Commission had both recommended the development proceed, only the Council said no.
It does seem odd, in that almost everyone seems to agree that the lot will eventually be developed. So the only question then becomes, so exactly what sort of proposal are you waiting for? And the Council doesn't seem clear on that, they just "gave in" to concerns from existing business owners.
While it could be that during construction the businesses by the surface lot could lose some business, once completed there would be hundreds of people living next door going into their shops as happens here at Newman Lofts. All of the businesses in these blocks of Albert had to get through the construction and now are benefiting from year-round residents spending money. It seems sort sighted to turn down a muti-million-dollar project for a surface parking lot. By the way I have never seen this lot full, or even half full.
Unpopular comment maybe, but I think the city just needs to give up this idea that *downtown* needs "diverse" housing. There is a better case to be made that the city as a whole benefits from having a diversity of housing types of available. They need not all be downtown - and, if you let normal market forces work, they probably wouldn't be.
I wouldn't argue against that at all. If downtown were allowed to develop organically I'm fairly confident that in time the city/residents would get something pretty close to what they want anyhow. EL had fought tooth and nail against anything new for decades, change doesn't happen overnight.
So if Ingham county court approves the Taureen development, are they then allowed to build on that lot, that EL cc denied? I am surprised at their persistance. Probably the lot owner is also involved? He clearly stated that he won't be working with the city further and that the lot will be developed one way or another. Ann Arbor eliminated parking minimums I believe.
I also wonder exactly how that would work, it kind of sounds like if they win they could move forward with the project. It could get interesting. Eliminating parking minimums would seem a bold step by EL standards, I'm not too familiar with all the intricacies of their current zoning.
Comments
Does anyone have a rendering for the expanded Graduate rooftop?
It does seem odd, in that almost everyone seems to agree that the lot will eventually be developed. So the only question then becomes, so exactly what sort of proposal are you waiting for? And the Council doesn't seem clear on that, they just "gave in" to concerns from existing business owners.
Also of note from EL Info, I've gotten behind on their stories:
https://eastlansinginfo.news/city-council-approves-large-expansion-to-the-graduates-rooftop-bar/
https://eastlansinginfo.news/construction-timeline-and-other-details-about-east-lansings-next-large-apartment-building/
Newer story from EL Info: https://eastlansinginfo.news/developer-asks-ingham-county-court-to-overturn-apartment-denial/
Update on other developments by EL Info: https://eastlansinginfo.news/restaurant-roundup-latest-on-pizza-shops-sheetz-more-planned-for-east-lansing/
Apparently the Bocce restaurant that's been under construction since 2022 is still planned to open, someday at least.