EAST LANSING, Mich. – East Lansing Mayor Mark Meadows has signed the Master Development Agreement for the Center City District redevelopment project and demolition is scheduled to begin in downtown East Lansing next week.
The Development Agreement for the project was approved by the East Lansing City Council on June 20, 2017, at which time the Councilmembers authorized Mayor Meadows to sign the agreement once all of the exhibits within the agreement were completed. The developer has secured financing and is now ready to proceed.
“In the last couple of weeks, there have been a number of news reports indicating that the Center City District project was not proceeding. Much of that speculation revolved around the “walk away” statement by the developer. I am happy to report that the developer indicated earlier today that it is satisfied that it can provide required performance guarantees and it has signed the Development Agreement,” said East Lansing Mayor Mark Meadows. “On that basis, myself, the Downtown Development Authority and Brownfield Redevelopment Authority Chair Peter Dewan and various City staff have also signed the Development Agreement. I look forward to observing the progress of the project and will stay vigilant in protecting the resources of the City. The next step is for the developer to produce a performance guarantee regarding the demolition. Upon receipt, the City will issue permits and the demolition will begin.”
Demolition & Closure Information
Community members are advised that the Albert Avenue Lot (Lot 1), 230 Albert Ave., will be closed to the public beginning Monday, Nov. 6 to begin staging the site for demolition for the project. All vehicles will need to be out of the lot by 6 a.m.
Demolition of 125, 133, 135 and 201-209 E. Grand River Ave. is anticipated to be underway by early next week. To accommodate the demolition and the construction to follow, there will be an eastbound lane closure on Albert Avenue, between Abbot Road and the east end of the Albert Avenue Lot. There will also be a sidewalk closure on Grand River Avenue in the project area between 125 and 209 E. Grand River Ave. Pedestrian detour signs will be in place.
Community members are encouraged to continue to visit their favorite downtown East Lansing businesses during the demolition and construction phases for the Center City District project. All businesses will remain open and accessible. A list of downtown parking locations can be found at www.cityofeastlansing.com/parkingdowntown. Community members and business owners can sign up for the latest downtown East Lansing construction alerts by texting 38470 to ELBUZZ.
About the Center City District Redevelopment Project
The Center City District mixed-use redevelopment project is expected to be completed in the summer of 2019. Construction will be taking place along the 100 and 200 blocks of E. Grand River Ave. and the Albert Avenue Lot. The project will include a 12-story, mixed-use building on Grand River Avenue with a Target flexible-format store and 273 mixed-market rental units and a 10-story, mixed-use building on Albert Avenue with 92 senior housing rental units, street-level retail and a 620-space parking structure. In addition to the two buildings, the project will also include significant downtown infrastructure improvements. The total project site is just over two acres.