Park District Planning Area
The Park District Planning Area is a redevelopment-ready site located at the corner of Abbot Road and Grand River Avenue in downtown East Lansing. The area includes land that is publicly and privately owned. The privately owned property/land was acquired by WGR Finance LLC in 2016. WGR Finance LLC is working with DRW Holdings LLC/Convexity Properties to redevelop the area.
In April 2017, East Lansing City Council approved the developer's proposed project for the area; however, an agreement was not reached between the former developer of the City Center II project and the current developer regarding the Michigan Business Tax credit, so the project did not move forward at that time. Despite the initial proposed project not moving forward, the blighted buildings within the area were demolished in October 2017.
The developer has since re-worked the site plan and submitted a revised site plan in June 2018, which was approved by Council in August 2018. In September 2018, the development agreement and brownfield plan for the newly proposed project were approved by Council. The project includes a mixed-use building with apartments and retail and a separate hotel building on Grand River Avenue (100-140 W. Grand River Ave.) and a residential building planned for affordable rental apartments at 341-345 Evergreen Ave.
The developer obtained state approvals in November 2018 and submitted foundation permits and site work drawings. Construction began in December 2018 and construction of the two buildings on Grand River Avenue have since been completed. View documents from fall 2016-2018.
MLive asked two urban planners what they would envision for the Park District Planning area project. Read the opinions of Mark Wilson, professor at the MSU School of Planning, Design and Construction, and Zenia Kotval, professor at the MSU School of Planning Design and Construction.
Community members are welcome to share their feedback on the proposed Park District project.
In April 2017, East Lansing City Council approved the developer's proposed project for the area; however, an agreement was not reached between the former developer of the City Center II project and the current developer regarding the Michigan Business Tax credit, so the project did not move forward at that time. Despite the initial proposed project not moving forward, the blighted buildings within the area were demolished in October 2017.
The developer has since re-worked the site plan and submitted a revised site plan in June 2018, which was approved by Council in August 2018. In September 2018, the development agreement and brownfield plan for the newly proposed project were approved by Council. The project includes a mixed-use building with apartments and retail and a separate hotel building on Grand River Avenue (100-140 W. Grand River Ave.) and a residential building planned for affordable rental apartments at 341-345 Evergreen Ave.
The developer obtained state approvals in November 2018 and submitted foundation permits and site work drawings. Construction began in December 2018 and construction of the two buildings on Grand River Avenue have since been completed. View documents from fall 2016-2018.
Experts Weigh in on Park District Vision
Marybeth Graebert of the MSU Land Policy Institute previously wrote about the project. Read the article.MLive asked two urban planners what they would envision for the Park District Planning area project. Read the opinions of Mark Wilson, professor at the MSU School of Planning, Design and Construction, and Zenia Kotval, professor at the MSU School of Planning Design and Construction.
Community Feedback
Community members are welcome to share their feedback on the proposed Park District project.