36 replies to this topic

[davidb]

It looks like on this layout that the original building will not be touched, but my concern is with the size of the store and the availability of the patio.  The current location is a little too small for the amount of traffic it gets (try going to the bathroom on a Thursday around 7 p.m.) but I love the outdoor patio when it is nice out or if you are a smoker like me.

[hood]

I'm sure that if Beaners moves into this development it will be very nice. The lease rates for this building are $25/sq ft, thats pretty high, so I would assume that anything that moves into here will be of high quality.

[jaredw]

At today's city council meeting, there was a discussion about why the West Village still hasn't started construction:

"Council also set an April 4 public hearing to consider increasing the tax incentives being given to the developer of the West Village project. The developer has encountered significant costs in relocating public utilities, such as sewers, electricity and water lines.

Community Development Administrator Tim Dempsey recommended the council give the developer additional tax help to offset some of the costs of the utility work."

-- From the State News

[Lmichigan]

I'm as warying as the next guy about tax incentives, but this sounds alright seeing as how the developer has hit some unforseen cost that were out of his control.

[hood]

Not to mention those costs involved utilities, which I thought the city usually took care of in projects like this anyways. With the Stadium district the city gave Gillespie a discount on the sale of the property to offset the cost of relocating utilities.

[kissinger]

Could somebody please tell me who the developer and architect is on this project.  Thankyou.

[hood]

kissinger, on Mar 1 2006, 08:17 PM, said:

Could somebody please tell me who the developer and architect is on this project.  Thankyou.

The develper is Jerome Abood, a realtor for Signature Associates and he own his own firm, Abood Properties. The Architect is Studio Intrigue

[JazperG]

West Village is kind of far from the rest of downtown east lansing but it will still be nice since the louis street area is nicely developed, but i feel that east lansing's downtown is too narrow, consisting of just Grand River and its hard for ppl to walk that far down, if Albert gets more developed, it ll add density to the downtown area. Adding affordable apartments on top of the other buildings on Grand River and Albert would add so much more life and help the business on G.river a lot. West Village will be attract more business if there was higher density around it, maybe it'll increase once City Center II is builty, but overall, centralizing downtown east lansing by developing albert more where there are old danky houses and putting stores,office space, and apartments would add so much life and revenue for stores and the city. East Lansing Mayor Sam Singh seems dedicated on making downtown East Lansing larger, more urban, and successful for the city.

[hood]

There are early plans to build a 4 story mixed use building on one of the downtown side streets, I can't remember which one though. It began as a six floor building but city council shot that down . I really think that both downtown Lansing and East Lansing are really going to take of over the next five or so years, there are big changes to come.

[hood]

WLNS had a story on the West Village today, no new info but it's nice to know this project is still going: Local Development Will Provide New Homes and Jobs

[jaredw]

There was some news to me.  I didn't know they were planning on starting within the next month.  I remember reading just a month ago or so that the developer needed more money to relocate utilities.

Plus I hadn't seen the picture of the gray rowhouses:

[hood]

It's sounding like this will be a very high end develeopment, especially the rowhouses. I just hope that they can finally get started on this thing, it was set for completion in mid 2006 and that was already delayed a lot.

[hood]

Just an update, the real-estate listing for this building shows occupancy to be Spring 2007, that would mean demolition should be starting anytime.

[jaredw]

I hope so. ^

Edited by jaredw, 25 April 2006 - 12:08 AM.

[JazperG]

West Village has changed its 4 story condo project to a 5 story marriot residence inn with a restarant on the bottom floor. They are beginning their 2nd row of townhomes this month. Should be an interesting project for the area. The area filled with apartments and houses on the other side of Grand River has been getting upgraded and hopefully this will lead to better housing and commercial uses for this area.

[Eridony]

Is there a rendering for the Residence Inn yet?

I wonder what will become of the old Residence Inn after the new one opens.

[Lmichigan]

The city planner for East Lansing wonders, as well, according to the LSJ a day ago. lol