Central Lansing Construction and Development.

[RustTown]

Since there is one for Flint, Detroit, and a number of threads for Grand Rapids, I thought I would start one here. The first post is just of the major projects planned, approved, or under construction in downtown Lansing:

Map:

The Arbaugh - This historic building was recently stripped of it's modern glass facade and is undergoing renovation in to first floor retail/office space with 48 loft apartments on the top four floors. It will have heated, underground parking in the basement for residents. Completion Date: 2006

The Mutual Lofts - The former Michigan Miller Mutual Building will undergo conversion into lofts starting soon. It will include first floor office space, and 38 loft condominiums. A 6th floor will be added to this building and include 2 large penthouse units. Completion Date: 2006

Hollister Building - The Hollister Building will undergo renovation to put an unspecified number of loft units in the top floors, and the retail that's in the building will remain on the first floor. Proposed.

The Famous Taco Building (taller, criss-cross patterned building in center) - this building is finally being returned to it's former glory. Lofts will go in on the top floors with retail on the first. Completion date: 2005-2006

Prudden Place Apartments - New Construction includes 120-unit apartment development on the northeast side of downtown. Completion Date: 2005-2006

Prudden Lofts - will include 140-180 lofts apartments adjacent to the Prudden Place Apartments in the old Prudden Motor Wheels Factory. It will also include underground parking. It's under construction. Completion Date: unknown.

Stadium District - this project will include a parking garage (250-315 spaces) in back, first floor retail and office, and 89 loft apartments and condominiums (21 condos, 68 upscale apartments) on the top floor. It's still in going through approval and will start construction in late 2005. Completion Date: 2006

Printer Row(Cherry Hill Townhomes) - this new construction will include 17 Victorian and Chicago-styled townhomes and office space in the historic Kerr House. It's still going through the approval phase and will be started this year and completed in 2006.

Oliver Towers Site (Capitol at Ionia) - this will include 80-100 new townhomes, at $150,000-$190,000. This will take up an entire block after the vacant Oliver Towers is demolished, and at each corner a retail/office building will be tucked in. This is in the planning stages. Completion Date: unknown.

Ottawa @ Butler - this will include 72-76 townhomes priced at $165,000-$190,000 on the northwest side of downtown. It is a proposal. Completion Date: unknown.

301 South Capitol Place - this historic building is undergoing renovation (almost complete). It will have 17 lofts in the upper floor, and retail at street level. It is directly across the street from Cooley Law School Campus downtown Completion Date: Late 2005

There are quite a few other smaller projects going on along Washington Square, and some huge proposals that no specific plans have been released for, but this gives a pretty big rundown. I'll update photos and such as time goes on.

[RustTown]

Though not directly downtown East Village on the near eastside is one of the first new, large-scale housing developments to hit Lansing in decades. It includes 177 housing units total, 33 single family condos, 144 attached condos in three different styled buildings:

[wolverine]

I'm glad the Arbaugh Building got rid of that glass facade. Just look what great condition that brick facade is in though! It's good thing when it was covered, it wasn't carelessly destroyed. It's great to see all these projects going on. I would like to see the areas surrounding the downtown to get built up a bit.

[RustTown]

Yeah, luckily, they only covered the old Arbaugh Department Store with glass instead of taking apart the facade. It's really what preserved the original brick. Many people (including myself) didn't even know that it was a historic building underneath. It was covered up in the 70's.

This will be a HUGE boost to downtown housing and will get us some quality retail. And it's a project done right. Instead of tearing down adjacent buildings for parking, they will utilize the basement for parking keeping the block in tact.

As for the areas around downtown, they are slowly revitalizing, but like you probably have noticed, not fast enough. Old Town to the north and REO Town to the south are sustaining themselves, but they need a major kick in the pants.

[RustTown]

Update:

It's looks like 3 of the 8 buildings are already under construction. This project actually directly abutts some car dealerships on Larch Street and sit above a hill, so they are hidden behind the commercial lining the street, but are quite visible as well.

6-27-2005

[RustTown]

More development news from the North End/Old Town:

Business would bring Old Town 10,000 customers

Preuss Animal House plans move from Haslett

Emily Ransom/City Pulse

By BERL SCHWARTZ, Lansing City Pulse

In a step that would put in place a big missing piece of Lansing

[dnast]

That was a pretty interesting read about the new store. It must have quite the following. I like how Old Town appears to have a tight-knit community similar to traditional residential neighborhoods of the past.

Somehow Lansing fell of my radar of nearby cities to take a look at. I'll have to make sure I make it down there a time or two this summer.

[RustTown]

Yes, Lansing's Old Town doesn't have wide street, grand avenues, or huge buildings. It really feels like the small, historic village it once was. It was where Lansing began, and you can even see it in how big the old trees are.

BTW, this move will give Old Town another anchor tenant.

[dunveth]

lmichigan --

These are great!

I am so glad there's a demand for quality housing in Downtown Lansing.

Are the other amenities available (shopping, entertainment, restaurants, etc.)?

dhl

[RustTown]

Not yet. Downtown Lansing is in the beginning of it's rebirth. But a few upscale restaurants have set up downtown, and a few eclectic businesses.

It seems as if every housing project going on in downtown also includes retail, so it's all coming down the pipeline, finally.

[RustTown]

Update: 7-3-2005

1. Ranney Building (last used by Famous Taco)/208 S. Washington Sq. built in 1890

2. Marshall Music Building/402 S. Washington Sq. built in 1920.

3. Printer's Row Condominium Townhomes: to begin later this month. The Kerr House is also part of this project and is being renovated to include more office space.

4. Sparrow Hospital Expansion: 4 floors, can be expanded by 7 floors.

5. 1114 S. Washington Ave. - this loft project in REO Town just south and adjacent to downtown Lansing, will inculde 14 lofts, with ground floor retail. The building was completely gutted and expanded. It is an old Ford dealership built in 1925.

(side of the building)

[dnast]

Wow, the Famous Taco building barely resembles is recent former self. Even though it takes an aquired taste, that facade did a good job of hiding the fact that the building is 100+ years old.

BTW, what's behind the name "Printer's Row"? It sounds like there's some history behind it. I like the fact that they're improving the Kerr building along with with the townhomes. You don't always need brick or stone to have a nice building.

[RustTown]

Printer's Row is loosely connected to the development for the simple fact that the Lansing State Journal is just a block or two north up Grand. Actually, if you look to the far left and in the background you can see the corner of the ugly, modern headquarters for the newspaper. The historic building still stands quite a few blocks further up Grand. Other than there, there is no meaning for the name.

[RustTown]

Update on Prudden Place Apartments development (7/17/2005):

Prudden Factory still awaiting more funds before proceeding with the renovation already taking place

View of downtown for those that live at the south end of the site.

Riverfront Towers (senior citizen high-rise) viewed from the site

And the name from which these two developments owe their name: The old Prudden Motor Wheels Factory smokestack.

[bobliocatt]

Great thread. I never realized so much redevelopment was taking place in Lansing. Is anything new going on in East Lansing?

[RustTown]

Not much is going on in downtown East Lansing, though the annexed suburban areas to the north are booming. Downtown East Lansing is actually going through a slump right now.

[hood]

These are the two buildings they had to tear down to make way for their new parking lot. The Prudden Factory itself was abandoned and extremely dilapidated before it's rennovation in 1999. There were also several abandoned factories in the land between the Prudden factory and Oakland St. These two buildings burnt in 1999 and were razed in late 2004.

Building to the East.

Building to the West.

[hood]

Not much is going on in downtown East Lansing, though the annexed suburban areas to the north are booming.  Downtown East Lansing is actually going through a slump right now.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Actually there are two major proposed develpments in East Lansing, City Center II, 750,000 Sq. Ft. mixed-use develpment and East Village 2,463,000 sq. ft. multiple phase, mixed-use development

To view the City Center Project go to: City Center II

To view the East Village Development go to (They are both pdf files): East Village 1 or East Village 2

[RustTown]

But, they are both in their planning phases, and will be a few years off.

BTW, another update. The rest of the On the Grand Condominiums started construction this week in Old Town. I think it will add another 20+ rowhomes to the land facing Turner and behind.

Go check it out. Also, the Cherry Hill Townhomes to be constructed on South Grand near 496 got approval this week to start. They should break ground either next week, or early August.

[hood]

City Center II is ready to be built, the only variable is the museum portion, if that funding is not approved by the state the developer will either build a hotel or condos. The private portion of the project is supposedly fully funded and ready to go. Any part of East Village could be started at any time.

[RustTown]

East Village will have to be done in phases, and there is still some question as to if they really want to go through condemning Cedar Village. They have many more public hearings and hurdles to jump before they can get it started. Downtown East Lansing will always have it's base, but it's currently not at it's best. The main city is actually still losing a bit of population (according to the census). The only thing from keeping the entire cities population from falling is all of the annexed Bath Township that is being filled with suburban sprawl.

[hood]

Well with the recent Supreme Court ruling concerning eminent domain, it should make development relatively easy. It should just be a matter of time before the first construction/demolition begins. If completed it should be a very impressive development.

I beleive a majority of those new rowhouses will be facing Dodge River Dr. It outta be nice.

[RustTown]

I got a photo today of the construction site today. FINALLY that block of Turner Street will be one solid street front. Now, if only they can demolish that little squat building across the street...These condos are quit popular. As soon as someone moves out they are filled again. I'd really like to see something like those along East Michigan Avenue, or simply filling empty blocks and corners in south downtown.

As for the Supreme Court Decision, Michigan has tougher laws, and it will be quite a time turning them over. Creating East Village is going to be harder than you think. We're not just talking infill, we're talking about leveling and entire neighborhood.

[RustTown]

Here are the photos...

As you can see, for a few years now the rows just ended abrubtly

Excavation began...the river lies deep. The banks of the Grand here are very tall

Showing how abrubtly, once again, the original condos ended

[bobliocatt]

^Do you know how much those condos sell for? They look pretty nice.