As Jackson National Life Insurance Company officially announced its occupancy of 333 E. Grand River Ave. last Tuesday, mixed reactions have spawned from East Lansing citizens and MSU students.

East Lansing resident Doug Motley was sad to see Barnes & Noble close, however, he said he was happy to see someone with the caliber of Jackson National move into the building.

“They’re keeping jobs in mid-Michigan,” Motley said. “The fact that they want to invest into East Lansing is fantastic; that will probably bring a lot of businesses into the area.”

Although public officials and citizens are excited for Jackson National moving into downtown, some MSU students do not seem to be as thrilled. To English senior Elizabeth Shalda, Barnes & Noble was a welcomed change to the typical coffee shop; a nice place to go for a cup of coffee and look for books.

“I don’t think that an insurance agency is going to build up our community or help students all that much, as far as growth and supporting (our) education,” Shalda said.

Shalda pointed out despite Jackson National’s partnership with MSU, only a select number of students will benefit in the long run. She said she would have loved to have seen something “a little more practical than an insurance agency,” move into the building.

Sarah Gallagher, an elementary education junior, is pleased the large space will no longer be vacant. However, she was hoping the new tenant was going to be someone not so privatized.

“I was a little disappointed,” Gallagher said. “I was kind of hoping something more inclined for public access would move in, like a movie theater or an after-school tutoring company.”