Fewer parking spots and apartments are among the changes that could be made to the proposed development between Abbot Road and Grand River Avenue.
East Lansing and Strathmore Development Co. have proposed reducing the size of the City Center II parking garage by about 100 spaces, adding underground parking, offering 16 fewer apartment spaces and adding a hotel in place of condominiums. The development has been a point of tension for some property owners in the area.
The proposed alterations will be on display at 7 p.m. tonight at the Hannah Community Center, 819 Abbot Road. Those in attendance will have a chance to provide feedback.
The $117 million development includes a mix of residential and retail space that would remake the area.
For the project to be completed, rental properties along the 300 block of Evergreen Avenue would need to be demolished and replaced by a parking garage. Reducing the parking ramp’s size would spare the demolition of 404 Evergreen Ave.
If the project is approved, three rental properties along the 300 block of Evergreen Avenue still would be demolished to build the parking garage.
That includes two houses, 340 and 344 Evergreen Ave., which are owned by Gregory Spiridakos.
Spiridakos said he hasn’t reached an agreement with the city to sell his properties.
“We are trying to negotiate, but we don’t have anything yet,” he said.
East Lansing Mayor Vic Loomis said the changes reflect conversations the city has had with residents and the developer.
“The developer has been listening to the recommendations of city staff, City Council and residents,” Loomis said. “You’re going to be seeing some feedback from the community discussions that took place at that first meeting.”
The proposed changes were welcomed news to Matt Hagan, who owns the spared apartment building.
“I’m ecstatic,” Hagan said. “I think the project caused a bit of a community uproar.”
Telecommunication, information studies and media senior Matt Bills, who lives in an apartment at 404 Evergreen Ave., said although he expects to graduate in May, having student housing close to campus for future students is important.
Bills said he has been able to walk to campus while living on Evergreen Avenue and has avoided the hassle of parking tickets that many student drivers face.
“The location works out great,” he said. “I know a lot of people have to drive to class.”
But the proposed changes aren’t concrete yet considering the project’s developer has to examine whether the changes are feasible.
Scott Chappelle, president of Strathmore Development Co., said determining whether the financial resources are available for the project could be a lengthy process.
“These are things we will determine throughout the planning process,” he said.
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