The East Lansing City Council likely will vote whether to approve a site plan that would convert the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity house, 128 Collingwood Drive, into high-end apartments during its 7:30 p.m. Tuesday meeting at City Hall, 410 Abbot Road.
Lambda Chi Alpha Properties, which owns the home, and developer Dale Inman of Troy, Mich., have both signed a contract with intent to sell the home, said Michael Smith, chairman of the board with Lambda Chi Alpha Properties Inc. City officials said they recognize there are few other options for the fraternity and its members to relocate, but the council ultimately must deal with the application before them.
“There are two very separate issues here,” Councilmember Nathan Triplett said. “There’s the personal opinions and emotional side of things and then there’s what is legally allowable under the laws of the state of Michigan.”
The site plan would maintain the historic building’s structural integrity, as per city ordinance in the historic district. This ordinance would force the addition to be made to the rear of the building, where it would not be visible from the street. Internally, the house would be renovated and include 15 three and four bedroom apartments on the home’s four floors.
Councilmember Kevin Beard said regardless of whether the council agrees with the proposed redevelopment, it cannot legally deny the site plan to buy more time for the fraternity to work out an arrangement.
Dan Shupe, president of the MSU chapter of Lambda Chi Alpha, said two chapter alumni have the funds to purchase the home for $550,000, which was the price last offered to the local fraternity in October 2008. Shupe said officials with Lambda Chi Alpha Properties Inc. recently told him they could not back out of a purchasing agreement with Inman and partner Michael Dowdle.
Smith said nobody from the local fraternity or local housing corporation contacted him with information about alumni buyers.
“I have not heard from the local house corporation in some period of time,” he said.
Despite Smith’s claims, Shupe said communication has been ongoing with Lambda Chi Alpha Properties Inc.
“We have been in constant contact or attempted contact with them,” he said. “They know we have people willing to purchase, however they told us they’re not willing to work with us.”
Cheers to Valley Court
Valley Court Park might join Patriarche Park as the city’s only parks to allow beer and wine consumption through permit if the council approves such a measure Tuesday.
Beard said such permits would not be awarded to people such as football tailgaters. Permits would be a supplement to larger city festivals and events to incorporate Michigan wineries and microbreweries.
“Rather than guzzling mass quantities, you would have a chance to imbibe in something new and taste something new,” he said.
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