As August quickly approaches, East Lansing City Council discussed precinct boundary lines and the Park District development project, with both having an impact on students when the school year arrives.
The council discussed Tuesday night possible modifications to precinct boundary lines and polling locations. In an effort to improve efficiency and avoid confusion, students who live south of Grand River Avenue will now vote on campus, and students residing north of Grand River Avenue will vote off campus.
“In terms of messaging, accessibility, distance and proximity, we really feel like this is a good thing for the students,” East Lansing City Clerk Marie McKenna said.
Previously, students living in the Mason, Abbot and Snyder Phillips Hall had to walk more than a mile to the People’s Church, 200 W. Grand River Ave., to get to their polling location. East Lansing Mayor Pro Tem Nathan Triplett said also pointed out those living in North Neighborhood had a long walk to vote at the Hannah Community center, 819 Abbot Road.
Now, Precinct 12, or the northwest campus, polling location will be at the MSU Union, Precinct 13 and 14, or the north and southeast campus, polling locations will be in IM-Sports West.
Relocating the voting locations out of the dormitories will increase ease of access and also ensure security for students, McKenna said.
Triplett said he received positive feedback from campus groups, such as the MSU College Democrats and MSU College Republicans, about the forthcoming change.
“If we want to implement this, we need time to send out all the notices in the fall,” Triplett said. “If we wait, there’s just adequate time to do the notices required by the law.”
Triplett spoke highly of the changes, explaining the long treks to vote would be eliminated for students living on campus, encouraging greater student involvement.
Discussion also took place on a pre-development agreement and staff’s recommendation for the selection of a private development partner for the Park District project.
The pre-development agreement is a contract between City Council, Downtown Development Authority and the possible developer, about public charrettes, project uses, conceptual plans, site plan submissions, financing and private land control.
DTN Management Co. was selected by the East Lansing City as staff’s recommendation to City Council. East Lansing Senior Project Manager Lori Mullins explained DTN bodes well because of its sufficient access to capital, positive track record of developing in East Lansing and experience in a wide variety of projects.
City Council will make the final decision on the approval of the precinct lines and the selection of a preferred developer – between DTN Management Co. and Lurvey White Ventures – at its Aug. 6 meeting.
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