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New E.L. apartment complex opens doors on Aug. 1

July 30, 2013
	<p>Indianapolis resident Jon Gillaspy takes plastic off a chair on July 29, 2013, at 550 Michigan Ave., in Lansing. To take the plastic off the chairs took about six hours. Weston Brooks/The State News</p>

Indianapolis resident Jon Gillaspy takes plastic off a chair on July 29, 2013, at 550 Michigan Ave., in Lansing. To take the plastic off the chairs took about six hours. Weston Brooks/The State News

Photo by Weston Brooks | The State News

As the 2013-14 school year lingers on the horizon, DTN Management Co. is preparing to open one of East Lansing’s newest student housing establishments.

550 Michigan — no catchy apartment names here — is set to open its doors Aug. 1 as construction and inspections wrap up this week, Wolf River Development Company managing partner Mike Dowdle said.

And they’re not quite done building new properties just yet.

Dowdle said his company will start developing a new student housing project in the location currently home to BP gas station, 504 Michigan Ave. Leases for two-bedroom and studio apartments will be available for the 2014-15 school year. Wolf River has approval from the city of East Lansing and will begin demolition sometime before the end of August.

East Lansing Planning and Community Development Director Tim Dempsey said that Wolf River was required by the state of Michigan to complete an environmental site assessment prior to demolition. Because of the nature of the site, the developer had to complete a more detailed, phase two assessment that involved sampling to make sure the property is contamination-free.

“There’s some pretty stringent state requirements on sites like this,” Dempsey said. “(Wolf River) met the residential criteria level, which is the highest standard under state law.”

Dowdle said 550 Michigan will feature a more upscale feel, with granite countertops and “nice finishes.”

He said the two-level architecture makes the space unique, with the bedroom and bathrooms on the second level and laundry room, living room and option of a half bathroom on the first level. About half of the apartments will have the two-level framework, he said.

The apartments feature four-bedroom, two-bath plans ranging from $589 to $694 and 1044 to 1196 square feet.

“We’re very happy with our experience here in East Lansing so far,” Dowdle said. “We’ve gotten real good response to our buildings.”

Wolf River also was the developer for the 128 Collingwood apartments.

Two years in the dorms was enough for supply chain management junior Jamie Zelinski. Zelinski said she and three of her friends are excited to move into the new apartments and be right across the street from campus and in close proximity to Grand River Avenue.

“If we really like it, I’m sure we will sign again for the next year,” Zelinski said.

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