Professor of construction management and Urban Form Steering Committee member Tim Mrozowski looks over a poster board created by the planning commission on Nov. 4, 2013, in the Ballroom of the Marriott on M.A.C Avenue. The meeting took place as part of East Lansing’s comprehensive plan review. Olivia Dimmer/ The State News
—A committee of consultants working on East Lansing’s Comprehensive Plan update met with the public and officials on Monday evening to display potential future developments ?involving main attractions across the city.
A few of the suggested changes included ?re-engagement with the Red Cedar River to make the walk more pleasant, larger senior community housing and increase in parking options.
The future development plans were created through feedback from residents at last month’s weeklong charrette event.
East Lansing urban planner Lynee Wells said the committee has chosen to initiate a 25-year plan on certain study areas. The areas, or nodes, include the area north of Saginaw ?Avenue, between Saginaw Avenue and Grand River Avenue, and south of Grand River Avenue.
“We’re specifically looking at redevelopment and infill opportunities within these key nodes in the community,” Wells said.
Wells plays a key role in how the environmental aspects of the nodes will be redeveloped in the future.
“We call that the public realm so that’s the area between buildings, so your (streets) … bike lanes, the roadway, all of those spaces where people tend to gather and use,” Wells said.
One characteristic of the community that the public has expressed interest in further improvement is the MSU greek life homes heavily ?populated on M.A.C. Ave. and Abbott Road.
“One of the things I’ve talked to several people about, hopefully we’re going to get some input, is how do we accommodate the greek system and where have they been throughout this process,” said Tim Schmitt, community development analyst. “It’s something that they seem to be growing a lot, given the amount of people that have talked to us about it.”
In a presentation, Wells also commented on the potential for buildings to be pushed closer to the roads on the north of Saginaw Avenue by Maru Sushi.
The group’s hope is that some parking will be available on-street to benefit retailers in the surrounding area.
Implementation of upcoming cityscape designs discussed at the meeting won’t be observable to residents until at least April 2015, Schmitt said.
Dietetics senior Emily Hazel attended the event in addition to last month’s charrette, looking to give her thoughts on the future of the city.
Hazel said students should be aware of the potential changes the city could make to the landscape of East Lansing.
“I’m very interested in ?figuring out the direction East Lansing is taking,” Hazel said. “It’s important to be an informed citizen and to be able to give input when the city is asking for it.”
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