The East Lansing City Council will discuss a project at its Tuesday meeting that will redesign the Fountain Square at the intersection of M.A.C. and Albert avenues.
City officials expect the project will begin this summer.
The city council is likely to approve a $27,230 contract with HNTB Michigan Inc., 333 Albert Ave., an engineering firm located next to the project, for design, construction drawings and construction observation services.
Plans for the project redevelop the Fountain Square by creating a stage-like area, which city officials hope will increase visibility from the street. New landscaping, lighting and street furniture also will be installed with a new fountain.
The new fountain is being designed to replace the current one that leaks, said Jim vanRavensway, the city’s director of planning and community development.
He said the fountain will probably be relocated to a more northern point in the square to improve its visibility and effect.
“It’s leaking down below, taking out 10 or 12 parking spaces in the parking garage,” vanRavensway said. “Right now, it’s just problematic. We just think that it’s time to change it all so it’s more of a functional space.”
Because the project is a partnership between the city, the Marriott hotel at University Place, 300 M.A.C. Ave., and the University Place Condominiums, the city will probably pay for about half of the project.
City officials say the construction would go on at the same time with work on the M.A.C. Plaza, which is planned for redevelopment. The area also may include a children’s sculpture garden.
City Manager Ted Staton said the engineering firm will be able to provide unique ideas with design expertise and concepts for the space because they see it every day.
“I think it’s come together in a very unique way this time,” Staton said. “The physical condition of the plaza has deteriorated where some of the bricks have been removed. It has needed repair.”
Councilmember Sam Singh said the redevelopment of the Fountain Square is another part of “Envision East Lansing,” a project to add amenities to the city like the clocktower, sidewalk improvements and benches.
“We try to put forward the challenge that these are areas we want to see redeveloped,” Singh said. “It’s something we’ve wanted to spend some time on to fix that area up. We’ve taken a strong look at our downtown to really develop and make the downtown more functional, as well as appealing.”
