The East Lansing City Council will discuss alley improvements and an application for a grant to buy a building downtown Tuesday.

Carolyn Bennett, East Lansing community and economic development administrator, said the department is asking city council to approve an application from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation to receive a grant to purchase a building in downtown East Lansing.

“It is to start City Center Two,” Bennett said. “The money is designated for redevelopment projects.”

The current City Center project is a $30 million redevelopment to the downtown.

Councilmember Sam Singh said the council wants to be able to use all the tools available to it to increase the diverse population downtown.

“This application would allow us the opportunity to purchase office buildings to diversify the mix downtown,” he said.

The council will also discuss alley improvements in the 300 block of Grand River Avenue and be asked to approve the construction contract.

Lori VanOmmeren, urban designer for the city, said the improvements are an extension of the Urban Design Plan that was already done on the 100 and 200 blocks.

The plan includes decorative paving, decorative lighting, seating and planting with a cost of $159,000.

“We are just carrying that same theme down through the 300 block,” VanOmmeren said. “We are doing it in conjunction with the City Center so once it is done everything will fit together and look great.”