Keeping up with the Joneses might take on a different meaning in Lansing.

The Cohousing Development Co. purchased 23.8 acres at 3721 Aurelius Road in Lansing, which will be made into Meadowood Cohousing, the first cohousing neighborhood in Lansing. Cohousing allows for greater cooperation between neighbors living in a small community.

The development company has already developed the Great Oak and Honey Creek cohousing neighborhoods in Michigan.

Nick Meima formed the development company after hearing about interested participants for the community.

“We expect construction to begin next fall,” he said. “We are going to start the design process this January.”

As of now only 10 to 12 households have signed up to move into the community. Meima said once construction is completed, 75 percent of the homes should be purchased.

The area will consist of nine to 12 buildings with four homes per building designed in a town house style, with one building known as the common house.

Meima said residents will have the option to enjoy shared meals with neighbors in the common house. He said the building will have a meeting room, recreational facilities and offices.

He said the design allows for preserving space.

Lansing city Councilmember Larry Meyer said he liked the idea because of its strong community support.

“It is unique, it is inventive for what is basically a burnt-out urban community,” he said.

Gene Townsend said he plans on joining the neighborhood.

“The emphasis is on consensus decision making in the community,” he said. “The thing that distinguishes cohousing is it starts with the community and that community goes about finding a way to build an attractive, safe place to live.”