East Lansing community leaders are responsibly beginning to look to the past to lead the city to its future.
We hope the ideas are the start to a process that will prevent the city from becoming another example of urban sprawl.
A panel consisting of members from the East Lansing Planning Commission, historical society and MSU’s undergraduate government offered a forecast of the city’s future at the Historical Society’s meeting last weekend.
The biggest challenge city officials might have to face as they plan East Lansing’s future is finding a way to prevent urban sprawl despite an added 2,300 acres of land through land-share agreements during the past four years.
A car-free Grand River Avenue, more apartments and homes for rent, and neighborhood unity were among the top ideas discussed as city leaders looked to the year 2025. But how can they make that happen as the city grows?
Historical Society member Marc Thomas said the panel is attempting to “target the course of the future” by looking to the past for ideas.
City Councilmember Beverly Baten suggested the topic after finding an article from 1955 predicting the future of East Lansing in 100 years.
An updated city master plan produced by East Lansing officials would help determine land use and zoning for newer sections of the city. Kevin Beard, chairman of city planning commission, said the master plan was last revised in 1982.
It might be wise for city officials to take and interest in MSU’s vision for the future while they think of what East Lansing will look like in the future.
In January 2001, MSU’s 2020 Vision plan was approved by the MSU Board of Trustees. The plan provides principles to guide future growth and new zoning ordinances for academic, resident, athletics and other campus areas. It also intends to conserve land resources, extend open space and increase park-like areas on campus, south of the Red Cedar River.
East Lansing officials could use this plan as a tool to help improve East Lansing’s dynamics along with the largest contributor to is economy.
The updated comprehensive plan for future developments should be in tune with the changing force of the city of East Lansing.
For one thing, Northern Tier developments are already increasing traffic along Abbott and Chandler roads. By 2025, the four apartment complexes in the area will likely have turned into a fully developed surrounding area impacting all of East Lansing.
These are good ideas that could change face of East Lansing. The historical society’s meeting is a good start in redefining the city’s master plan.
Realistically, Grand River Avenue will probably not be void of cars anytime soon, but the idea is a good place to start when planning future traffic flow.
While it is important to look to and plan for the future of East Lansing, the future of MSU students in this city should be considered as well.
