As Lansing resident Steve Costello scanned the vast lot before him, he hoped for the day when the hundreds of cars and shuttle buses that fill the space daily will disappear and the rough gravel will be replaced with the grass that once flourished.
The lot, which is located directly behind Costello's home on Clemens Avenue in Lansing, was acquired by Sparrow Hospital from the Michigan Army National Guard late last year as a temporary parking facility during the construction of a new parking structure.
But with the new structure, 1215 E. Michigan Ave., opening Monday, Costello said it is time that the hospital fulfills its promise to restore the lot back to the grassy field it once was.
"This was crazy to me," he said of the lot located on the corner of East Saginaw and Marshall streets. "One of the reasons I bought this house is because of the field. Now we have an eyesore."
Beyond the aesthetically displeasing qualities of the lot, Costello said that the former field served as a place for neighbors to congregate.
"A lot of people took their dogs out there," he said. "It's also been a gathering spot for the Fourth of July."
Sparrow spokeswoman Lorri Rishar said that the restoration process will be completed by late fall, earlier than the year-end deadline set by Lansing City Council.
"We're already in the process of planning the restoration," she said. "We will return the lot back to its original state."
The almost year-long period since the lot has been in operation has held some interesting developments for the Clemens Avenue community.
Costello said that the destruction of the field has inspired residents to form a group opposing the lot. Some united to file a lawsuit maintaining that city council approval of the lot was unlawful. The lawsuit is pending.
John Mertz, a Clemens Avenue resident and the attorney who filed the suit, said the Lansing City Council broke zoning laws to approve the lot because it values the hospital's wishes over those of Lansing residents.
"Sparrow has never been the bad actor here," he said. "The government's the problem. I think Sparrow got a special deal because the city council treats Sparrow better than the people that live here."
Lansing City Council President Carol Wood said the council did not break any laws by approving the space for Sparrow.
"A private contract was made between Sparrow and the armory to use it for parking area," she said.
Council members granted Sparrow a Special Land Use permit, allowing for a temporary change of zoning, Wood said.
"They were given a limited period of time with several conditions for meeting neighborhood concerns," she said.
But the field might not last long once it is restored.
Lansing School Board spokesman Mark Mayes said the board has been holding negotiations with the Michigan Army National Guard, which could result in the land being used as the new site for Lansing's Pattengill Middle School.
"Negotiations have been very positive," he said. "The people who live on Lansing's east side overwhelmingly prefer that site."
Mertz, though, adamantly feels that the site should be allowed to remain a field.
"The city is eliminating the green space and we don't have these kind of spaces to waste," he said. "You can treat where you live as something that's valuable or you can treat it like a cess pit."
