A local landlord is looking to construct condominium-style apartments on the 300 block of Evergreen Avenue — located north of the intersection of Grand River and Michigan avenues.
Gregory Spiridakos, who owns rental homes at 334, 340 and 344 Evergreen Avenue, said he's going before the East Lansing City Council tonight to see if city officials are interested in approving an overhaul of the area.
"We are in the process to think about what we can do," he said.
At this point in the project planning, it's unclear whether students or young professionals would be recruited to live in the new development, Spiridakos said.
The homes, which are located in one of the city's historic areas, are old and costly to repair, Spiridakos said. And the new development would fit with the city's vision to redevelop the area for the City Center II project, he added.
The City Center II project calls for the construction of a building about 10 stories tall at the intersection of Abbott Road and Grand River Avenue. The former Citizens Bank on the corner of the intersection also would be demolished for the project.
The City Council will meet at 7 p.m. tonight in the East Lansing City Hall, 410 Abbott Road.
Even if the project meets all of the city's specifications, it must be approved by East Lansing's Historic District Commission.
"These homes have been designated in the historic district," said Ron Springer, the city's historic preservation officer.
"It's a pretty area — it's one of the oldest in East Lansing."
Although a majority of the older, historic homes in the area are student rentals, they are well maintained and shouldn't be demolished, Springer said, adding that he couldn't recall a case where a home was demolished to make room for new housing.
"You see very few houses that get to the point where you go, 'Wow, this has to come down,'" he said.
"I cannot recall any being demolished in the historic district."
Loren Wernette, a crop and soil sciences sophomore who lives on Evergreen Avenue, said students tend to like living in newer apartments because it's less of a hassle.
"New apartments would probably be more in the price range of students," he said. "Historic homes tend to be higher and have higher heating costs as well. But I know people who like to live in houses too."
