Preliminary design concepts for the redevelopment of Virginia Avenue's 600 block were on display to the public Tuesday to update local residents on the status of the project.

Avondale Square, also known as the Virginia Avenue project, calls for the demolition of 23 homes along the avenue's 600 block to make way for new ones, replacing many student rentals with housing for permanent residents.

The meeting updated the public on the project's status, with a proposed development plan, updates on upcoming construction, project timelines and information on new units.

"Hopefully, we've thought of all possible issues," said Tim Dempsey, East Lansing's community and economic development administrator. "If an issue is raised before it goes to the planning commission, we will work with the planning commission to address those concerns."

Development Plan

In its current form, the project would replace the avenue's homes with 30 single-family homes.

The plan calls for two buildings with three condominium units to be built at the north end of the block.

The south end of Virginia Avenue, which intersects with Snyder Road, would have two buildings with four condominium units in each. The remaining 16 homes would be marketed toward families.

While the pricing of the new homes hasn't been specified, Jim van Ravensway, East Lansing's planning and community development director, said attached homes could cost about $160,000, and four bedroom homes could cost about $275,000.

While the city has not acquired every property along the block, Ravensway said acquiring the homes is a matter of time.

"I believe we can reach an agreement to acquire these properties," he said.

Construction and Timelines

No dates for construction have been established, but demolition of five properties most likely will begin in the first week of August, said Stephanie Gingerich, an East Lansing community development analyst.

A final sight plan will be submitted to the East Lansing Planning Commission at its next meeting, July 25 at City Hall, 410 Abbott Road.

If approved by the planning commission, the designs for Avondale Square may be approved at the City Council's Sept. 25 meeting.

Resident Response

Long-time resident Jim Cuddeback had concerns of bottle collectors prowling the proposed alleys, which would be built behind the new homes for garage access. He wanted to be sure East Lansing police officers, not officers from the city's Parking and Code Enforcement, would patrol the alleys.

"My questions were honest questions, and I think they honestly tried to answer them," he said.

Dan O'Connell has lived on Lexington Avenue for 20 years and is concerned about parking problems that may be created by the project.

Before the meeting, he was concerned that putting more homes on a street where parking is a problem would make the situation worse.

After learning the sight plan would create 120 parking spaces, with two in a garage and two in the driveway, O'Connell wasn't sure it was enough.

"They seem to think that out of the 30 homes, nobody will have more than two visitors," he said.