After delaying to acquire property for Virginia Avenue through the use of eminent domain, the East Lansing City Council will revisit the issue at its work session today.
The council also will consider the cost of several city developments and repair projects valued at more than $3 million.
The meeting will take place at 7 p.m. in Conference Room A of East Lansing City Hall, 410 Abbot Road.
Virginia Avenue
The council will examine the option of using eminent domain to acquire about 20 feet of property behind 607 Virginia Ave., for the construction of an alleyway.
The alleyway would lead to parking for homes along the 600 block of Virginia Avenue. The project calls for the demolition of rental housing with the replacement of 16 single family homes and 14 townhouses.
If the council chooses to move forward with the resolution, it would be the first step in using eminent domain, a law allowing municipalities to acquire property needed for public use, said Dennis McGinty, East Lansing’s city attorney.
At a public hearing last week, council members decided to put off a decision on the project until more information regarding the details of the project were available.
Bonds
The city is attempting to use $3.2 million in bonds to finance city projects, including a $1 million bond for the redevelopment of the 600 block of Virginia Avenue. An additional $300,000 in bonds for improvements to office space for high-tech, research and development firms and $1.9 million for improvements to city buildings, including a new roof for the East Lansing Public Library, 950 Abbot Road, also will be considered.
If the council approves the bonds, residents have 45 days to protest the decision, said Mary Haskell, East Lansing’s finance director.
After that 45-day period, the council would finalize approval of the bonds.
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