A commotion that began in April 2012 is continuing into the summer, as the demolition of the former Michigan State Police Headquarters progresses.
After moving to a new location, 333 S. Grand Ave, in Lansing in 2010, the station, 714 S. Harrison Road, gave the rights to the land to MSU on April 1. Since that time, MSU began working to renovate and demolish the more than 20 buildings that composed the station.
Demolition project designer and police post site construction superintendent Dennis Hansen said the brick buildings closest to Harrison Road will be completely torn down instead of revitalized because of outdated plumbing. Brown pole barns closer to the north side of the property will be renovated and repurposed for MSU Department of Theatre as a scene shop for shows.
“This just worked out well because the pole barns have vertical elevation so they have plenty of working space,” he said.
The barns also will house public safety vehicles for the university.
The overall cost of the demolition will amount to about $3.1 million dollars, with $1.25 million from the state to clean up the surrounding area, and will be completed in mid-August. Time-wise, university engineer Bob Nestle said the construction plans have been right on target.
“It’s going very well,” he said. “It’s right on schedule — no big surprises.”
Although the plans for the space where the former station’s buildings once stood are not yet finalized, Hansen said it most likely will be the site of an overflow parking lot for events, such as basketball and football games.
Michigan State Police spokeswoman Shanon Banner said the station has (adjusted) to life downtown.
“We loved being across from the MSU campus — you couldn’t pick (a) more beautiful location,” she said. “But we have adjusted to being in downtown Lansing with other state employees and being able to walk to great lunch spots.”
Aside from adjusted bus routes, graduate student Justin Browne, who currently lives in a house off of Harrison Road, said he hasn’t noticed major disruptions from the construction and believes extra parking is a good idea.
Nestle said officials intend to recycle about 75 percent of construction remains after the demolition. The Grand Rapids-based company heading the project, Pitsch Companies, plans to salvage materials and enter them in resell markets.
“For altruistic reasons it’s good for the environment and quite frankly it’s also the most cost-effective way to handle these materials,” Nestle said.
Hansen said because the construction will have an effect on the surrounding greenery, after extensive mulching and lawn care, the final product will be completed in the fall — grass and all.
Support student media! Please consider donating to The State News and help fund the future of journalism.
