A development group composed of Lansing and East Lansing entrepreneurs and public officials, as well as Hobbs Black Architects, already has 20 acres of land, but still needs approval from both Lansing and East Lansing to move forward with the project, which would feature public park land and mixed-use developments. The plan was presented to East Lansing City Council on Tuesday, and although 20 acres of the project have been approved by Lansing voters, the project will need to garner enough support this November by Lansing voters to gain an additional 48 acres for development.

If this project is approved by both cities, it could provide MSU with a spectacular, beautiful entrance to campus and the city of East Lansing. The area that will be filled by the proposed project right now is mostly vacant and aesthetically unpleasing to passers-by. If approved by both cities and found to be financially feasible, this project could be a landmark for both East Lansing and Lansing, completely changing the image of the two cities.

But this development comes at a time when many East Lansing residents do not trust the East Lansing City Council with construction projects. The St. Anne Lofts project caused a slew of issues for the city because of a lack of proper oversight and after almost a decade of trying to figure out planning, the City Center II project was found not to be financially feasible for the city.

The developers of the proposed Capital Gateway Project must make it clear with both cities how the project will be funded, and lay out a clear construction and architectural plan in order to gain the approval of city council, as well as the East Lansing population. It is exciting that developers want to invest in East Lansing, providing housing and possibly job opportunities for students and citizens upon its completion, but there must be constant communication between the developers and the city when handling the project, or else many citizens in both Lansing and East Lansing will not support it.

Hopefully, Lansing’s involvement in the project is what will really help move it forward. The more people involved in dealing with this project, the more opportunity for oversight, and the lesser chance for the kinds of mistakes seen in the City Center II and St. Anne Lofts projects. The Capital Gateway Project could provide great opportunities for Lansing, East Lansing and MSU students. But the developers of this project must be 100 percent transparent in how the project will be funded, and how and when it will be completed.