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Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund Board Approves $219,000 Grant for Bailey Park Project
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The Michigan Department of Natural Resources’ Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund (MNRTF) Board recently approved a $219,000 grant application from the City of East Lansing for a future improvement project at Bailey Park.
Pending approval from the Michigan Legislature, the MNRTF grant funds will be appropriated next year and will be matched with $35,000 in Community Development Block Grant funds, $25,000 contributed by the Capital Area Housing Partnership and $16,700 raised by the Bailey Community Association.
The Bailey Community Association has partnered with the City of East Lansing to assist in developing the concept for this project and to help in making the project a reality by raising matching community funds. A Park Project Fundraising Team made up of Bailey Community Association board members has met regularly since earlier this year and has worked hard to solicit donations from neighborhood residents and local community groups, including the Kiwanis Club of East Lansing ($1,600 donation), the East Lansing Basketball Club ($1,000 donation) and the East Lansing Soccer Club ($500 donation).
“The Bailey Community Association is excited to work with the City of East Lansing on this important neighborhood project and we appreciate the City’s leadership and support,” said Chuck Overbey, a Bailey Community Association board member and a member of the Park Project Fundraising Team. “We are pleased with the community financial contributions that helped bring this project to reality. Based on the collective efforts of the City and residents, improvements to the Bailey Park will transform this former school yard into a welcoming and engaging gathering place for neighborhood activities and events.”
Key park improvements will include:
- Removing the existing fence and sidewalk surrounding the parking and constructing a 10-foot concrete pathway loop
- Constructing a concrete plaza with a shade structure, picnic tables and benches to serve as a social area for park visitors
- Installing a new play structure for 2- to 5-year-old children
- Replacing the engineered wood fiber surface material beneath the existing play structure for 5- to 12-year-old children and installing a poured-in-place pathway to an accessible swing
- Installing a drinking fountain near the social area and a decorative archway designating the main pedestrian entrance into the park
- Installing pollinator friendly landscape beds with interpretive signs to serve as demonstration gardens for using natural landscaping techniques in a suburban setting
Assuming the MNRTF grant funds are appropriated, the Bailey Park improvement project is expected to begin by no later than spring 2020.
“We appreciate the continued support of the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund in helping us to make park improvements that will be enjoyed by community members for many years to come,” said East Lansing Parks, Recreation & Arts Tim McCaffrey. “This Bailey Park project has been particularly rewarding because of our close partnership with the neighborhood and their enthusiasm for making it a reality. We are looking forward to seeing this project come to fruition in the coming years."
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City Seeks Applicants for 2019 East Lansing Emerging Leaders Program
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The City of East Lansing is currently accepting applications for its 2019 East Lansing Emerging Leaders Program. The application, available online at www.cityofeastlansing.com/emergingleaders, must be submitted by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, January 30, 2019 for consideration.
The East Lansing Emerging Leaders Program is an eight-week course in civic engagement designed to build tomorrow’s leaders today. The program was first offered in 2007 and, since that time, six groups of Emerging Leaders have graduated from the program.
Participants of the 2019 program will hone leadership and public service skills by learning about a variety of course topics taught by a range of local business, community and government leaders. Many past graduates have gone on to serve as active members of neighborhood associations, City boards and commissions and even the East Lansing City Council.
“The East Lansing Emerging Leaders Program provides opportunities for citizens to learn more about their local government and prepare themselves to become more civically engaged in the community they call home,” said Assistant to the City Manager Eilis Seide. “We encourage all interested community members to submit an application for the 2019 program.”
All applicants must be East Lansing residents (either homeowner or renter) and must be 18 years of age or older. Applicants cannot be running for, or currently serving in, an elected office. There is no cost for the program; however, participants will be expected to commit their time, including regular Thursday evening sessions. Interested community members can learn more at www.cityofeastlansing.com/emergingleaders.
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City Officials Expected to Place Land Sale Authorization on Upcoming Ballot
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The City of East Lansing recently purchased 27 acres of vacant land off of West Road to protect a special assessment that is owed to the City. City officials plan to seek voter approval to sell the land for future redevelopment in the hopes to recover all costs.
The previous owner of the land was in tax foreclosure for several years due to unpaid property taxes, including up to $1,225,000 owed to the City for special assessments, property taxes and related interest. As is standard in these types of cases, Clinton County began making the annual payments that were owed to the City when each year’s property tax bill on this land went delinquent. Once the foreclosure was finalized, the County put the land up for sale. If the land were to have been sold to a third party for less than what the County had paid in special assessment costs and taxes to the City over the years, the City would have been required to pay the County back the difference. With that in mind, East Lansing City Council authorized City officials to bid on the property.
The City won the land auction and purchased the property in November 2018 for $444,777.98. The City is also expecting to be required to pay approximately $570,000 back to the County for outstanding taxes and special assessments, resulting in a total investment of approximately $1,015,000. If the City had not purchased the land, the County could have charged back up to $1,225,000, depending on the winning bid for the property, and the City would not have the property.
“By purchasing the property, we have the option of selling the land in the future with a vote of the people, which will allow us to recover the full amount, if not more, that we are owed,” said East Lansing City Manager George Lahanas. “If we did not step in and purchase the property, the special assessment that we are owed would need to be paid back to the County and there would be no future option for recouping our costs.”
City officials are expected to place a proposal on the November 5, 2019 General Election ballot seeking voter authorization of this land sale. The purchased land is bounded by Coleman Road to the north, West Road to the east, US Highway 127 to the west and the north perimeter of the Greenstone Farm Credit Services property to the south.
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Park District Project Mobilization to Begin Next Week
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Mobilization of the Park District Planning Area redevelopment site is expected to begin next week, with sidewalk closures to be put into place for the first phase of the project by as early as Wednesday, Dec. 26.
The initial closures will include:
- A sidewalk closure on the west side of Abbot Road, from Albert Avenue to Grand River Avenue
- A sidewalk closure on the north side of Grand River Avenue, from Evergreen Avenue to Abbot Road
- A sidewalk and road closure on Evergreen Avenue, from Albert Avenue to Grand River Avenue
Pedestrian detours will be in place throughout the duration of these closures.
Community members should also keep in mind that there will be a road closure on Albert Avenue, from Abbot Road to Evergreen Avenue, beginning in summer 2019 for infrastructure improvements (including a much-needed realignment of the roadway).
All local businesses will continue to remain open and accessible to customers during this project. Community members with questions can send an email to construction@cityofeastlansing.com.
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ELFD Partners with Local Business to Give Back this Holiday Season
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The East Lansing Fire Department (ELFD) is continuing a special annual tradition this December by sponsoring two East Lansing families in need over the holidays. ELFD firefighter paramedics will be loading up their fire trucks with holiday gifts and food and making special deliveries to two homes over the upcoming weekend. For more than a decade, the ELFD family has been honored to continue this tradition....giving back to the community they are proud to serve.
ELFD would like to recognize Meade Family Chiropractic Center for their sponsorship of this program over the past two years. The local East Lansing business generously donated $1,000 in 2017 and another $1,000 in 2018. Both this year and last, the staff and clients at the office made a variety of DIY products for patrons to purchase and donated all of the proceeds of those sales to ELFD for the sponsored families. Thank you to all the wonderful people at Meade Family Chiropractic Center!
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Holiday Closures & Collection Changes
City of East Lansing offices will be closed for the upcoming Christmas and New Year's holidays. Community members can learn more about City closures and changes to the recycling/refuse curbside collection schedule here.
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DPW Offers Special Holiday Collections
Community members are reminded that the East Lansing Department of Public Works is, once again, offering extra recycling days, no-fee holiday refuse collection and Christmas tree recycling to residents over the holiday season. Community members can click here for all of the key details and dates.
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