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An Update on Major Development Projects in East Lansing

Major development projects continue to move along in and around downtown East Lansing, with the Center City District and The Hub projects nearing completion and the Park District project well underway. Here are some key updates on these three major projects.

Center City District
The Center City District project is on track, with the Target small-format store expected to be open in late July and occupancy of The Landmark on Grand River expected in August. The Newman Lofts building, which fronts Albert Avenue, is targeted for occupancy in October and announced retail on Albert Avenue is moving along, with plans being worked on for Jolly Pumpkin and targeted late summer opening dates for Foster Coffee Company and Barrio Tacos. Additional business announcements are expected soon. The surrounding infrastructure work for the project is also moving along, with new sidewalks installed on Grand River Avenue and sidewalks currently being poured on Albert Avenue. Additional enhancements to the sidewalk areas will include decorative pavers, street lights, planter boxes, new trees, seating, new bike racks, landscaping and more. Work in the alley between the two buildings is also moving along and is expected to be completed by the end of June. The alley work will bring vitally important underground infrastructure improvements to the area, which will benefit the existing businesses nearby.

Park District
The Park District project is well underway, with the mixed-use building (apartments and retail space) at the corner of Grand River Avenue and Abbot Road going vertical and underground work currently being completed for the adjacent Graduate Hotels building. In the coming weeks, Albert Avenue will be closed to traffic from Abbot Road to the entrance of the Dublin Square parking lot at Evergreen Avenue (Abbot/Albert lot) for the realignment of Albert Avenue. This closure is expected to remain in place until next summer, when the first phase of the project (the buildings on Grand River Avenue) are completed. Once there is occupancy of the hotel and apartment buildings, the developers will have one year to begin the second phase of the project; construction of a residential building for affordable rental apartments at 341-345 Evergreen Ave.

The Hub
Completion and occupancy for The Hub redevelopment project, located at the corner of Grand River Avenue and Bogue Street, is expected in August of this year. Crews have made significant progress on the façade of the building and are working to finish the apartments on the interior and the new sidewalks that front Grand River Avenue. Georgio’s Pizza and 7-Eleven will be moving into the retail portion of this project and there are two to three additional spaces up for lease on the ground level.

Stay Updated and Support Downtown Businesses
To receive regular updates on these construction projects, visit https://www.eastlansingbuzz.org/ and sign up for e-blasts and text alerts. And, don’t forget to continue to support your favorite downtown East Lansing businesses! All businesses remain accessible and there are plenty of parking locations in the downtown. Several downtown businesses also offer validated parking for their customers and parking is FREE on Sundays (except during some special events).

Summer Solstice Jazz Festival to Take Place June 21-22 in Downtown East Lansing

The 2019 Summer Solstice Jazz Festival (SSJF) will bring local, regional and national jazz acts to the heart of downtown East Lansing for a two-day festival that is not to be missed. This year’s festival will take place Friday, June 21 from 4-11 p.m. and Saturday, June 22 from 2:30-11 p.m. The festival layout will be the same as last year, with the Founders’ Stage located in the Bailey Parking Lot, 139 Bailey St., and the Education Stage located adjacent to the Albert-Division intersection.

This year’s Friday night headliner is Jane Bunnett & Maqueque, an all-female sextet known for their Afro-Cuban jazz. Jane Bunnett is a three-time Grammy nominee and five-time Juno Award winner who partnered five years ago with Maqueque - an ensemble of five, all-star female Cuban musicians. Together, they bring the soul of Cuba to the hearts of music lovers and have become one of the top groups in the North American jazz scene. The Saturday night headliner is Straight Ahead, an all-female quartet of Grammy-nominated recording artists from Detroit, Mich. Widely recognized for their eclectic and soulful approach to creating music, the Straight Ahead sound ranges from mainstream jazz R&B ballads to avant-garde and Brazilian funk. Their live performances are a dynamic celebration of power and joy.

Other 2019 Founders’ Stage performers include the Randy Gelispie Organ Ensemble, Etienne Charles, Maureen Choi, Xavier Davis Quartet with Regina Carter and the Rodney Whitaker Sextet. The 2019 Education Stage performers include the Stanley Ruvinov Quartet, Jordyn Davis, Tim Blackmon & Tissa Khosla, Jeff Shoup Quartet, 496 West, JAMM, Margherita Fava Quartet, Brandon Rose, The Becoming Quintet, Max Colley and Root Doctor. The complete schedule of performances can be found here. The performer bios can be found here.

In addition to live music, there will be on-site food trucks, children’s activities and other fun programming for community members of all ages. Community members can learn more about the festival at www.eljazzfest.com. The SSJF is presented by the City of East Lansing and Michigan State University College of Music, with artistic direction by Rodney Whitaker. Major sponsors of this year’s festival include the MSU Office of the Provost, Greg Hill & Lois Mummaw and the MSU Federal Credit Union.

Volunteers Needed
Volunteers are always needed and greatly appreciated! Those interested in lending a hand can call (517) 319-6888, email hsurfac@cityofeastlansing.com or sign up online. All volunteers will receive a t-shirt, meal and access to VIP seating and the green room.

Local Girl Scouts Partner with Environmental Stewardship Program on Park Project

A hard-working group of fifth grade girls with Girl Scout Troop 30119 recently received their Bronze Award for a special, years-in-the-making community project they completed in partnership with the City of East Lansing’s Environmental Stewardship Program.

The girls made bee boxes when they were in third grade and, just this past Monday, those bee boxes were installed at Henry Fine Park with a small gold placard recognizing their troop. Their project also included the removal of more than 1,000 pounds of garlic mustard (an invasive plant species) and the planting of new trees and native plant species in Henry Fine Park. Additionally, the girls made native seed bombs and sold them to raise $500 for the park project and, for the education piece of their project, they gave a presentation to their fellow classmates at Marble Elementary School on invasive plant species and the importance of pollinators. If that weren’t enough, the girls also planted native plant species around their school for Marble Beautification Day.

“It’s been really exciting to see girls that are just as comfortable being in nature as they are wearing sparkly shoes and twirly dresses,” said East Lansing Environmental Stewardship Coordinator Heather Surface. “It has been so meaningful to work with this troop and teach the girls about how to be great environmental stewards for their community.”

The Girl Scout Bronze Award is the highest honor that a Girl Scout Junior can achieve, and it requires 20 hours’ worth of work for each girl.

“The girls have been very excited and worked very hard throughout each step of this project,” said Troop Leader Katie Fletcher. “I am very proud of the way they worked together to achieve their goal of receiving their Bronze Award. The troop would like to thank Heather Surface and Claire Dion of the City of East Lansing for all their work helping the girls with this project. We look forward to continuing our partnership with them on healthy parks programs in the future.”

On-Street Parking Regulation Changes

In an effort to improve vehicular travel safety and accommodate City operations on narrow streets, a pilot program will be implemented this month, resulting in changes to on-street parking regulations on designated East Lansing streets. Learn more.

Aquatic Center, Farmers Market Now Open

The 2019 seasons have kicked off at the East Lansing Family Aquatic Center, 6400 Abbot Road, and East Lansing Farmers Market! The Aquatic Center's 2019 season will run through Sept. 2 and the market will be open every Sunday through the end of October from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. in Valley Court Park, 280 Valley Court.

Mayors' Ramadan Unity Dinner is June 12

East Lansing Mayor Mark Meadows and Lansing Mayor Andy Schor will be hosting the 13th Annual Mayors’ Ramadan Unity Dinner on Wednesday, June 12 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Lansing Center, 333 E. Michigan Ave. Community members are invited to be a part of this special event, which serves to celebrate diversity and fight hunger in our local community. Ticket and sponsorship information is available here.