The Virginia Avenue project took a major step forward when the East Lansing City Council approved three contracts for the project at its meeting Tuesday night.
New City Property
The city now is first in line to purchase 642 Virginia Ave.
When the city purchases the lot, it will own the 80 percent of the land on the avenue's 600 block. Then, the East Lansing Planning Commission will review a final site plan for the project at its July 25 meeting.
The city must buy the property by Aug. 31, or it will go on sale to the public. The council approved a contract to buy the home for $210,000.
Demolition
The council also approved a contract with MCS Excavating to demolish homes at 619, 643 and 648 Virginia Ave., as well as two properties on the avenue's northeast corner, to make way for the project.
All five homes are owned by the city, and demolition is scheduled to begin within 15 days.
Mixed reaction
Mayberry Homes will build 30 homes and condominiums along both sides of the 600 block of Virginia Avenue. The new homes will be occupied by families and will not be used for rentals, according to the contract City Council approved Tuesday.
While city officials are excited about the new development's community impact, some students aren't too thrilled.
"It's a little distressing they're so adamant about getting college kids out of the area," said Amy Helm, a 2007 MSU alumna who lives on Virginia Avenue.
"East Lansing is a college town, that's why East Lansing is here," said Kyle Morse, a 2007 MSU alumnus. Morse lives in a home that will eventually be demolished by the city to make way for the project.
"If they try to push us off campus, where do they want us to go - on campus? Well, there's not enough housing on campus," Morse said.
Stephanie Gingerich, an East Lansing community development analyst, said the city's intent is not to drive out students but to improve the community.
Gingerich said permanent residents have seen how their neighborhoods have changed and have complained about the number of rental properties in East Lansing neighborhoods.
"Blocks did not use to be all rentals," she said. "These neighborhoods were not designed for the density."
