High-density housing trend comes to E.L.

East Lansing and Lansing are both following a national trend of developing high-density urban housing by adding multistory buildings.

“We’ve seen a resurgence of (urban housing) in places like Chicago, Seattle and Portland (Ore.) … and a lot of trends that start on the coasts gradually make their way to the Midwest,” said Tim Dempsey, East Lansing’s community and economic development administrator.

“That trend finally made its way to Mid-Michigan.”

East Lansing has approved the site plan, special use permit and development agreement for City Center II, a 10-story multiuse building that will be on the corner of Grand River Avenue and Abbot Road. Tenants of the building include Hotel Indigo, Naya Bistro & Wine Bar and a performing arts theater.

While East Lansing isn’t as large as some cities adding urban housing, Demspey said he is optimistic about the project’s success.

“I have seen it in communities smaller than East Lansing,” he said. “I think it can succeed in any type of downtown, provided that the downtown that is putting the housing in is attractive – that’s the key.”

Capitol Club Tower is an 18-story multiuse building that is being developed at 225 S. Grand Ave. in Lansing. There will be about 150 condominium units, a high-end restaurant, health club and urban market on the first floor, said Allen Drouare, one of the developers of the project.

The project is currently taking preliminary reservations, and the developers hope to break ground by the end of the year, Drouare said.

Having a development like this in both Lansing and East Lansing provides residents with options, he said.

“Some people want to be really close to the university, (but) other people want to be in close proximity to other cultural events going on in downtown Lansing,” Drouare said. “Everybody has their own personal preference.”

Urban housing is particularly attractive because a vertical, high-density building efficiently saves energy and reduces the cost one would have to spend on commuting, Dempsey said.

Dietetics junior Mary Katz said she was not sure this sort of project could succeed in East Lansing.

“Considering the population is mostly college students, unless they came from a well-off family, they wouldn’t move there,” she said. “And I’m assuming most older people don’t want to move here.”

East Lansing resident Jim Cuddeback said a high-density development may not be something that the city needs.

“We have a lot of rentals in East Lansing already, and the city spent a lot of time making sure those rentals are in good shape, up-to-date and that landlords take good care of them,” he said. “Many of those properties are decently priced.”

However, Dempsey said he thinks developing urban housing near the university will be a huge benefit, as residents can walk to Breslin Center, Wharton Center and Spartan Stadium, and students can enjoy the restaurants in the development.

Published on Thursday, July 24, 2008