Let me begin by describing the project in question. The City Center II project includes a new 120-room boutique hotel, a 400-seat performing arts theater managed by the Wharton Center, new upscale restaurants, office space and a variety of residential units planned for a 5.46-acre area of land on the west end of downtown East Lansing. The redevelopment will be anchored by a 10-story building on the corner of Grand River Avenue and Abbot Road, which will house the hotel, theater, restaurants and more.

The approval of the City Center II site plan was the result of one of the most thoroughly vetted processes in East Lansing history. Not only was it approved unanimously by the East Lansing City Council earlier this year, but eight citizen boards and commissions recommended the project either unanimously or by super majority. Eighty-five citizen volunteer appointees on these boards and commissions studied the project carefully and listened to public testimony in more than 40 public hearings and meetings about the project.

With all of this public support, a special election referendum would not only be frivolous, but would cost East Lansing taxpayers approximately $30,000.

City Center II will create hundreds of construction and permanent jobs and infuse millions into the Mid-Michigan economy. It will create a thriving atmosphere around Valley Court Park and will offer new entertainment and dining venues to downtown visitors.

If the referendum were to be successful, it is my opinion that no business developer “worth his salt” would consider doing business in East Lansing for many years to come, regardless of the nature of the project. Therefore, no growth — period.

Who would expend precious economic and human resources working with city staff and going through all the various boards, commissions, public meetings and hearings to gain approval from the sitting elected body only to — at that last minute — have that body’s decision overturned? All of those precious resources for naught and well after the last leg of the approval process.

I have spent my entire professional career as a lender, lending administrator and now a developer, and I would not develop nor lend into that uncertainty. I would suggest that my borrower take their resources to a more development-friendly community — one where you knew who the decision-makers were going to be long before that final decision was made.

Petitioners can say anything they want to obtain signatures. They will bend and stretch the facts — and worse. We already have seen these tactics employed during the City Center II vetting process, when opponents of the project spread untruths about tax increases and eminent domain when, in fact, taxpayers will not be burdened by this project and eminent domain was never used.

If approached, seek the facts before simply signing to get the petitioner off your porch. Check out the City Center II page on the city Web site, www.cityofeastlansing.com, or address your questions to the East Lansing City Council. We were elected to serve the community and are more than happy to address any concerns or questions residents may have about this project.

Our approach to representative democracy and our local economy depend upon the informed decisions of our community members here in East Lansing. All we can ask is that you be informed before signing a petition that could ultimately lead to unnecessary spending of taxpayer dollars and a freezing effect on future development and economic prosperity in our city.

Vic Loomis is the mayor of the city of East Lansing. Reach him at vloomis@cityofeastlansing.com.