Council to discuss taxicabs, Sec. of State consolidation

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East Lansing City Council members are expected to discuss several topics at their Tuesday work session, including the location of taxicabs in the city, a resolution about the proposed closing of the downtown East Lansing Secretary of State branch office and the CATA/Michigan Avenue project. The work session is scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday at City Hall, 410 Abbot Road.

Taxicab Moratorium

Council members are expected to extend the moratorium on new taxicab licenses another 90 days until Feb. 1, East Lansing City Clerk Nicole Evans said.

The moratorium originally was enacted Aug. 25, because of concerns about taxicab-related traffic congestion in East Lansing.

Evans said although a proposed taxicab coalition was supposed to work with the council
and Evans, it never came to fruition.

The city has sent letters to all the restaurants that serve liquor and has asked for their assistance in redirecting their customers to other locations, she said.

Evans said she is waiting on more feedback to help the city decide what to do next. The location for taxicab stands has been moved to M.A.C. Avenue from Albert Avenue as another method of reducing congestion.

Secretary of State closure

East Lansing City Councilmember Nathan Triplett said he will introduce a resolution opposing the closure of the downtown East Lansing Secretary of State branch office at 400 Albert Ave.

“Last week, without consulting the proper legislators or the city, (Michigan Secretary of State Terry Lynn Land) announced her intention to close the downtown East Lansing and downtown Lansing branches and consolidate at a currently undetermined location,” Triplett said.

The resolution would be an expression of the council’s position and would be sent to the Secretary of State with the hope it would convince her to keep the branch open, he said.

Kelly Chesney, spokeswoman for the Secretary of State, has said the measure will save money and that transactions at the East Lansing branch have decreased by 30 percent since 2002.

Triplett said he thinks the proposed benefits are outweighed by the negative consequences.

“The consolidation results in annual savings of only $2,200,” Triplett said. “Right now, students can walk from campus and take care of their business like vehicle and voting registration. If the location is moved, it will create hardships for students.”

CATA/Michigan Avenue project

Council members will receive a presentation by East Lansing Community and Economic Development Administrator Lori Mullins updating them on a potential Michigan Avenue corridor project.

The project is aimed at improving transportation along Michigan Avenue, and the Capital Area Transportation Authority, or CATA, is spearheading a study to determine what improvements could be made.

“The reason (Route 1) route was chosen was the high number of ridership,” Mullins said. “A need had been identified to improve the transit.”

Mullins said the study is expected to conclude next summer, after which options to improve the corridor will be explored.

“There are a few different options,” she said. “Potentially, there could be an actual street car or light rail transit.”

Staff writer Kate Jacobson contributed to this report.

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