Feature: East Village: At Home on the Banks of the Red Cedar
The riverfront property next to campus could become an ideal community for alumni and fans of Michigan State.
Imagine living in a neighborhood that combines the excitement of the city with tranquil views of the Red Cedar River and the Sanford Natural Area. A neighborhood where you can hear the MSU marching band practicing the fight song in the distance, smell coffee from a nearby cafe, and be surrounded by the energy of your neighbors going to and from work, class, boutiques, restaurants, a fitness center, and the park.
Sound appealing? This vision may soon become reality in East Lansing where a new urban village is being designed to create an exciting environment for active living at all ages.
Plans are underway to convert a familiar piece of property just east of the MSU campus into a new, vibrant, highly attractive, and livable urban-like area that exemplifies the idea of a “cool” city. This area will be known as “East Village.”
East Village will be located on 30 acres of land immediately east of MSU, between Grand River Avenue and the Red Cedar River. This land is now home to the “Cedar Village” apartments, as well as a number of other student rental apartments and houses. The East Village project is a collaborative effort by Michigan State University, the City of East Lansing, private developers and area property owners.
The primary goal of the East Village project is to convert this area into a new, planned, urban-like, mixed-use neighborhood. The East Village will appeal to faculty, students, alumni and others in the community by providing a unique environment that mixes housing, offices, shopping, and entertainment convenient to both the MSU campus and the City of East Lansing. The East Village architectural and functional design will reflect those of the University, making a seamless transition from “gown” to “town.”
The lifestyle of those who choose tolive and work in this riverfront community will be enhanced by access to MSU’s intellectual opportunities, as well as the cultural offerings in the University’s new Fine Arts District, which will lie directly across Bogue Street from the East Village.
The East Village area and its accessibility to the rich life of the campus is an ideal location for Michigan State University alumni and retired faculty. Private developers have found that a strong market exists with alumni who wish to live near their alma mater and retired faculty who wish to continue with their research and maintain ties to the campus. Across the nation there are many examples of private developers marketing housing options to alumni and retirees to create living opportunities that feature easy access to the cultural life, intellectual activities and athletic events of the campus. The East Village area and its accessibility to campus is an ideal location for such a Michigan State University alumni community.
Housing is planned for a diverse mix of residents to include students, retirees and professionals, as well as alumni. A mix of owner-occupied and rental housing will be available in condominiums and lofts with modern conveniences and walkable access to jobs, shopping, recreation and dining. A highlight of the area will be riverside condominiums with views of the pristine Sanford Natural Area and trail access to regional destinations.
The demand for housing in a setting like this is intense. Newly hired faculty from other parts of the country enjoy the vitality of East Lansing, but often express a wish to live in a more “urban” setting. Retired faculty and staff, no longer wanting the work involved in suburban home ownership, long to live near the campus so they can continue to utilize the cultural and educational offerings of the university. The area will be a magnet to young professionals, empty nesters and students in MSU’s graduate and professional programs who long to live and work in a vibrant, energetic area which embraces diversity.
In addition to housing, retail establishments will be located on the ground floor of every building, creating a truly urban environment. The area will be enhanced by development of a hotel, restaurants and other entertainment options which will add to vibrancy and liveliness of the area. The area is designed for medium to high densities, with a walkable pedestrian-oriented urban development pattern. Parking will be restricted to underground or parking decks, with the exception of small numbers of on-street, short term parking spaces. The East Village will have a more connected street network to enhance walkability and provide east-west links and to accommodate transit and bicycle use.
Creation of this planned neighborhood will bring new opportunities for capital improvements that will provide assets for the entire region. The plans include a community park and riverfront trail that will connect to regional trails, parks and a variety of other amenities. A park-like outdoor plaza is included in the preliminary designs which will provide attractive locations for outdoor dining and festivals. In addition, the project will provide public access to the riverfront with a boat basin designed to attract waterfront dining, housing and retail centers. Functional and aesthetic improvements are also planned for East Grand River Avenue, with enhancement of Bogue Street as a major entrance to the University.
Initial plans for this project are underway. An amendment to the City of East Lansing’s master plan which reflects the design and zoning changes needed for this development has been sent to the Planning Commission, with final action expected soon. The City of East Lansing has designated a private developer, the East Village Spartans, LLC, as the master developer of the project. This company will begin to work with property owners in the area to develop plans for various phases of the project.
The East Village promises to be a unique area attractive to all ages. It will be a place for alumni and friends to gather, a place where young and old want to live and work in the shadow of the university.
For further information on the plan, please look on the City of East Lansing’s website www.cityofeastlansing.com.
Steve Webster is Vice President of Governmental Affairs at MSU, and is working closely with the City of East Lansing on the East Village project
