Development News

Local firm to begin second Michigan Ave. mixed-use development

Mike Dowdle, Wolf Development Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Wolf Development is on a roll in East Lansing. As the local firm is completing an estimated $2.9 million mixed-use project on Michigan Ave. that includes 16 new apartments, they have announced a similar project will soon be underway right next door on the corner of Michigan Ave. and Louis St. on the site of a current BP gas station.

"We really have found East Lansing is a very reasonable place to work," says Mike Dowdle of Wolf Development. "They make clear what they want, and it's a clear, clean communication back and forth."

The four-story, 36,000 square foot development will include 39 residential units, including one and two-bedroom apartments. The first floor will include 1,200 square feet of commercial space for lease.

Dowdle expects construction on the project to begin in July or August of this year and to be completed in July 2014. The exterior will be similar to the neighboring development now underway, with enough variation to keep things interesting, Dowdle says.

Creating an aesthetically pleasing entrance to East Lansing along the region's most development-focused corridor is one of the attractions for Wolf Development to continue investing on Michigan Ave.

"This was a great opportunity, because in the end, between the print shop and the gas station, this was probably the least attractive part of the drive down Michigan Ave.," says Dowdle. "Now, we believe it'll be the most attractive. Everybody wins."

The neighboring development is set to be finished in July. All units have been leased. Dowdle says Wolf Development plans to continue developing in East Lansing in the future.

Source: Mike Dowdle, Wolf Development
Writer: Natalie Burg, Development News Editor

MSU to foster collaboration with $60.8 million Bio Engineering Building

David DeWitt, MSU College of Natural Science Wednesday, April 24, 2013

A new $60.8 million facility that aims to foster collaboration among Engineering, Human Medicine and Natural Science is moving forward on Michigan State University's campus. The new Bio Engineering Facility was approved by the MSU Board of Trustees this month.

"You get a lot of synergy by getting these interdisciplinary groups together," says David DeWitt, associate dean for research for MSU's College of Natural Science. "The sum of the parts is greater than the pieces themselves."

The Bio Engineering Building has been under development for about six years. The four-story, 130,000 square foot facility will include office and open laboratory space. The effort to connect related areas of research together is nothing to MSU, says DeWitt. The college has previously combined bio chemistry and agriculture teams to collaborate on projects that make sense from the lab to farmers' fields.

"I think this is a really good investment," says DeWitt. "It'll be a good opportunity for us to do some new research in translational medicine that will have an effect on people's health."

MSU is awaiting $30 million in funding from the State of Michigan to fund the project. Approval from the state is expected in May, and DeWitt hopes to break ground in late July or early August. Construction is expected to take about two years.

Source: David DeWitt, MSU College of Natural Science
Writer: Natalie Burg, Development News Editor

MODI Gallery offers new option for local artists

Brendan Martin, MODI Art Gallery Wednesday, March 20, 2013

It began with Brendan Martin's desire to find the right place to show his own work, but now into its second show on Michigan Ave., the new MODI Art Gallery has the potential to become much more.

After moving back to the Lansing area where he grew up after living in Philadelphia and studying art in New York, Martin noticed a gap in the local arts scene.

"There are [local galleries] with older, more accomplished artists, and others that sell postcards and jewelry," says Martin. "There isn't a professional environment for young, emerging artists. We wanted to be a tradition style gallery with one show per month."

Together with partner Pat Abood, Martin set about changing that with the 600 square foot space at 605 E. Michigan Ave. A former medical marijuana dispensary, the pair invested some serious time and elbow grease into the storefront to transform it into a gallery, aided by funds raised on Kickstarter.

MODI Gallery opened with a showing of Martin's work on Feb. 1. A second month-long showing is now underway, and artists have expressed interest in showing in April as well. That all depends, says Martin, on how MODI continues to take shape as an organization, as he hopes it will become more of a community project than a proprietorship.

"We want to stay open and be able to let people show there," he says. "We're looking at how we can do that."

Martin is optimistic about MODI's future. He and Abood have already partnered with such organizations as the Arts Council of Greater Lansing and Lansing Art Works.

Source: Brendan Martin, MODI Art Gallery
Writer: Natalie Burg, Development News Editor

Williamston Barbell Club brings powerlifting to 2,800 sq ft Grand River space

Dawn-Marie Joseph, Tom Donnelly's Williamston Barbell Club Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Tom Donnelly's Williamston Barbell Club is a new kind of gym for the area, offering a focus on powerlifting, as well as other workout options such as classes and cardio. The venture is another project from Grace's Place owner Dawn-Marie Joseph and her partners.

The 2,800 square foot facility at 350 W. Grand River Ave. has been under renovation for about three months and is now open for new members. While the gym is a new business for the family, Joseph says they also see the Williamston Barbell Club as a benefit for the community.

"The gym will partly be used for goodwill," she says. "We'll have powerlifting, classes and kids' yoga here. People from LCC and different organizations have gotten in touch with us. We'll do boxing and different competitions."

With vacant land adjacent to the property, the partners have plans to add outdoor activities to their services, such as volleyball and outdoor powerlifting.

The partners have invested about $200,000 into the renovation project, and hope to continue improving the facility, perhaps adding a screened-in workout area facing the Red Cedar River in the future. Tom Donnelly's Williamston Barbell Club currently employs a staff of three, in addition to contracted trainers and the four partners.

"It's a nice thing that my family is really involved," says Joseph. "It's nice that we're in a potion that we can work with our family the way we do."

Source: Dawn-Marie Joseph, Tom Donnelly's Williamston Barbell Club
Writer: Natalie Burg, Development News Editor

Two Men and a Truck to invest $3.9M in facility, add 125 jobs

Randy Shacka, Two Men and a Truck Wednesday, March 06, 2013

With a modest name like Two Men and a Truck, it may be hard to believe that Lansing's homegrown moving company has expanded to 230 locations nationwide. With the announcement of a $3.9 million investment in their local facility and 125 new jobs, the local business is proving their commitment to Lansing, even as they grow far and wide.

"Our franchise system has grown significantly in the past three years and we are running out of space!" says Randy Shacka, president of Two Men and a Truck. "We currently have 80 people working at our corporate office and will need to add additional skill sets to foster this growth."

After purchasing 6.5 acres of land adjacent to their current building on Belle Chase Way, Two Men and a Truck plan to expand their facility by approximately 25,000 square feet, as well as renovating the existing building. The investment will be helped by a Michigan Economic Development Corporation incentive of $355,000 and $5,000 from Delhi Township. Construction is set to begin this summer and continue for eight to ten months.

"Both [the expansion and renivation] will allow us to position our corporate headquarters to sustain and enrich future growth through more space, better technology and creating a world-class work environment for our staff," says Shacka.

The plan to add 125 new jobs is a part of a five-year vision, and is expected to contribute to an overall growth in staff by 7,000 employees nationwide. In addition to physical investments, Two Men and a Truck continues to make investments in their technology and training systems, investing $9.75 million in technology over the past three years, and $300,000 in a full remodel of their training facility in 2011.

Source: Randy Shacka, Two Men and a Truck
Writer: Natalie Burg, Development News Editor

Famous Dave's to open after $1.75M renovation in Holt

Jerrid Heidel, Famous Dave's Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Barbeque lovers have yet another reason to get exciting about the growing restaurant scene in the Lansing area. A Famous Dave's franchise partnership with locations in Grandville, Flint and Saginaw plan to open their next location in Holt.

"Lansing has been on the radar for quite awhile," says Director of Operation for the new Famous Dave's, Jerrid Heidel. "As we're coming out of the recession, we decided it's a good time to take a look around and see what existing properties might be a good buy."

Demolition has already begun at the former Buffalo Southwest Café location on Cedar Street in Holt, and Heidel expects construction to begin very soon. The existing 5,300 square foot building will receive an addition of about 700 additional square feet. Heidel hopes to see doors open on the Famous Dave's on April 22.

"We bring is we bring an BBQ expert culture," says Heidel. "Our meats are brought in raw; we season them, marinate them smoke them. Our pork butt gets smoked anywhere from 10 to 12 hours. "

Famous Dave's will hire between 110 and 120 employees for its opening, and plans to invest $1.75 million in to the renovation and opening of the location. Heidel says the family friendly dining restaurant looks forward to being an active part of the Lansing community.

"We build community involvement teams to be active in the area," says Heidel. "I really love that about our restaurant group. We want to make a difference everywhere we are."

Source: Jerrid Heidel, Famous Dave's
Writer: Natalie Burg, Development News Editor

Zoobie's Old Town Tavern to be revived, create 15 jobs

Wednesday, February 06, 2013

Sam Short and partners Aaron Matthews and Alan Hooper first purchased the long-vacant Zoobie's building in Old Town, it was with an eye on another development project.

"Originally, it was a means to an end," Short says. "We were looking to redevelop the Temple, and Zoobie's had a liquor license that was mobile. We had purchased it with the intention of moving it over."

Instead, that liquor license is staying put and will be a part of the re-opening of the bar under its former name: Zoobie's Old Town Tavern. The 1,500 square foot space is now under renovation, including plans for a new roof.

"We're looking to work with some of the great historic elements of the building," says Short. "It has a great 50s-era feel. We don't want to do anything kitschy, but we want to work some neat 50s design elements into it."

No opening date has yet been set, but Short expects the new Zoobie's to open in late spring or early summer of this year. The bar will feature craft beer and boutiq wine and well made, craft cocktails and will employ approximately 15 workers. No plans are yet made for the second floor, but Short says eventually expanding the bar into a restaurant or developing residential units in the space are possibilities.

Source: Sam Short, Zoobie's Old Town Tavern
Writer Natalie Burg, Development News Editor

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Norplas Industries to invest $75M, create 400 new jobs in Delta Twp

Sara Graham, Lansing Economic Area Partnership Wednesday, January 30, 2013

President of the Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP) Bob Trezise, has called it possibly the largest new manufacturer adding new jobs, and building a new, very large facility in the Lansing region in the last 15 years. With 400 new jobs and plans for $75 million investment in Delta Township, Norplas Industries, Inc. has announced plans to build a new, 350,000 square foot manufacturing facility.

The company is a manufacturing division of Magna Exteriors and Interiors. The new plant will be a state-of-the-art robotic paint line and injection molding, tier one, manufacturing facility. The Michigan Strategic Fund Board approved $2 million in economic incentives for the project. Additional incentives and assistance from Delta Township and LEAP will also be a part of the development.

"We believe this development will have additional spinoff within the automotive sector," says Talent & Communications Director for LEAP, Sara Graham, "and possibly bring additional companies to our area."

In terms of a timeline for the project, Graham says LEAP anticipates construction will begin in late spring or early summer.

"The company has expressed urgency to move the process forward," she says.

Historic Old Town building to receive new life with Michigan Historic Preservation Network

Nancy Finegood, Michigan Historic Preservation Network Wednesday, December 12, 2012

More than 80 years ago, there was a problem in Old Town. While waiting for the train, gentlemen would bide their time in the cigar shop, but there was no place for women and children, who were consequently left waiting outside in the elements. The solution to the issue was the Thelma Joyce Osteen Comfort Station. Now that the building has outlived its original purpose and has been long vacant, the Michigan Historic Preservation Network (MHPN) is the solution for bringing new life into the building.

“We’ve been around for over 35 years, and we thought it was time to do our own rehab project,” says Nancy Finegood, executive director of the MHPN. “We’ve been looking at the building for seven or eight years. It’s a really key landmark building in Old Town.”

The non-profit has been working on the estimated $680,000 project for more than a year now, and is financing the renovation with help from incentives such as the final round of state historic preservation tax credits from the state, a façade grant from the City of Lansing, a grant from the Michigan Architectural Foundation, as well as a $68,177 Community Revitalization Program grant from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.

“We’re doing everything from environmental abatement to installing an elevator,” Finegood says. “We’re building out the offices and we’ll have a new roof – we’re doing everything from nuts to bolts.”

The MHPN will utilize the second floor of the building for their offices, and plans to move in around February of 2013. A commercial tenant is being sought for the 500 square foot space on the first floor.

The increased space will include a conference room that will allow the MHPN to hold board meetings and other events in-house. Already, the organization has hosted a two-week window rehabilitation training in the building.

Port Lansing Global Logistics Center opens in 48,000 sq ft warehouse at Capital Region International

Brent Case, Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce Wednesday, November 07, 2012

The new Port Lansing Global Logistics Center at the Capital Region International Airport celebrated its grand opening just week, but it’s already beginning to spark interest from potential tenants.

“We’ve now have had some conversations with some larger cargo providers,” says Brent Case, Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce vice president for international business services. “It’s not just an idea anymore, there is something concrete there to rally around.”

The 48,000-square foot warehouse was built to create warehouse space to lease to private businesses, encouraging use of the Lansing airport as a logistics hub. The facility is a freight consolidation center, a general purpose foreign trade zone, and an import/export incubator.

“It’ll be individual companies that will be using the space,” says Case. “They’ll bring or create jobs there. Our hope is that we get the building filled up and prove that there is demand for it, and private developers will build the next one.”

$5 million Cottages @ Chandler project to bring student duplexes, six jobs to East Lansing

Bob Schroeder, Mayberry Homes Wednesday, October 24, 2012

A new style of student housing is coming to Chandler Road. The Cottages @ Chandler is a $5 million development now underway that will introduce neighborhood-style living to the student housing market.

“We’re homebuilders, and we had clients coming in and talking about the need for student housing,” says Bob Schroeder, owner of Mayberry Homes. “We did some investigating and saw the need for a cottage-style project, instead of doing apartment style buildings.”

The first phase of the project broke ground about five weeks ago and will include 18 buildings, including duplex houses and garages with second-floor loft living. A total of 100 units will be available. Schroeder anticipates construction will be complete by February or March of 2013.

“We just feel there people will like the privacy and control,” says Schroeder. “Most units will have a back patios, and they’ll all have large front porches. We’ll have the latest Internet feature with one-gigabyte speed to the buildings. We’ll have a nice, upscale, neighborhood feel to the community.”

Though the duplex houses will have a neighborhood-like atmosphere, Mayberry Homes will operate the rental units similar to an apartment community. About six employees will be hired to manage and maintain the units and grounds.

A second, $20 million phase of the development could begin next year and add an additional 170 units.

$300,000 renovation project adds three apartments to Downtown Grand Ledge

Bruce MacDowell, MacDowell's Fireplace Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Downtown Grand Ledge is now the home to three new residential units thanks to the renovation of the MacDowell’s Fireplace building’s upper floor.

“Our building was built in the late 1800s, and the second story has been businesses, residences, offices and such over the years,” says Bruce MacDowell. “It had been vacant since the 1940s.”

The 4,500 square foot story is vacant no longer. The MacDowells partnered with the City of Grand Ledge, the Grand Ledge Downtown Development Authority (DDA) and Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) to complete a $300,000 rental rehabilitation project. The space now contains three, 1,400-square foot, two-bedroom apartments with 12-foot ceilings.

“Along with the significant funds we invested, the MSHDA program and the DDA grant made it all possible,” MacDowell says.

The project began six months ago and was completed in September. Two tenants have already moved into their new apartment and a third will soon occupy the third.

Williams Subaru building new $3M facility, expanding staff by up to eight

Jeff Williams, Williams Subaru Wednesday, September 12, 2012

There’s something big going up on Howard Street in Lansing, and it represents some big growth for the Williams AutoWorld family. The new, 16,833 facility will become the new home for Williams Subaru.

“We started our plans to build last fall,” says Jeff Williams. “It’s a lot of fun, but a lot of work. Everything will be under one roof."

The new building will include a variety of environmentally friendly features, such as LED lighting, hoists powered by compressed water, in-floor heating and greenspace.

The new building will also be home to new faces at Williams Subaru. Four new employees have been added to the staff already this year, and Williams expects another three or four employees to be added by the time the facility opens in early 2013.

The nearly $3 million project is utilizing all local contractors, including D.L. Kesler & Sons.

“They’re doing a fabulous job,” says Williams.

Davenport to invest $10M in downtown expansion, announces Cooley Law partnership

Richard Pappas, Davenport University Wednesday, June 27, 2012

When thinking of higher education in Greater Lansing, one traditionally thinks about the big school on the banks of the Red Cedar. Downtown Lansing, however, is quickly growing into a college hub itself. Not long after Lansing Community College began their expansion, Davenport University announced the purchase of the 55,000 square foot, nine-story Fifth Third Bank building that will house the growing school. The $10 million investment is being made as Davenport expects enrollment to grow from 800 to 2,000 students over the next few years.

“The way the old facility was laid out, it was difficult to do some of the kinds of programs we wanted to do,” says Davenport University President Richard Pappas of the move that will add about 20,000 square feet to the school’s downtown footprint. “We intend to offer some new degree options for students.”

Work on the renovation project scheduled for completion in time for fall of 2013.

Also, a new partnership between the university and Cooley Law School will offer a dual Juris Doctor and MBA degree. The new program will begin this fall on both school’s Lansing campuses.

“This will provide more and more opportunities for student in the Lansing area,” says Pappas. “We’re moving away from associate degrees, and most of our growth has been with master’s programs.”

Mason Library raises $42,000 for renovations

Sheryl Bass, Mason Library Wednesday, June 13, 2012

The Capital Area District Library branch in Mason was faced with a problem. The 1938 building that housed the Mason Library was in dire need of repair, but with local government budgets as tight as they’ve been for many years, Branch Head Sheryl Bass didn’t see any assistance in sight.

“The building had been a little neglected for a number of years,” says Bass. “There was just no money. People need fire and police, so we knew we needed to go out there and get the money ourselves.”

That is exactly what Bass and her staff did. The $42,000 in renovations that was recently completed began with the donation from former library patron Margaret Doolittle upon her death of $10,000. When a Dart Foundation Challenge Grant of $13,000 followed, Bass knew things were headed in the right direction.

After about a year of fundraising and three solid weeks of renovations, the Mason Library reopened on June 4 with new carpeting, furniture, paint, countertops and a refinished circulation desk. The building also received roof repairs, landscaping, windows and energy-efficient lighting.

“It looks like night and day here,” says Bass. “I’m just delighted.”

Judging by the 200 people who came out to celebrate the reopening of the Mason Library on June 4, the community was pretty excited to have their new and improved library back as well.

“It was fun to see the community support,” says Bass. “It’s just a really nice thing that has happened in our community.”

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