Investment : Development News

Michigan State Police employees are scheduled to move into the new, $45 million police headquarters in February.

The 148,000 square foot building is ready, but the Michigan State Police are organizing the move, which will uproot employees from three other locations.

“This building was built for the employees so there’s not a whole lot of room for expansion,” says Shanon Banner, spokeswoman for the State Police. “This is a newer building and will allow them to reconfigure much more easily.”

The existing Michigan State Police headquarters is in East Lansing near the Breslin Center on the Michigan State University (MSU) campus. Employees are also located in the Hollister building and in a building on Collins Road. Shanon says the structural division of some of the buildings makes employee interaction difficult.

“There was a desire to have an office for the Michigan State Police in Lansing,” she says about the decision to build in Downtown Lansing. The new building is on the corner of Grand Avenue and Kalamazoo.

Source: Shanon Banner, State Police

Writer: Ivy Hughes 

All Photographs © Dave Trumpie

After 21 years in an office suite, the Mayotte Group architectural firm has moved to a 5,000 square foot, stand-alone building in Delta Township.

“This is just a larger overall space and gives us more meeting space,” says Nicki Badgero, designer with the Mayotte Group.

The 5,000 square foot space is substantially larger than the group's former 3,700 square foot space and includes a basement.

“We’ll also be able to bring our archivals over,” Badgero says about Mayotte’s substantial reference materials.

The move keeps the Mayotte Group near one of its largest clients,  Delta Township's Auto Owners Insurance. 

The Mayotte Group has 11 employees. While the group isn’t currently hiring, Badgero says future growth is possible.

“We’re busy now and it’s hard to say, but there’s potential,” she says.

The new address is 6240 W. Mount Hope.

Source: Nicki Badgero, Mayotte Group

Writer: Ivy Hughes

“When I started the company I wanted the name to include ‘sports’ because I knew we’d want to expand beyond bicycles,” says O’Connor.

Now O’Connor has the space to grow. He recently moved his business to 221. S. Bridge St., a 9,000 square foot space that's a significant increase from the 2,000 square feet of floor space he had at his former location nearby. The new facility also allows for plenty of storage space.

O’Conner started his business selling bicycles, but now sells snowboards, snowshoes, climbing gear, kayaks and other athletic equipment.

“Anything that people do in Grand Ledge, I’m going to do it here,” he says.

O’Connor has been selling bikes since the 1990s. He also repairs bikes and sells a significant amount of merchandise on eBay.

“I really wanted to stay local here in Grand Ledge,” he says about keeping his business in the region.

Source: Sean O’Connor, Grand Ledge Cycle & Sports

Writer: Ivy Hughes

Not long ago, Teusdae Bradley moved from Phoenix, Ariz. to Michigan, a climatically shocking experience for a West Coaster, and one she accepted gracefully. When she couldn’t find a job in the city, she again rolled with the punches and opened her own smoking specialty shop in Old Town.

“All of my savings were going out the window so I decided to take a risk at this,” Bradley says of Blown, the Old Town specialty smoke shop she launched in the fall of 2009. Blown is located at 523 E. Grand River Ave.

While living in Arizona, Bradley worked for one of the largest specialty smoke shops in the country and when she moved to Michigan, she felt she had enough training and knowledge to open her own store.

“It’s important to me to show the art in glass blowing,” says Bradley of the beautiful pieces displayed in her store.

Bradley supports local artists as much as possible, including showing their work in her sizeable stock, which includes other glass products such as wine glasses, decanters and pendants as well as discs for disc golf. She also works with other Old Town businesses and even had the Golden Harvest cater her grand opening.

“We felt to be secure, the first step was to integrate with the local community,” she says. “That’s been pretty good so far.”

Blown also hosts events to expose the public to local artists and musicians by bringing in live and local DJs on a scheduled basis. 

Source: Teusdae Bradley, Blown

Writer: Ivy Hughes 

All Photographs © Dave Trumpie

It’s been less than six months since Michigan State University (MSU) students David Spitzer, Adam Root and Joseph Brummitt launched Spartanicity, but they’re already rolling out another new venture.

The three recently received nonprofit status for Student Solutions, a nonprofit designed to offset the rising cost of higher education. Student Solutions will provide $1,000 tuition scholarships and $500 textbook scholarships for qualified Michigan students.

“We wanted to do something where we could help MSU students because the Promise Scholarship got cut and the economy is so bad and tuition got raised. So we thought a nonprofit that gave money to students would be good,” Spitzer says.

Students Solutions scholarships are available to students attending public and private Michigan-based colleges and universities. Students will have to apply for the scholarships and the first round of scholarships will be awarded in the summer 2010 or fall 2010 semester.

So far, the Student Solutions team has raised $10,000 in scholarship funding.

“I think our first-year goal is $40,000, and the second year is $100,000,” Spitzer says about fundraising goals.

David Spitzer, Adam Root and Joseph Brummitt launched Spartanicity, a product delivery service for MSU students in the fall.

“Spartanicity is doing really well,” Spitzer says. “We just started delivering text books for the student book store.”

Brummitt is a recent MSU graduate. Spitzer and Root graduate this spring.

Source: David Spitzer, Student Solutions

Writer: Ivy Hughes

Downtown Lansing dining staple Restaurant Mediteran is adding additional seating, a room for private parties and a European deli to its existing 333 Washington Sq. location.

Restaurant Mediteran is expanding into the former 1,200 square feet Contemporary Shoe Repair location. The shoe shop has moved from 337S. Washington to 109 W. Kalamazoo.

“We’re already working on cleaning up the space and basically have the drawings,” says Restaurant Mediteran's Igor Jurkovic. “We’re planning to finish everything in March.”

Jurkovic is completely renovating the former shoe store, adding additional dining space and a European deli that will serve fresh meat and quick meals for busy Downtown customers.

“Basically everything has to be totally redone and restored,” he says. “That space hasn’t been updated in the last 20 years so everything has to be taken out.”

Jurkovic estimates the additional dining space will increase business by approximately 15-20 percent.

Restaurant Mediteran has been in Downtown Lansing for five years.

Source: Igor Jurkovic, Restaurant Mediteran

Ivy Hughes is the managing editor of Capital Gains and can be reached here. 

All Photographs © Dave Trumpie

Ready to take recreational advantage of Michigan's resources and existing outdoor activities, Kevin Karpinski launched Okemos-based Green Planet Extreme Adventure Tours, an adventure tour company focused on fun, sustainability and community service.

Green Planet Extreme Adventure Tours focuses on transportation and guide services, taking adventurers to their destination, finding guides for adventurers and picking them up when the adventure finishes. Adventures could include snowshoeing, back packing, cycling, water tours and brewery tours, to name a few. These tours are being created throughout the state.

Green Planet Extreme Adventure Tours was launched in February 2009, but will have its official grand opening in the spring or summer.

“Within the last couple of months the state came up with adventure tourism to attract entrepreneurs and in the meantime, we’ve launched our business and website,” he says.

Karpinski also gives a portion of proceeds from the tours to varying community groups. For example, a portion of the proceeds for the upcoming Lansing-based water tour (Feb. 6) will go to the Grand Learning Network.

Karpinski says he’s working with local developers to find a permanent location for his offices, but adds that he may be able to operate the company from his Okemos office for some time.

“We want to make this the heart of Michigan in Lansing,” he says. “We were born and bread in Michigan and we’re pretty excited about this.”

He also has locations in Ludington and wants to add kiosk locations throughout the state.

Source: Kevin Karpinski, Green Planet Extreme AdventureTours

Ivy Hughes is the managing editor of Capital Gains and can be reached here.

The 11,000 square foot Lansing City Market is open to the public, nearly full and ready to welcome a springtime, waterfront restaurant.

“We had an absolutely incredibly turn out for our soft launch,” says City Market Manager John Hooper of the Jan. 9 event.

Hooper says 1,500 to 2,000 people showed up Jan. 9 to celebrate the opening and the 22 vendors located in the market. Hooper says he only has space for one more vendor and is locking in a deal with the Williamston-based RiverHouse Inn owners to open a restaurant in the space.

“They’ll have designated seating inside and outside,” Hooper says. “Maybe 500 square feet outside and 800 square feet inside.”

The 11,000 square foot market includes 7,000 square feet of indoor space and 3,000 to 4,000 square feet of outdoor space. Several vendors are seasonal and only utilize the market in the summer, fall and winter.

Hooper says the January opening is “just the beginning.” Landscaping needs to be added to the market and Hooper hopes that in a year, the market will also include a mezzanine level.

The former market is being demolished. Developer Pat Gillespie plans to build condos on the demolished site.

The market’s grand opening is tentatively scheduled for April 24. Project costs total $1.59 million.

Source: John Hooper, Lansing City Market

Ivy Hughes is the managing editor of Capital Gains and can be reached here.

Ever on the move, Sweetie-licious' Linda Hundt is ready to expand her business by building out her central kitchen.

The Dewitt bakery has been recognized locally and nationally for producing outstanding pies, but is growing so quickly its existing kitchen cannot meet demand.

“We’ve definitely profited this year,” Hundt says. “I’ve added two more people and we have one shop and we don’t have enough space for storage or enough space to do mail orders.”

Hundt is deciding between two locations for the build-out and is talking with a few Hollywood production companies about starting a reality show.

“It’s exciting and I feel really good about it, but I don’t know what will happen,” she says about the show. “I’m not in a big hurry.”

Hundt has 20 employees and hopes to have the central bakery ready for production in February.

Source: Linda Hundt, Sweetie-licious

Ivy Hughes is the managing editor of Capital Gains and can be reached here. 

All Photographs © Dave Trumpie

To better serve the medical needs of Eaton Rapids area residents, the Eaton Rapids Medical Center opened the new Riverside Family Practice at 2487 S. Michigan Rd.

The practice officially opened in June 2009, but is experiencing sizeable growth.

“We’re very busy and it happened a lot faster than we anticipated,” says Nancy Staffeld, vice president of Patient Services for the Eaton Rapids Medical Center.

Staffeld is hopeful that the medical center will earn a rural health clinic designation, which would allow Riverside Family Practice physicians to receive greater reimbursement for serving Medicaid and Medicare patients, giving these patients greater access to health care.

The Riverside Family Practice is a family practice, but also offers internal medicine and pediatric care. The new practice has three exam room as well as lab services.

Source: Nancy Staffeld, Eaton Rapids Medical Center

Ivy Hughes is the managing editor of Capital Gains and can be reached here.

The 450 square foot Carol’s Arts & Crafts paper making shop has added a new artistic element to Eaton Rapids.

The shop is owned by Carol Gooder, a retiree who started making cards and paper crafts 10-15 years ago.

“I had been making cards with some friends from church, and about four years ago saw stores begin to close locally, and when the economy started to nose dive, folks had to drive distances for card-making,” she says.

Gooder decided to keep local crafting options open and started her company as a vendor in the Junk Fairy.

“I couldn’t really grow any more there so I made a move,”she says. “That move didn’t really work out so I opened the doors to the shop I have now.”

Gooder also offers in-store scrap booking and card making classes.

“It has been holding its own,” says Gooder. “We haven’t grown tremendously, but folks are excited that the store’s there.”

Carol’s Arts & Crafts is located at 109 S. Main St.

Source: Carol Gooder, Carol’s Arts & Crafts

Ivy Hughes is the managing editor of Capital Gains and can be reached here.

The Accident Fund is tearing down the North Grand Ramp Extension over Grand Avenue in Downtown Lansing as part of its $182 million redevelopment of the Ottawa Power Station.

The ramp sits on the east side of the street and blocks what will be the entrance to the Accident Fund’s new headquarters. The one-way Grand Avenue will also open up into a two-way street.

“Taking the ramp down really opens up the face of the new building,” says Matt Haran, director of corporate communications for the Accident Fund. “The ramp is about 20 to 30 feet from the power station, and this allows you to see the building. With the ramp, it would be totally blocked.”

The tear-down comes on the heels of the completion of riverfront restoration and redevelopment on the site.

“We will definitely have some LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification, we’re just not sure what level,” Haran says.

The Accident Fund continues exploring additional parking options for staff. Accident Fund employees are expected to move into the renovated building in April 2011.

Source: Matthew Haran, Accident Fund

Ivy Hughes is the managing editor of Capital Gains and can be reached here.

Rendering courtesy of Accident Fund

Michigan State University’s (MSU) chemistry building has received Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification. This is the first MSU building to receive LEED certification.

The $18.8 million laboratory renovation was completed in 2007 and included 15,000 square feet of additional research space. Some of the green components that helped the university obtain LEED certification for the chemistry building include recycled green glass in the flooring; low flow fixtures in the restrooms; demand ventilation; drip irrigation; recycling stations in the hall; and motion sensors for classroom lights.

The building received a silver LEED certification. The energy efficient building will likely save the university 25 percent in energy costs compared to a standard building of its size.

“MSU is saving money by voluntarily participating in the rating system, while also being environmentally responsible,” says Bob Nestle, university engineer for MSU’s Physical Plant. 

Six other MSU buildings are in the LEED certification registration process. They include the Secchia Center, the MSU Surplus Store and Recycling Center, the Kellogg Biological Station dairy barn, Brody Hall, the life sciences building and the Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum.

“This was truly a team effort and started with the schematic design and goal in mind,” says Lynda Boomer, MSU’s energy and environmental engineer.

Source: MSU

Ivy Hughes is the managing editor of Capital Gains and can be reached here.

The Kincaid Henry Building Group is putting the finishing touches on the 20,000 square foot Old Town Medical Arts Center in Old Town Lansing.

“We’ve done a lot larger projects than this, but this definitely has been the most complex,” says Ryan Henry with the Kincaid Henry Building Group.

The former Cedar Street School hasn’t been occupied since the 1980s and underwent a complete renovation.

Though some of the original elements of the building remain intact, the rest of the building embraces green building standards. The carpet is recycled, the lights include sensors to reduce waste, the drywall is made from 95 percent recycled materials and the exterior walls have spray foam insulation.

The basement also includes a 1,200 gallon rainwater collection system, which will save about 65,000 to 75,000 gallons of water a year. The system recycles and chlorinates rainwater so it can be used for non-potable sources such as toilets.

“This is the most progressive green project we’ve ever been involved with,” Henry says. The Kincaid Building Group is seeking Gold LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification on this project.

While the 5,000 square feet on the first floor of the building is available for occupancy, the second and third floors of the building are occupied. The third floor is a fitness facility that’s open to the public. The second floor is home to the medical practices of Carla Guggenheim,an internist and doctor of osteopathic medicine, and Gail Shafer-Crane, an occupational therapist.

“The Old Town Medical Arts Center is a great addition to Old Town,” says Brittney Hoszkiw with the Old Town Commercial Association. “The building is a great landmark for both Old Town and the City of Lansing.  The work and vision that Gail and Kincaid Henry Building Group put into it has brought this historic building to life with a great new business.”

The grand opening of the new Old Town Medial Arts Center, which is located at 1106 N. Cedar St., starts at 10 a.m., Wednesday, June 3.

Source: Ryan Henry, Kincaid Henry Building Group

Ivy Hughes is the managing editor of Capital Gains and can be reached here. 

All Photographs © Dave Trumpie

Peckham just received Silver LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification for its 191,000 square foot Old Town Lansing facility.

The community rehabilitation organization opened its new 191,000 square foot headquarters in March, but received the certification in September.

“We built the idea that you can minimize your carbon footprint into our facility,” says Peckham President Mitchell Tomlinson.

The building has low-flow water fixtures, was constructed using more than 30 percent recycled material and includes a more than 6,300 square foot green roof. 98 percent of the building's workspace, including factory workspace, has natural light.

The  additional 191,000 square feet was added to the existing 140,000 square foot warehouse.

“We call it the Green House,” Tomlinson says about the building. “We named it that because we put a lot of effort into making it feel natural and green.”

The building certainly does feel natural and green. The open floor plan is inviting and the exposure to natural light is invigorating, even on cloudy days.

Peckham is a nonprofit organization that offers more than 30 different programs and services in community employment, facility-based employment and job-readiness programs for those with disabilities. It also offers youth services and life skills for area high school students.

Aside from adding green components to the building, Peckham also constructed an indoor waiting space for its workforce that uses public transportation. The sidewalks are also heated, an effort to prevent falls during the winter.

“We are trying to create a safe environment for people to work in,” he says.

Source: Bonnie Zimmerman, Peckham

Ivy Hughes is the managing editor of Capital Gains and can be reached here.