Kids in the Hall

TUESDAY, June 3 — Lansing City Council voted 7-1 Monday night to approve alcohol sales at the city’s Hope Soccer Complex at 5801 Aurelius Road in Lansing. 

Under the new ordinance, the sports complex can sell beer, wine and alcohol to be consumed in designated restaurant areas. The ordinance also expanded the beer and wine sales at Groesbeck Golf Course, located at 1600 Ormond St. in Lansing, to include alcohol.

Councilwoman Tina Houghton said she believed opening up alcohol sales at the Hope Complex would produce revenue to fund improvements. “In the future, it’s going to get bigger and better.”

Councilwoman Carol Wood, the lone vote of dissent, said she voted no because she has not heard a strong argument that alcohol sales were necessary to expand Hope’s business model.

Also during the meeting, Council held several public hearings, including one for the Outfield project, a $23.5 million project proposed for the Cooley Law School Stadium. Improvements include the construction of apartments, cosmetic upgrades and a new scoreboard. Under the proposed development project, the city would pay for $10.5 million of the improvements. No public money would be used for the apartments.

During public comment, Lansing Lugnuts owner Tom Dickson assured Council that if they approved the project, the stadium, which originally cost $18 million, would transform into an even bigger attraction for Lansing.

“We’ve got a wonderful asset down the street from us,” he said of the stadium. “You have my personal commitment to continue the good work.”

Council will vote on the Outfield project at their meeting next Monday.

Council also held a public hearing open for anyone who received a snow and ice removal violation from the city this past winter. There were approximately 300 violations handed out this past winter. About 10 residents spoke during public comment to dispute their violations, but there was some confusion among several residents on how they could dispute the violation because Council cannot respond during public comment. Residents who would like to get feedback from the city as they dispute their violations can attend the Committee of Public Service meeting at Lansing City Hall at 11 a.m. Wednesday.