Letter to the editor: East Lansing parking lot sales

On the Nov. 4 East Lansing City ballot, voters can authorize the City to sell three small surface parking lots located on the west side of the downtown area. A “yes” vote on the ballot allows the City to sell the property for fair market value to a private developer for use in an approved, mixed-use development. A “yes” vote does not require the City to sell the property, it only permits a sale.

People opposing the sale of the property have focused their arguments on what happened in the past with property located at the corner of Abbot Road and Grand River Avenue. That property is privately owned and is not a part of the development proposed for the city parking lots.

A local developer, DTN Management, is now interested in developing the property for construction of an office building, a parking structure wrapped in apartments and a building for residents 55 and older who enjoy active urban living close to the University. This proposal presents the opportunity to transform the utilization of property to the west of Abbot Road in a way that will foster a diverse, walkable community.

DTN Management was selected by the City to develop the Park District, an area of downtown East Lansing that includes the city-owned parking lots, as well as property belonging to the Downtown Development Authority. DTN has held meetings for public input and has worked with East Lansing planning staff to formulate a dynamic and workable proposal for the area.

It is important that East Lansing residents vote to allow the City to sell the parking lots, so that the development of the office building, parking, apartments and new downtown housing for residents 55 and older can go forward. If the ballot proposal fails, the earliest date for development will be delayed until after the November 2015 election.

Once the City Council is authorized to sell the land, we can move forward with due diligence through the public review process, which includes public hearings conducted by the necessary East Lansing citizen commissions, before approval by the East Lansing City Council. This process protects the interests of the City and results in a development agreement that will benefit the City and its residents.

Sincerely,

Kathleen Boyle

East Lansing City Councilmember