Change of heart

LCC is now offering to sell three downtown homes, each older than 100 years old, it had planned to demolish; still plans to make “park-like” entry on the north side of campus

Posted
Thursday, June 7 — Instead of demolishing three downtown homes — which were built in 1898, 1902 and 1888 — to make way for a “park-like” entry into the north side of Lansing Community College, the college now says it will offer to sell them to anyone interested in preserving them.

LCC announced today it is now “offering to sell for relocation” the three houses, and potential buyers would have 30 days to move them after they’re purchased. The minimum bid on the homes starts at $1. LCC bought the houses on May 24 for a total of $400,000. Even if they are purchased, LCC will go ahead with its plans to build a new entrance on the southwest corner of Capitol Avenue and Saginaw Street.

The houses are located at 211 and 205 W. Saginaw St. and 617 N. Capitol Ave. Preservation experts decried LCC’s initial plans to demolish the houses because they said the homes are historic. Some tenets in 211 W. Saginaw and 617 N. Capitol were upset that they were given notices to vacate the properties after LCC bought them.

205 W. Saginaw, a neo-classical style home built in 1902 on Townsend Street but later moved, is the only property that is unoccupied. It was built by F.N. Arbaugh of downtown Lansing’s Arbaugh Department Store.

Potential buyers can receive copies of the bids by contacting LCC’s Purchasing Department by calling 483-1785 Monday through Friday between 7:30 a.m. and 4 p.m.

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