East Lansing City Council Meeting wrap-up

Community members spoke at the East Lansing City Council meeting last Tuesday expressing concerns about a proposed sports bar and office space as part of the community subsidized City Center II project.  

The community project that is intended to attract a wider range of ages into the Downtown East Lansing area, was met with skepticism when East Lansing city resident Christine Root commented on her concerns of taxpayers supporting a proposed sports bar, and suite floor office space for the Strathmore Development Company.

“I have no doubt that a sports bar would make it financially,” said Root, “but I cannot imagine that a majority of the people of this city would want to subsidize a sports bar.”

East Lansing City Mayor Diane Goddeeris said after the meeting that the citizens have been watching this project closely over the past four years and that the council is working on their due-diligence process.

Mayor Goddeeris said that the site cannot move forward till the development agreement is approved and the council is satisfied. 

The due-diligence process entails employing outside contractors and specialists to research the site and the plan to ensure economically, and structurally the building is what the city will ultimately want and need, according to Councilman Donald Power.

The final decision on the City Center II project will be made Tuesday, July 31, 2012 where they will either move to continue with the project, or move to forgo the project and pursue other development options.