Catch Up With Our Reporting From This Week

And just like that, July has come to an end and the streets of East Lansing will soon be bustling with the return of Michigan State University students. 

Start your August by catching up with ELi’s reporting from this week. 

Bailey street parking lot reaches a crossroads after development defeat. 

An apartment proposed to be built where the Bailey Street parking lot currently sits was rejected by the City Council earlier this month. Now, the owners of about 70% of the lot plan to block off their spaces, and wonder what they need to do to have a project approved at the site. Reporter Dustin DuFort Petty wrote about the recent rejection and what’s next for the Bailey Street parking lot. 

After having enforcement capabilities restored, ELPD has issued four loud exhaust citations this year.  

Early this year, the City Council amended an ordinance to allow ELPD to pull drivers over for having loud exhaust. ELi submitted a Freedom of Information Act request for citations to track how enforcement efforts have been going. Find out what we learned in Managing Editor Luke Day’s reporting.

Nonprofit seeks to establish East Lansing healthcare committee in city charter. 

Recently, the City Council announced a group had gathered enough signatures to place an amendment to the city charter on the ballot. The effort is led by a nonprofit organization that seeks to push six cities, including East Lansing, to establish committees that track local access to healthcare and make recommendations to policymakers. Find out what the group is proposing and what else needs to happen before the proposal goes before voters in Reporter Ayah Imran’s story.

Citizen group seeking to switch City Council elections to even-numbered years submits petition.  

A group of residents is pushing for City Council elections to be switched to November in even-numbered years, which would align local elections with presidential and mid-term election years. As council races are sometimes the only thing on the ballot under the current system, organizers are pushing for the switch to boost turnout. If the charter amendment doesn’t stumble during a state review, it could be on the November ballot. Dustin reported on the effort. 

Ask ELi: Why is my sidewalk being replaced?

This summer, work has been done for a program that bills residents for repairs to the sidewalks adjacent to their home. One resident reached out to ELi after the city said he could be charged more than $2,000 for repairs to the sidewalk next to his home – but the sidewalk looked fine to him. Dustin wrote about the conflict. 

Prime Time Seniors program sees continued growth, announces fall lineup. 

East Lansing’s Prime Time Seniors program stayed busy in July, as close to 1,000 participants enjoyed activities, classes and more. Recently, program Director Alesha Williams gave us an update on what’s in store over the next couple of months. Dustin rounded up the lineup.

Latest on Grand River, Harrison closures.  

For much of the summer, some of East Lansing’s busiest roads have been closed due to construction. Recently, the city gave an update, saying Grand River Avenue should be reopened next week and Harrison Road later in August. 

East Lansing Insider Podcast: Downtown development updates. 

Last week, the City Council voted on two apartments proposed for downtown East Lansing. Dustin and Luke talked about the council’s decision, the city’s development process and what to expect in East Lansing’s next highrise apartment building. Listen to the podcast here or on streaming services like Spotify and Apple Podcasts. 

Five city meetings are scheduled for next week. 

After a down week, things will start moving in city government as five meetings are scheduled next week. Wednesday (April 5), the Police Oversight Commission and Building Board of Appeals will each meet. Thursday (April 6), the Downtown Management Board has two meetings and the Housing Commission will gather. Meeting agendas can be found here. 

Tuesday is Election Day!

Four tax proposals, three amendments to the city charter and plenty of primary races for state and federal seats will be on the ballot Tuesday. If you still need to cast your ballot, learn what’s being decided in ELi’s Election Guide. 

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