Government

Above: Rashida Tlaib speaking to Council tonight; immediately to the left of her is Dr. Abdalmajid Katranji, who also spoke.

Image: Some of the properties set to be auctioned tomorrow.

Today a judge in Cuyahoga County Court in Ohio denied a motion by City Center II Project, LLC and the Park District Investment Group, LLC (PDIG) to issue an injunction that would have stopped the mortgage foreclosure auction scheduled on July 30 regarding property in the Park District in East Lansing that has been a blight on the west end of downtown for many years.

Image: Arrows indicate some of the PDIG Park District properties facing foreclosure next week

Image: The Lodges of East Lansing, a student rental complex near MSU whose real estate taxes actually go to Meridian Township; the large project was built without TIF.

Above: Eliot Singer

When one thinks about influential people in city governmental affairs, one might picture local elected officials, high-ranking city staff, or maybe wealthy business owners. What one probably wouldn’t picture is someone like Eliot Singer: a bespectacled, white-bearded folklorist, often spotted crossing campus and town with the aid of his walking sticks.

Image: Richard Crittenden outside his home with one of the yard signs he had produced

The Lansing Board of Water and Light (BWL) has filed a lawsuit against the East Lansing homeowner who initiated a yard sign campaign to push back against what that homeowner called an overly aggressive “vegetation management” campaign by the electric utility.

Image: Architect’s drawing of the structure planned for the northwest corner of Grand River and Spartan Avenues

East Lansing’s City Council has approved a proposal to build a new six-story building at the northwest corner of Grand River and Spartan Avenues, and the developer says he will soon be back to ask for Brownfield Tax Increment Financing (TIF) to help finance construction.

Image: Architect’s rendering of the plan for 565 East Grand River

Council last night considered plans for a new downtown development that aims architecturally to reflect the Broad Museum, which stands kitty-corner to the site. The developer told Council last night he plans to seek Tax Increment Financing (TIF) and said he wants to know more about what Councilmembers want in the project before he proceeds.

Above: Architect’s drawing of the planned new building

Over strong objections from people who live across from the project site, East Lansing’s City Council last night approved plans for a new Lake Trust Credit Union building on the southeast corner of the Lake Lansing Meijer parking lot. The vote was 4-0 in favor.

Image: Nathan Triplett and Susan Woods during the Council debate last November on campaign donation disclosure

As ELi previously reported as part of our regular, in-depth City Council coverage for our readers, last November the current City Council debated “how, if at all, it should work to make sure East Lansing citizens know from whom Councilmembers have taken campaign contributions.”

Image: The blighted PDIG-owned property now scheduled for a mortgage foreclosure sale and the subject of an additional lawsuit.