Senior Life

A 12-story building next to Peoples Church, and an 8-story building for senior housing on Valley Court Park? ELi's Chris Root brings us news of what's being considered.

Residents on the northern edge of the City asked Council to require developers to install sidewalks along undeveloped properties on Coleman Road. This lead to a lively Council debate about balancing competing interests.

Above: Linda Saloff, 69,  of East Lansing had never petted a kitten before because of a lifelong fear of cats. She overcame that fear at the Senior Pets for Senior People event Friday, stroking three-month-old Letty as she was held by Sydney Babcock, 16. 

Linda Saloff is 69 years old and for every single one of those years, she has been afraid of cats. Not allergic, not ambivalent, but fearful. Until today.

ELi's Heather Paris reports on the dedication of a new downtown mural created collaboratively by East Lansing senior citizens and middle school students.

Above: Architect’s drawings of the plans for the redevelopment of the Bailey Community Center showing north and south sides

On Tuesday night, East Lansing’s City Council approved changes to the redevelopment plan for the Bailey Community Center and heard from City staff about plans for a daycare, playground equipment, and parking. City Council voted 4-0 to approve a revised application from Capital Area Housing Partnership (CAHP) for the property. (Mayor Mark Meadows was recused from the discussion and vote because he serves on the board of CAHP.)

Townhouses on Albert Street (above), photo courtesy of Hagan Realty

In a pair of unanimous votes, this week East Lansing’s City Council put through a group of zoning changes that appear designed to encourage more housing for non-students in high-density areas of the City and to discourage housing of large number of students in single dwelling units.

Image: artist’s rendering of the proposed daycare space as would exist at the redeveloped Bailey Community Center

The Capital Area Housing Partnership (CAHP) is one step closer to redeveloping the Bailey Community Center as planned. The City of East Lansing announced on behalf of the group today that CAHP “has officially received a Low Income Housing Tax Credit funding reservation from the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA)” for the project.

Above: Artist's rendition of the plan for the Grove Street Alley

The East Lansing Artist Alleys crowdfunding campaign, which officially ends at 11:59 PM tonight, has reached its $45,000 fundraising goal.

The goal was met Tuesday, November 10, two days ahead of schedule. As of this writing, $46,785 has been raised from 118 supporters. Donations came from local individuals, organizations, and businesses.

The goal is to restore the historic exterior of the old Bailey school, replace a newer one-story addition with a three-story addition, and create low-traffic commercial space (possibly including a daycare) and 25 senior independent living rental apartments.