Logo of the state’s OK2SAY program

Schools aim for better safety

SCHOOL SAFETY: School districts are taking measures to enhance safety and prevent violence in their buildings in the aftermath of shootings, including the state’s worst one at Oxford High School in Oakland County. We hear from the St. Ignace superintendent, the Michigan School Business Officials and the OK2SAY program. By Brandy Muz. FOR ST. IGNACE, SAULT STE. MARIE, MARQUETTE, CHEBOYGAN, DETROIT AND ALL POINTS.

The People’s Church experiences unexpected turnout at Trunk or Treat event

The second annual Trunk or Treat event hosted by The People’s Church in East Lansing had an unexpectedly large turnout on Saturday, Oct. 28. Many members of The People’s Church gathered on Saturday evening to celebrate Halloween with their community. The Trunk or Treat event was described as a safe alternative for families to enjoy in addition to the classic trick-or-treating tradition. Some attendees said this alternative to trick-or-treating has become increasingly popular. 

East Lansing City Council denies proposal for Bailey Lot development

On Oct. 17, the East Lansing City Council denied a proposal that would allow the construction of a five-story “workforce housing” project built by American Community Developers (ACD) on the 500-Block of Albert Avenue, also known as Bailey Lot 11. Despite the vote, the city council still plans on developing the area. The big requirement for the future development of the Bailey Lot, according to East Lansing councilmember Michael Krueger, is maintaining parking availability for residents and employees. 

Affordable Housing x Parking Spots: Business Owners Concerned Over Impacts of New Project 

The East Lansing City Council met on Tuesday, Oct. 3, for their first of two Regular Council meetings this month. During the meeting, the council listened to speeches from East Lansing residents about the upcoming vote to approve the construction of a five-story affordable housing apartment building at 530 Albert Avenue in Downtown East Lansing.  

The council was initially scheduled to vote on the proposal during the meeting, but, a decision to move the vote to the Oct. 17 meeting was met with frustration from the crowd where many guests protested the decision to delay the vote and left the meeting. 

The majority of the people who spoke argued that the building of this proposed project would have a “devastating” effect on the local businesses in the Downtown East Lansing area due to the lack of parking that would be available for the businesses in its vicinity. People expressed their concerns that if the council approves the construction of the apartment building, local businesses that are thriving will eventually close.

Grove and Burcham’s rezoning was denied. That may not be the end of this dispute

East Lansing City Council denied Hagan Realty’s rezoning plan for properties on the 700 block of Grove Street in September 2023. The proposal would have changed the neighborhood structure since it would increase the density of the housing options. Hagan reality was “disappointed by the result,” but they aren’t giving up new projects for that area.

East Lansing Brownfield Redevelopment Authority prepares for Kansas State technical assistance

On September 28, the Brownfield Redevelopment Authority (BRA) held a committee meeting discussing the future of brownfield sites in the city. The committee discussed the upcoming involvement of Kansas State University’s program Technical Assistance to Brownfields (TAB), which helps locate and plan development projects around brownfield sites.

East Lansing residents oppose potential affordable housing

A new plan for affordable housing in East Lansing led to public disproval at the city council meeting on Oct. 3. Residents voiced their concerns about a potential development at 530 Albert Ave. It was expected that there would be a council vote on the building plan following a public hearing, but the agenda was changed at the beginning of the meeting. “I’ll move approval of the agenda with a couple of changes here,” East Lansing Mayor Ron Bacon said.

ELIPOC holds community workshop to address use-of-force concerns

The East Lansing Independent Police Oversight Committee recently held a workshop to gather input from residents on what actions the East Lansing Police Department should take to “minimize use of force and eliminate its disproportionate use with people of color.”

The workshop, led by seasoned facilitators Carlton Evans and Doak Bloss, was meant to generate ideas from residents which, after being compared with ELPD’s current policies, will be converted into concrete policy recommendations by ELIPOC. A subsequent meeting on Nov. 1 will be held to ensure those recommendations reflect the wishes of the community. During the meeting, members of the community worked in small groups to create policy goals which were then presented to the meeting. The most common suggestions included emphasizing de-escalation practices during training and a stronger system for internal accountability within the police department.