Spartan Newsroom (https://news.jrn.msu.edu/category/news/business/construction-development/)
The first residents of an $11 million housing and commercial development on Lansing’s east side are expected to move in by Nov. 1. The Allen Place mixed-incoming housing development is the culmination of 14 years of work by the nonprofit Allen Neighborhood Center.
The first stores of the $200 million Delta Crossing development on more than 200 acres at Interstate 96 and West Saginaw Highway in Delta Township opened to shoppers on Sept. 16.
RAPIDS RESTORATION: Efforts are underway to restore the namesake rapids in downtown Grand Rapids, a drive that proponents say will create recreational, economic, tourism and ecological benefits. The Grand, the state’s longest river, runs from Hillsdale County through Lansing and Grand Rapids to Grand Haven on Lake Michigan. Experts from the Grand Rapids Public Museum, MSU Extension and Grand Rapids Development Center explain. By Kristia Postema. FOR GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS, HILLSDALE, HOLLAND, LANSING CITY PULSE, IONIA, CORP! GREENVILLE, WKTV and ALL POINTS.
WORKSPACE: Some of the remote work brought on by the pandemic is having a long-term impact reshaping Michigan downtowns and traditional office spaces. Libraries and coffee shops will continue to be alternative workspaces, experts say. Already, collaborative spaces in Michigan libraries are seeing higher traffic, sparking a library revival. We talk to state economic developers, downtown experts and the head of the Michigan Library Association By Cameryn Cass. FOR CORPS!, GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS JOURNAL AND BUSINESS SECTIONS AT ALL POINTS
PARK ACCESS: Trails that can accommodate strollers, wheelchairs with tank treads and baby changing stations in mens’ bathrooms are part of a push to accommodate a surge of new visitors at Michigan state parks.The parks system has taken an interest in serving new parents, people with physical disabilities and people who live in urban areas of the state, Department of Natural Resources officials said. We interview DNR officials,
GRAVELMINING: Proposed state regulation of sand and gravel mining wrestles control from local authorities and could lead to a similar loss of authority elsewhere, according to local and environmental officials. We interview the state Sierra Club, a Howell lawmaker and the Michigan Municipal League. BY JOSEPH DUNGEROW. FOR ALL POINTS.
PFAS TESTING: Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy is expanding its testing capacity for monitoring a family of so-called “forever chemicals,” PFAS. For several years, the department’s state laboratory in Lansing has been able to check only drinking water for PFAS contamination. That gives Michigan the opportunity to become a national leader in PFAS action response. By McKoy Scribner. FOR MONTMORENCY, ALCONA, MICHIGAN FARM NEWS AND ALL POINTS.
ADOPT-A-FOREST: Every year, tons of trash is illegally dumped in Michigan’s public lands, but a state program has been running for three decades to mitigate the problem. Volunteers in the DNR’s Adopt-a-Forest program are getting into the woods to clean up public lands. By McKoy Scribner. FOR ALL POINTS.
The demand for houses has been on a steady rise since in-person activities have returned, however, the number of houses hasn’t increased, making it a seller’s market in Detroit. Home sellers are ready to welcome buyers to browse and sell to the highest bidder.
“We had a week of open houses, but we got an offer on like the third day,” said Leah Yankee, a resident of North Rosedale Park. “Several people told me it would go fast but it went very quickly.”
Yankee sold her home in July and said buying her current home was just as competitive as selling her previous home.
“I do know that home prices are high right now, and our home was considered a ‘hot home’,” said Yankee. “My understanding seems to be North Rosedale Park is maybe getting a little hip, but there was somebody else that looked at it before us and we were very anxious.”
United States housing market patterns by the National Association of Realtors
Byron Suggs, a realtor and mortgage specialist at Paramount Mortgage Group, said the housing shortage is due to a buildup of demand without distributing any supply for about a year.
“It’s a seller’s market like never seen before,” said Suggs. “I think the main thing is it’s taken a long time to catch up from the lack of inventory started last year.”
Suggs said for the past year sellers haven’t been comfortable allowing buyers into their homes and buyers haven’t been comfortable purchasing without seeing the house in person.
“The thing is, with the way the market is, you got a nice home and put it on the market, you’re going to get several offers over the weekend,” said Suggs.
The city of Lansing developed a traffic model that would convert one-way streets into two-way streets. After receiving a $3.3 million grant to pay for the needed changes, the city of Lansing started the beginning phases of the project. Andrew Kilpatrick, public service director for the city of Lansing, said he believes that the change will be positive.
“It will definitely make things less confusing for those not familiar with downtown,” said Kilpatrick. “Generally, there is a positive correlation between two-way traffic and retail businesses and the economics of the area.”
Lansing City HallAbove is a map of the roads that are being effected by the conversion. The conversion will take place over the next few years.
COASTAL EROSION: Although Great Lakes water levels are down, the risk of coastal erosion remains high. MSU researchers are using a National Science Foundation grant to enlist “citizen scientists” to assist in helping better understand coastal change. They’re gathering data in Marquette, Manistique, Iosco County, Chikaming Township, Manistee and South Haven. By McKoy Scribner. FOR MARQUETTE, MANISTEE, HOLLAND, BAY MILLS, SAULT STE. MARIE, OCEANA, BENZIE, PETOSKEY, LEELANAU, HARBOR SPRINGS, ST. IGNACE, CHEBOYGAN, ALCONA, MONROE, TRAVERSE CITY, LUDINGTON, STURGIS, THREE RIVERS AND ALL POINTS.
