Daily News Story for March 3

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Written by: Melissa Domsic

$97M City Center II project may break ground this year

  

EAST LANSING - Developers and city officials have not given up hope on the prolonged City Center II project.

Scott Chappelle, president of Strathmore Development Co., said he expects to close on construction financing in the next 60 days. He would not provide further details.
City Center II would span about 5.5 acres from Grand River Avenue and Abbot Road to Valley Court Park. Plans include a hotel, residential units, office space, retail space and a performing arts theater.
The mixed-use complex has been in the works for several years as developers have struggled to secure financing in the tight credit market.
The latest estimates peg the project cost at $97 million, Chappelle said.
"We do feel that we have the means to move the project forward," Chappelle said. "We're currently in the process of finalizing architectural and engineering issues."
Chappelle said he hopes to break ground sometime this year.
But there are still issues that need to be worked out.
Owners of the seven properties on the City Center II site owe about $128,084 in delinquent 2010 property taxes.
Chappelle said the taxes would be paid off when he finalizes the construction financing in the next 60 days.
The site plan and special use permit expire in April.
The East Lansing planning commission on March 9 will consider a one-year extension of the site plan and special use permit, said City Manager Ted Staton.
"After many years in the planning process and a couple years in the financing process because of the collapse of the commercial credit markets, we're excited that it looks like the project has a fighting chance to be financed here over the next few months," Staton said.
Read Thursday's Lansing State Journal for more on this report.

Daily News post for March 1st

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Polar Plunge expected to raise $70,000 for Special Olympics

The clouds were pale gray. The landscape: snowy white.
But the crowd at Sunday's Polar Plunge was, in a word, colorful.
There was the team dressed like condiments: yellow mustard, red ketchup, a green pickle.
One team was done up in Mardi Gras masks and beads with hues of purple, gold and green.
And there were Brian Powe and Doug Buxton. Powe, 34, of DeWitt, and Buxton, 39, of Lansing, sported dark blue overalls and bright yellow body paint to mimic the minions in movie "Despicable Me."
They cheerfully waited their turn to dive into the icy waters of the pond at Eagle Eye Golf Course along with the "leader," Ed White, 34, of Ovid, and more than 400 other crazily clad polar plungers. Each paid at least $50 for the privilege, with proceeds going to Special Olympics.
Why do it?
"It raises money for a good cause," White said.
"It's the excitement of doing something you wouldn't normally do," Powe said.
"This is a million times better than watching TV at home," Buxton said.
Jeff "Jaybird" Cole of Mason, whose daughter, Jenna, 21, competes in Special Olympics, dressed in a frilly French maid's outfit, complete with fishnet stockings and a cap made from a plunger and a plume.
The ensemble was particularly striking, as he's 6 feet, 4 inches tall and completely bald.
"I've jumped every year," Cole said. Sunday's jump was the seventh annual. He has leapt into the water dressed as Santa, a cheerleader, a pirate in drag.
"I was a hula dancer a couple of years ago," he said.
The good cause keeps him coming back.
"Somebody had a T-shirt that said, 'freezin' for a reason,' and that's what this is."
Divers were only in the icy water for a moment, watched over by rescue divers and emergency personnel.
Tyler Wise, 23, a recent Alma College graduate, had just three words to describe his plunge as he headed back towards shelter wrapped in a blanket.
"It was cold," he said.
And then he uttered the words that organizers love to hear: "I can't wait 'til next year."
Valerie Suszko, Area 8 fundraising chairwoman for Special Olympics, said the organization expected to raise about $70,000 through the event. Sponsored by Law Enforcement Torch Run, the East Lansing event is one of 24 plunges around the state.
Suszko said the local event has gotten larger each year.
"It has pretty much doubled in size," she said. "We have lots of wonderful supporters."