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For the first time in its one
hundred and sixty year history, Lansing Township
is working to develop an extensive downtown commercial
center at Lake Lansing Road at US 127. The
Tax Increment Finance Plan and Downtown Development
Plan include policies and public investment
strategies designed to create an attractive and
functional urban environment for the Lake Lansing
Road & Wood Road Corridor.
Over the years, this corridor
has evolved into a major thoroughfare connecting
Meridian Township, East Lansing, Lansing Township,
and the City of Lansing. In response to increasing
development, the township board of trustees implemented
a planned unit development (PUD) ordinance to
facilitate extensive mixed-use development, Eastwood,
on a 196-acre site at Lake Lansing Road and US
127. The PUD is intended to foster a lively, walkable
town center. For the 28,000 residents living within
a mile of the site, Eastwood
already offers an extensive variety of restaurants
and cafes, retailers,
professional
offices, and an 18-screen
theater. In the future, residents will also
benefit from carefully planned open
space, sidewalks and landscaping, benches, bus
shelters, and other streetscape enhancements.
As the District continues to
develop additional entertainment venues, retail
and office locations, and new hotels, it will
become a regional center for work, shopping, recreation,
and hospitality serving not only local residents
and businesses, but attracting visitors from throughout
the Tri-County region and beyond.
The Charter Township of Lansing
is empowered to establish a downtown development
authority to promote economic growth and revitalization.
To this end it can issue bonds and use tax increment
financing to accomplish specific downtown development
activities enumerated in development plans such
as the
Eastwood Masterplan.
Among the many functions authorized
by state statute, the DDA may
· Plan and propose construction, renovation,
etc., of a public facility, an existing building,
or multiple family dwelling unit
· Implement procedures necessary to achieve
proposed improvements
· Enter into contracts necessary to exercise
its power
· Acquire, lease, or dispose of property
· Accept grants and donations
In Ordinance #60.1, adopted
by the Township Board on June 29th, 1993 designates
the boundaries within which the DDA may exercise
these and other powers. Within this area, the
DDA will endeavor to acquire and assemble land
to make it available for redevelopment, to make
streetscape improvements, and to construct public
facilities and infrastructure that achieve the
purposes of the plan.
Current DDA Board Members are:
Lyle Miller, Chairperson
Sue Rosenberger, Vice-Chairperson
Dayna Reynolds, Secretary/Treasurer
John Daher, Township Supervisor
Joe Droste, Resident Member
Keith Granger
Jim Sohn
Nick Uppal
Steve Wickens
For more information regarding
public improvements and future development plans,
please click on “Suggestions,
Ideas and Questions” above.
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