Multi-million dollar overhaul planned for blighted Dunckel Rd. gateway into Lansing

There are many entry points into the city of Lansing. Some of them, like the transition points between Holt and Lansing, and East Lansing and Lansing, are hard to pinpoint - if there wasn't a sign to tell you you'd moved from one city to another you wouldn't even know it. And some of them, coming in from the surrounding farmlands, are quite scenic.

But there are a few that can be quite an eyesore. And from a visitor's perspective, the effect can be less-than-lovely. Which is why the overhaul planned for the Dunckel Rd gateway into Lansing is going to have such a positive impact on the city.

For over a decade, an apartment building designed for student housing has sat decaying near the the Collins and Dunckel road intersection. That's about to change, though. Waypoint Residential, a Florida-based developer, has received the go-ahead to construct a multimillion dollar multi-family housing community. The 286-unit development will include a clubhouse, tuck under garage parking, an outdoor pool, along with outdoor courtyards and grilling stations, and for dog owners in the future community there'll be an enclosed outdoor dog run and park.

"Lansing was the perfect market for this. Waypoint identified Lansing as a great development target market based on several favorable factors, like a growing economy and lots of opportunities for multifamily developments in the future." says Nick Kowieski, the Development Manager for Monroe Residential Partners. "We plan to break ground by the end of the fall, and it should take about twenty months for everything to be move in ready."

The community is expected to meet the housing needs of the many nurses, doctors and medical professional who'll be working at the new $450 million McLaren Health Campus, which is being built near MSU's campus. This housing development will provide Lansing with 5 to 8 new permanent jobs, in addition to the over 200 temporary jobs that constructing the housing complex will provide.

Over all, this new development will be a great benefit to the city Lansing, says Brian McGrain, the Director of Economic Development and Planning for the City of Lansing. "It'll be cleaning up a long-vacant property, while simultaneously adding housing options for the city residents. Also, money is being put aside as part of the development agreement that'll be used by the City to enhance a major entrance on the southwest side of town."

So keep an eye out in the coming months, if you happen to drive by this part of town. You'll likely see some exciting developments underway.


Source: Victoria Meadows, Marketing, Communications, and Talent Director, LEAP
Wtiter: Sarah Hillman, News Editor, Capital Gains

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