Transforming Downtown East Lansing

The Center City District project redeveloped the Albert Avenue parking lot and 100-200 block along E. Grand River Avenue in downtown East Lansing, positioning the area as a pedestrian-focused active living district. The project includes two new apartment complexes, a new parking structure, retail and dining and one of only 35 urban Target stores nationwide with an urban grocery option.

The development team, consisting of East Lansing’s own Ballein Family and the Chicago-based developer Harbor Bay Real Estate Advisors, originally proposed the Center City District development in February 2017. The $132 million project, which will create 57 full-time jobs and 400-500 prevailing wage construction jobs, was completed in summer of 2019. It leveraged incentives approved by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s (MEDC) Michigan Strategic Fund (MSF) and a Brownfield plan.

Funding Mechanisms

• 2015 EPA Brownfield Grant

Project Partners

• Harbor Bay Real Estate Advisors
• Ballein Family
• City of East Lansing
• Michigan Economic Development Corporation