A newsletter for East Lansing residents • May 2017

COMMUNITY EVENTS PLANNING East Lansing Farmer’s Market to An Update on Open Sunday, June 4 Development

Th e 2017 season of the East Lansing Th e ELFM is a growers-only market located A number of development projects are currently Farmer’s Market (ELFM) kicks off this in an inviting, open-air park atmosphere. underway or are slated to break ground soon in June in Valley Court Park, 280 Valley Th e market is a quick walk or bike ride away the City of East Lansing. Court. Market days will take place June from several neighborhoods and is steps Construction has begun on a 156,170-square- 4-Oct. 29 on Sundays from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. away from downtown East Lansing and the foot Costco Wholesale Warehouse at 5800 Park Community members are encouraged to MSU campus. Lake Road. Th e project site will also include a mark their calendars for opening day on Th is year’s vendor lineup includes a great freestanding gas station and three outlots for Sunday, June 4. Th e fi rst 150 customers mix of returning and new vendors. Th e future development. Construction of the Costco to attend the market on opening day will 2017 vendors include Applegarth Honey, is expected to be completed by this fall. receive a FREE, reusable ELFM tote. Beagle’s Cafe & Bakery, Th e Cheese People Th e Liberty Hyde Bailey Center project broke In addition, there will be live music and of Grand Rapids, Circle F Ranch, Corrion ground last fall and is also slated for completion children’s activities. Farms, Fire and Rice, ..... continued on page 2 this fall. In addition to renovating the front of the former Bailey Community Center, the one-story addition has been torn down and a new three-story addition is being built. At completion, the building will house 30 senior apartment units, 9,000 square feet of low-traffi c commercial/daycare space, offi ce space and a renovated community space in the former gym. Two other projects currently underway include 565 E. Grand River Ave.; a fi ve-story, mixed-use building being built on the former Taco Bell site in downtown East Lansing; and the MSU Federal Credit Union headquarters expansion in the Northern Tier. Both are slated for Th e market’s 2017 season will run June 4-Oct. 29 on Sundays fr om 10 a.m.-2 p.m. in Valley Court Park. completion this August...... continued on page 2

Summer Solstice Jazz Festival to Take One Book, One Community 2017 IN THIS ISSUE Place this June ...... 3 Selection Announced ...... 6

Guest Column: Help Bring a Pop-Up 2017 Crystal Awards Recipients City of East Lansing Community Events Library to East Lansing ...... 2 Announced ...... 4 Summer Program ...... 7 Dialog Newsletter May 2017

GUEST COLUMN Help Us Bring a Pop-Up Library to East Lansing

It would be wonderful if libraries had all the money they needed to operate and be innovative; however, the reality is that New this year! Th ere will be ELFM Passports for kids and adults to pick up at the market information tent. many struggle to keep up with the rising FARMER’S MARKET costs of materials, staff and technology. Th e El Burrito Mexicano, Droscha Tongue Huggers, Trillium Wood Farm, East Lansing Public Library (ELPL) is no Sugarbush, Th e Fresh Lake Whitefi sh Wildfl ower Eco Farm, Wooden Shoe exception to this reality and that is why we Company, Good Eats Diva, Hickory Herb Farm, 517 Coff ee Company, 45th work so hard at fundraising. Th anks to the Knoll Farms Creamery, Jenny’s Sweets Parallel Pickle Company, Better Finds, community’s support, this year’s Books, & Treats, Th e Local Epicurean, MI For the Love of Grain, Guiding Light Bites & Bids raised $20,000 to help bring Pops, Michigan Soda Company, Owosso Garlic Farm, Sapo De Solis, Small House a Pop-Up Library to East Lansing. It was a Organics, Pregitzer Farm Market, Rasch and Tomac Pumpkins. record amount for the event, but two-thirds Orchards, Rust Belt Roastery, Stone of the funds still need to be raised to make Visit www.cityofeastlansing.com/ Circle Bakehouse, Swallowtail Farm, the Pop-Up Library a reality. farmersmarket to learn more. For those unfamiliar with Pop-Up Libraries, they are low-speed, electric vehicles specially customized to transport and display library materials. Bringing DEVELOPMENT UPDATE a Pop-Up Library to East Lansing will Recently, East Lansing City Council at 341-345 Evergreen Ave, featuring provide ELPL with the opportunity to approved the plans for the redevelopment 66 residential condos and two levels of extend its reach outside of the library of the Howard Johnson hotel site at parking. Th e developer will be seeking walls at special community events and 1100 Trowbridge Road. Th e project approval of state incentives this July and, destinations throughout the community, will include a four-story, extended-stay pending the outcome, it is anticipated such as the East Lansing Farmer’s Market, Springhill Suites by Marriott and a that demolition will begin this summer the East Lansing Family Aquatic Center, single-level retail building. Demolition and construction will begin next spring. schools, senior communities, area festivals is expected to begin soon, with Another redevelopment project proposed and more. construction underway by this summer. for downtown East Lansing is the Center Community members who were unable to City Council also recently approved City District project. Th e development make it to this year’s Books, Bites & Bids the Park District Planning Area team proposes to redevelop two acres of can still donate to our fundraising eff ort redevelopment project. Th e developer property within the 100 and 200 blocks by donating a vehicle “part” to the library. plans to demolish the properties at 100- of E. Grand River Avenue and the Albert Th ere are many parts at diff erent price 140 W. Grand River Ave. and build a Avenue parking lot. Th e project, which is points and donations of any amount are new 11-story mixed-use building with still in the review stages, would include welcome! Learn more at www.elpl.org or by two levels of parking. Th e building will a Target, senior and mixed-market stopping in or calling us at (517) 351-2420. include a 150-room hotel, retail space, housing, street-level retail, a parking 197 mixed-market rental units and structure and new utility infrastructure. Kristin Shelley a rooft op terrace. Th e developer also For more information, visit www. East Lansing Public Library Director plans to build a new fi ve-story building cityofeastlansing.com/development.

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PARKS & RECREATION “Our East Lansing Lifeguard Team lifeguards are Receives Platinum Safety Award extensively trained in order to make quick, For the third year in a row, the East Lansing Department of Parks, Recreation & Arts (ELPRA) lifeguard team has received Jeff Ellis & Associates’ prestigious Platinum smart decisions in International Aquatic Safety Award. emergency situations.” Based on four unannounced safety audits conducted by Ellis & Associates last year, the award puts the East Lansing lifeguard team in the top 10 percent of all facilities in the country ELPRA Aquatics/Athletics that train under the lifeguarding principles of Ellis & Associates as it relates to aquatic safety. Coordinator Jim “We would like to congratulate our entire lifeguard team for their hard work and dedication to Jennings aquatic safety in the East Lansing community,” said ELPRA Director Tim McCaff rey. “Patrons of the East Lansing Family Aquatic Center and the East Lansing Hannah Community Center’s indoor pool should feel reassured in knowing that they are consistently being aff orded with the highest level of swimmer protection.” Th e East Lansing Family Aquatic Center (ELFAC) will open for its 2017 season on Saturday, June 3 at 11 a.m. Th e 2017 season will run from June 3-Sept. 4. ELFAC features a number of interactive water features, including tube and body water slides, a diving board, a splash park and much more. Community members can fi nd hours, rates and additional information at www.cityofeastlansing.com/AquaticCenter.

COMMUNITY EVENTS Summer Solstice Jazz Festival to Take Place this June

Festival season kicked off with the East Albert Avenue Lot, 230 Albert Ave.; Ann Line Parade, starting at 3:10 p.m. Festival Lansing Art Festival and will continue this Street Plaza (corner of Albert and M.A.C. goers are invited to enjoy live performances June with the Summer Solstice Jazz Festival avenues); FieldHouse, 213 Ann St.; and the in Broad’s Sculpture Garden and then join (SSJF), presented by the City of East Eli & Edythe Broad Art Museum, 547 E. in the Second Line Parade procession, led Lansing and the MSU College of Music. Circle Drive. Th e festival hours are 4 p.m.-1 by the Gabriel Brass Band, from the Broad Th e SSJF will transform downtown East a.m. on Friday, June 23 and noon-1 a.m. on to Ann Street Plaza. Lansing into a world class jazz venue Saturday, June 24. Th is year’s headliners will include Dafnis featuring the best in local, regional, In addition to the stage performances Prieto on Friday and Randy Gelispie, national and international jazz musicians. in downtown East Lansing, Saturday’s Fareed Haque, Tony Monanco, Tim Th e two-day, free event will be taking festivities will kick off at the Eli and Edythe Warfi eld and Michael Dease on Saturday. place June 23-24 at multiple venues in Broad Art Museum with the Kozmic View the full lineup and festival schedule at and around downtown, including the Picnic, starting at noon, and the Second www.eljazzfest.com.

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IT’S YOUR BUSINESS Blaze Pizza Opens in East Lansing

Blaze Pizza recently opened a new location at 437 E. Grand River Ave. in downtown East Lansing. Th e California-based pizza chain specializes in fast-fi re’d, custom-built artisanal pizzas. Customers can pick their own toppings or choose from a number of signature pizzas. Toppings range from classics like pepperoni, mozzarella, onions, peppers and mushrooms to the more inventive like crumbled meatballs, zucchini, arugula, Th e 2017 Crystal Awards recipients are pictured above. gorgonzola and more. Th ere are also vegan and gluten free options as well as a variety of sauces. In addition to COMMUNITY EVENTS pizza, Blaze’s menu includes salads, desserts and drinks. “We are excited to welcome Blaze Pizza to downtown 2017 Crystal Awards East Lansing,” said East Lansing Downtown Management Board Coordinator Amy Schlusler. Recipients Announced “Th is new business adds to the great mix of shops and restaurants in our vibrant downtown.” Four deserving recipients were honored for their contributions to the East Lansing community at the 2017 Crystal Awards reception, held this past April. Th is year’s recipients included Abbott Nursery School and Director Mary Howard, Mike Wylie, Michael Moquin and Gary Beaudoin. Abbott Nursery School has been an East Lansing institution since 1967. Th e long-serving staff at the school, including Director Mary Howard, have made it a loving and caring place for children. At a young age, the children learn the importance of being kind and giving to those in need through a variety of charitable giving activities. Mike Wylie is an integral member of the downtown East Lansing merchant community who served for several years on the Downtown Management Board and continues to dedicate his time and talents to making the downtown a thriving destination. Michael Moquin served as the chair of the East Lansing Financial Health Review Team in 2016. He organized and BLAZE PIZZA helped oversee the work of the group, attended more than 60 Address: 437 E. Grand River Ave. meetings over an 11-month period and authored the team’s fi nal report. His countless hours of volunteer service, along Website: www.blazepizza.com with the hard work of the entire team, will go a long way toward helping to address the City’ fi nancial challenges. Phone: (517) 574-5910 Gary Beaudoin’s name has become synonymous with Social Media: @BlazePizza “pickleball” in the East Lansing community. He started up and continues to be actively involved in a community pickleball Hours: program and helped raise community funds to bring new Sunday-Wednesday, 11-12 a.m. pickleball courts to Patriarche Park. Thursday-Saturday, 11-4 a.m. Community members can read more about this year’s recipients at www.cityofeastlansing.com/crystalawards.

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DEPARTMENT FEATURE PUBLIC WORKS A Look Inside Planning, Building Recycle! East & Development Lansing

From issuing building permits to processing all development projects Recycle! East Lansing provides East processing development projects, for the East Lansing community, from Lansing residents with a one-stop spot to managing the downtown parking system initial planning approvals all the way recycle all of those not-so-easy-to-recycle and more, the East Lansing Department through certifi cates of occupancy when items and donate common household of Planning, Building & Development construction is completed. A tremendous items. Th is year’s rain-or-shine event will keeps busy year round providing amount of work goes on behind the take place on Saturday, June 3 from 8 important services to the East Lansing scenes when it comes to new development a.m.-3 p.m. at the Abbott Center, 1400- community. or redevelopment, including zoning 1500 Abbot Road. Community members Th e department consists of 26 full-time review, building plan review, building are asked to show proof of East Lansing and 17 part-time employees working in and trade (plumbing, electrical, residency. fi ve divisions, including Planning and mechanical) permits and inspections. Items that will be accepted include small Zoning, Community and Economic Planning staff also handles all of appliances, clothing, shoes, books, scrap Development, Housing and University the City’s economic development metal, scrap wood, polystyrene, bikes, Relations, Building and Code and activities and manages the City’s federal medication, cell phones, electronics and Downtown Parking. From a numbers Community Development Block Grant more. While most items are accepted free of standpoint, the department averages and Human Services Grant programs. charge, there are some items that require a nearly 2,000 building and trade permits A lesser known fact about the f e e . R e s i d e n t s c a n fi n d m o r e i n f o r m a t i o n a t a year, inspects close to 1,700 rental department is that the City’s building www.cityofeastlansing.com/RecycleEL. properties (9,800 housing units) at and trade inspectors also perform Volunteers interested in lending a hand at least once every 13 months, manages plumbing, electrical and mechanical the event can call (517) 337-9459. downtown’s 2,400-space parking inspections in Meridian Township. system and oversees 12 diff erent boards, By sharing these important services, commissions and task forces. effi ciencies and cost savings are realized Planning staff are also responsible for by both communities. PARKS & RECREATION Volunteer in the City’s Parks

Community volunteers are always needed for the City of East Lansing’s ongoing Environmental Stewardship Program. Community members can sign up for one or more of a series of upcoming natural area work days at which volunteers roll up their sleeves alongside City staff to restore park biotic communities by removing invasive plant species and replacing them with native species. A work day schedule and additional information about the Environmental Stewardship Program can be found at www.cityofeastlansing.com/healthyparks. Volunteers with questions can contact A group of East Lansing Department of Planning, Building & Development employees are pictured above. Heather Surface at (517) 319-6888.

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EAST LANSING PUBLIC LIBRARY The Verve Pipe to Kick off Summer Reading Program

Th e East Lansing Public Library’s (ELPL) 2017 Summer Reading Program will kick off with an exciting, free, all-ages concert featuring Th e Verve Pipe on Sunday, June 11 from 2-3 p.m. at ELPL, 950 Abbot Road. Th e Michigan-based rock band, best known for their hit “Th e Freshmen,” will be performing music from their two children’s CDs: “Are We Th ere Yet?” and “A Family Album.” Th e concert will take place in ELPL’s parking lot and community members are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and a picnic lunch. If it rains, the concert will be moved indoors. ELPL’s 2017 Summer Reading Program will run June 19-Aug. 5 and features the theme “Build A Better World.” Children, teens and adults who read and take part in fun activities as part of the program will have the opportunity to win exciting prizes all summer long. Th e program will also feature lots of fun, free events, including Animal Magic, Lego Palooza, a Story Walk in the Park and more. Th ere will be opportunities to get more information and Th e Verve Pipe performance at ELPL is sponsored by Abbott Nursery School, Impact 89FM, Woodlands Library Cooperative and a City of East Lansing Mini-Grant. sign up for the program at the concert and online at www.elpl.org.

COMMUNITY PROGRAM One Book, One Community Selection Announced

Th e City of East Lansing and Michigan on Google Earth maps and using bits of State University have announced the book fragmented memory, Saroo eventually selection for the 2017 One Book, One fi nds the place he came from and returns to Community (OBOC) program: “A Long reunite with his birth family. Way Home” by Saroo Brierley with Larry Saroo’s story became a media sensation and Buttrose. led to his book and the Oscar-nominated “A Long Way Home” is a #1 international fi lm, “Lion,” starring Dev Patel, Sunny bestseller based on the true story of author Pawar, Nicole Kidman and Rooney Mara. Saroo Brierley’s incredible journey from Community members are encouraged India to Australia and back again. to read the book and attend a number Aft er becoming lost from his family and of OBOC events planned for fall 2017, home at the tender age of fi ve, Saroo including a kick-off event featuring the struggled to survive on the notoriously author on Sunday, Aug. 27 at 7 p.m. at the rough streets of Calcutta before being East Lansing Hannah Community Center, adopted by a loving Australian couple. 819 Abbot Road. Prior to the kickoff , there Raised in their caring home, Saroo’s past will also be a special showing of “Lion” at slides away, but is never truly forgotten. the Moonlight Film Festival on Th ursday, As he grows into adulthood, he feels he is Aug. 10 at 9 p.m. in Valley Court Park. a person of two worlds - one of which is Learn more about the 2017 program at lost to him. Following train lines in India www.onebookeastlansing.com.

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East L EAST LANSING f a o n s y i n t

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Farmer’s Market

Sundays, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. June 4-October 29 Valley Court Park Bridge Card and Double Up Food Bucks Accepted

FREE! FREE! Valley Court Park Ann Street Plaza 280 Valley Court JULY Downtown EL Thursdays July 7 - Root Doctor Fridays -8/<‡SP July 14 - Paddlebots 7-9 p.m. July 6 - The Secret Life of Pets July 21 - Earthwork Music Showcase: July 13 - Pete’s Dragon The Springtails July 20 - Rogue One Jen Sygit & Sam Corbin July 27 - Sing Gifts or Creatures Red Tail Ring July 28 - Taylor Taylor $8*867‡SP August 3 - La La Land AUGUST August 10 - Lion August 4 - Starfarm August 18 - Kathleen & the Bridge St Band August 25 - Heartland Klezmorim

ZZZFLW\RIHDVWODQVLQJFRPPRRQOLJKWŚOPIHVWLYDO www.cityofeastlansing.com/summerconcerts

FREE! 7XHVGD\V‡SP Valley Court Park July 11, 18 and 25 280 Valley Court

www.cityofeastlansing.com/playinthepark

Page 7 PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID E. LANSING, MI PERMIT NO. 75

City Council 410 Abbot Road, (517) 319-6904 Mayor Mark Meadows Mayor Pro Tem Ruth Beier Councilmember Erik Altmann Councilmember Shanna Draheim Councilmember Susan W. Woods City Manager George Lahanas

Published for the information of East Lansing residents. If you have any questions, please email [email protected] or call (517) 319-6873. Visit cityofeastlansing.com/news to sign up for the quarterly e-Dialog. Get social with us! Facebook: @cityofeastlansing, Twitter: @ CityofEL, Instagram: @cityofeastlansing. Sign up for emergency notifi cations via Nixle at local.nixle.com/register.

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community events

More info at cityofeastlansing.com/communityevents. Aquatic Center Opens Summer Solstice Jazz Festival June 3 June 23-24 Th e East Lansing Family Aquatic Center, Th is two-day event transforms downtown 6400 Abbot Road, will be open June East Lansing into a world class jazz venue 3-Sept. 4. Community members can fi nd featuring the best in local, regional, national h o u r s , r a t e s a n d a d d i t i o n a l i n f o r m a t i o n a t and international jazz musicians. Learn more www.cityofeastlansing.com/AquaticCenter. at www.eljazzfest.com. Recycle! East Lansing National Night Out June 3, 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Aug. 1, 6-8 p.m. East Lansing residents can drop off their Community members are invited to the unwanted household items for recycling, reuse East Lansing Public Library for a fun night and proper disposal. Th e event is located at the out in promotion of community safety and Abbott Center, 1400-1500 Abbot Road. More awareness. Children can get an up-close look at info: www.cityofeastlansing.com/RecycleEL. police and fi re vehicles, K9s and much more! Farmer’s Market Opening Day Great Lakes Folk Festival June 4, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Aug. 11-13 Th e East Lansing Farmer’s Market will Th e MSU Museum annually hosts the take place June 4-Oct. 29 on Sundays from Great Lakes Folk Festival in downtown East 10 a.m.-2 p.m. in Valley Court Park, 280 Lansing, featuring music, dance and culture Va l l e y C o u r t . F i n d a d d i t i o n a l i n f o r m a t i o n a t from across America and around the world. www.cityofeastlansing.com/farmersmarket. More info: www.greatlakesfolkfest.net/2017. Photo by Raymond Holt, VideoGraph