Five developments to watch in Greater Lansing in 2023

Greater Lansing is still dealing with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, hiring woes, rising interest rates and what some economists anticipate will be a recession in 2023. Despite that, numerous developments are in the works and could come to fruition in 2023.

These projects range from mixed-use office buildings, unique retail spaces, housing and potential economic powerhouses. Each of them offer unique benefits for the Greater Lansing community.

Here are five developments to watch in the coming year:

MSU Federal Credit Union branch office, East Lansing

Estimated completion date: June 2023

This seven-story project at the intersection of Albert Avenue and Abbott Road in the heart of downtown East Lansing is nearing completion as a multi-use space.

The ground floor of the Michigan State University Federal Credit Union-branded building will contain a branch office, with community spaces, general office space and leasable tenant spaces above.

Voters approved the site’s construction in 2020 to replace an above-ground parking garage.

“Hundreds of additional people working during the daytime in downtown East Lansing is going to have numerous benefits for our economy,” said Tom Fehrenbach, director of planning, building and development for the City of East Lansing. “Those folks will become customers for our downtown that'll strengthen the backbone of our economy and help us to be resilient.”

Fehrenbach said the focus over the coming weeks will be enclosing the construction to protect it from winter weather and construction is estimated to be done by June.

The development is located next to the Dublin Square Irish Pub, which may be rebuilt as part of a new proposal from The Michaels Organization. More than 500 apartments, a new parking ramp and three multi-story buildings on the sites of the Dublin Square Irish pub and Evergreen property downtown would be included, and the pub would be rebuilt inside the tallest structure, a new 12-story building.

Trader Joe’s, Okemos

Estimated completion date: Late 2023

After months of inactivity on the site, a Meridian Townships official said the specialty grocery store is still on track to possibly open in Okemos sometime next year.

Demolition of previous buildings on the site began in March, but the area has remained visually unchanged since then.

Officials with Trader Joe's did not respond to a request for comment.

The delay has been due to supply chain issues, said Amber Clark, Meridian Township neighborhoods and economic development director. She said it’s still a “possibility” that the grocer opens next year.

Clark said she was happy Trader Joe’s decided to bring their “European market style” store to the area.

"We're very excited to have this store located here in our community,” she said. “It’s going to be a major draw and attraction.”

Clark predicts around 50 jobs will be brought to Okemos because of the development.

Trader Joe's currently has eight locations in Michigan, but the nearest to the Lansing area is nearly 50 miles away in Ann Arbor. The grocery chain offers numerous specialty items that are sure to satisfy the MSU student body – the development sits a mile east of the main campus.

This location is also found just across the street from Whole Foods, another specialty grocery store.

Temple Club lofts, Lansing

Estimated completion date: November 2022, spring 2023

Originally built in 1906, the Temple Club building in Lansing’s Old Town will now serve as a mixed-use residential and business space.

The iconic building now holds 31 single and double bedroom apartments that are currently leasing, according to developer Michigan Community Capital.

The space will also hold the main office for Michigan Community Capital and a retail space for Strange Matter Coffee, which is on track to open in the first quarter of 2023. There will also be several individual office suites for rent.

Eric Kehoe, development manager with Michigan Community Capital, said the projected community impact was important when taking on the project.

“We really try to take on those projects that other developers won't take on that are really going to be game changers for for a neighborhood or a business corridor,” he said. “This size of a building in the neighborhood is really catalytic in terms of spurring more development down Cesar Chavez.”

Kehoe said the historic building, which has served as home to several businesses and organizations throughout the years, was converted from two stories to five over the course of the $10.5 million project.

Ultium Cells electric battery plant, Delta Township

Estimated completion date: Late 2024

This massive project is a joint venture between General Motors Co. and LG Energy Solutions Michigan Inc. as company Ultium Cells. The around $2.6 billion development will serve as the Lansing area's first electric battery plant.

The development broke ground in May and the steel construction of the 2.8 million-square-foot facility will continue into spring of 2023.

Brooke Waid, communications director for Ultium, said the project will employ as many as 2,000 contractors during the construction process and 1,700 full-time high-tech jobs once completed.

“This facility represents an investment in education, community involvement, career training and infrastructure as we propel towards a more sustainable future together,” she said in a statement. “Ultium Cells is grateful for the opportunity to be a part of the Lansing community.”

Clark said the company has already, “made local contacts with various community stakeholders including local schools, community colleges, universities and community members.”

“Ultium Cells strives to be a good neighbor, partner and employer for the greater Lansing community,” she said.

The cells produced at the plant will primarily serve Chevrolet’s line of electric vehicles, including the Silverado EV and GMC Sierra EV.

The plant is scheduled to finish construction and begin production in late 2024.

Delta Crossings Phase II, Delta Township

Estimated completion date: Unknown

Delta Crossings, a $200 million project on West Saginaw Highway, will bring more retail and housing space to the area when completed.

The partially finished development currently includes Hobby Lobby, T.J. Maxx and Bobb’s Discount Furniture, among others.

The second phase of the development – which will cost $88 million – will bring At Home, a home decor store, and an Olive Garden restaurant. The development will also include over 400 apartments and townhouses.

However, the project has been on hold since May because of a dispute among developers that resulted in a lawsuit.

Developers said they were unable to comment on the project because of the litigation, but a representative for Olive Garden’s parent company told the Lansing State Journal they anticipate their location to open in the first half of 2023.

This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Trader Joe's, MSUFCU: 5 Lansing area developments to watch in 2023