OKEMOS - At the June 2nd Township Board meeting, the selected proposal to redevelop "The Marc" and former Central Fire Station property on Okemos Road was introduced and discussed. The property has been for sale since April 2015.

A 10-person committee
consisting of the chairperson of the Meridian Township Economic Development Corporation (EDC), two representatives from the Meridian Township Downtown Development Authority (DOA), three members of the Township Board, two members of the Planning Commission, the Township Manager, and a resident of the adjacent downtown Okemos neighborhood reviewed three proposals for the area.

The committee unanimously selected the proposal from developer Kris Elliott of Evergreen Companies, a local developer with a strong reputation to provide a concept plan for the property.

Not only did Elliott have the highest bid, he also has a number of successful establishments in the area including Peppino's in East Lansing, Troppo Tavern in Lansing, and the Leo's restaurants+.

"The board gave our Township Manager permission to form a committee to review different proposals that we got from potential buyers. So when we put the project out to bid, we said any offers will be subject to approval by the Township Board because that's who ultimately makes the decisions to sell public land," said Peter Menser, Associate Planner of Meridian Township.

The selected proposal that will entail purchasing and redeveloping the properties and will construct a 2,500 square foot addition converting it into a restaurant with outdoor seating. The concept plan also shows an apartment building with a maximum of 18 units and parking lot on the property.

“There is no brown field or tax abatement credits, and it’s a very credible developer. It’s a cash sale with very little strings attached and a desire to move immediately on the redevelopment from this," said Chris Buck, a spokesperson for the Okemos Redevelopment Committee.

And the Township Board seemed pleased with Elliott’s proposal, citing it would be just what downtown Okemos needs.

“It’s forward thinking because it’s actually looking at the parking, it was the only that looked at surface parking and said we can build above this. So their proposal actually shows a mixed-use building above the parking,” said Township Clerk, Brett Dreyfus.

If the Township Board votes to move ahead with the purchase, staff will begin working with the developer to outline project reviews and schedule a public hearing with the Planning Commission.