UPDATE: MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - The former Central Fire Station and The Marc property in Downtown Okemos have officially been sold to developer Kris Elliott from Evergreen Companies.

Now that the sale is complete, Elliot will begin to organize site plans for his re-development for the property.

"It's kind of his vision for the sight so everything from where is the driveway going to be, how is the parking going to be configured, where exactly on the building is the is the doors and ya know everything about the property...what kind of landscaping are they going to do?" Associate Planner for Meridian Township, Peter Menser stated.

However, before any construction begins a formal plan for re-development must be submitted and a demolition permit granted by the Township.

ORIGINAL STORY: MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP -
Meridian Township has some major plans for the old, beat up Central Fire Station and The Marc building located in Downtown Okemos.

The fire station was previously a public library for quite some time and eventually became extremely torn up and destroyed over the years.

"It's in really bad shape...everything from leaking ceilings to just poor conditions in the building," stated Peter Menser, Associate Planner for Meridian Township.

On the other hand, The Marc building was formerly a bank here in Okemos, as well as a business resource center.

The Township has re-zoned both the fire station and Marc building to "commercial" as both properties were previously in the "residential" category.

The Township reached a decision to sell the properties to developer Kris Elliott from Evergreen Companies. Elliott is known for his developments such as the popular restaurant "Troppo" in East Lansing.

As of right now, Elliott has plans to demolish the old fire station, add on to The Marc building and soon create a tavern and tap restaurant.

"We're thrilled and excited to get some action in Downtown Okemos. It's a long time coming," Menser said.

And as far as plans for the fire station goes...

"The property where the fire station currently sits would be a multiple family development so that could be...we're not sure exactly what kind of form that's going to take whether it be condos, apartments, like row housing vertically stacked...we're just not sure how that will be but it will be some kind of residential component," Menser stated.

The Township is currently working with Elliott to close on the property sometime in October and once that's finalized, Elliott intends to tear down the old fire station in early November.

However, before any construction begins, Elliott must first submit a formal plan for re-development to the Township.