OKEMOS - The Village of Okemos Project, which was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, is now in full-swing with new things to come in spring 2021.

According to Kate Snyder, the principal strategist of Piper & Gold, as soon as spring hits the last of the environmental remediation will be finished, which is to break up the parking lots, curbs, sidewalks and remove any additional waste.

Starting in the fall of 2021, construction will begin on putting in utilities, rebuilding the curbs and sidewalks, roadwork, and putting in foundations: all of the things needed to get the site ready for building structures. The development team is projecting to start the vertical construction, meaning the actual buildings themselves, in spring in 2022.

Snyder said there are a handful of other things to expect in the upcoming years. Okemos Road from Mount Hope Road to Grand River Avenue including the bridge, and work along Grand River Avenue, are planned to be under construction in early 2022.

In a most recent update provided by Snyder, it said by timing the construction together the development team can minimize the impact on people who live in the area as much as possible.

The update also said the vision for the Village of Okemos Project remains the same. Hamilton Road will have a town square feel, shifting the focus away from the Okemos Road intersection to allow it to be walkable and more family-friendly.

The update said the goal is for unique local boutiques, restaurants and cafes to fill Hamilton Road and for people to be able to live in luxury apartments and townhomes right above and beside the places they want to visit.